A Sauce with a Story
I first tried chimichurri on a trip long ago. A friend grilled meat in his backyard. The smell of herbs filled the air. He poured this bright green sauce over everything. It was love at first bite.
This sauce is like a fresh garden in a bowl. It makes simple food sing. That is why this matters. A good sauce can turn a Tuesday dinner into a small party. Do you have a favorite sauce that makes everything better?
Let’s Make the Green Magic
Making the chimichurri is easy. Just chop all your fresh herbs. Put them in a bowl with oil and vinegar. Stir it all up. Doesn’t that smell amazing?
Now, let it sit for an hour or two. This wait is important. The flavors get to know each other. They become best friends. Fun fact: The vinegar in the sauce was once used to keep food fresh on long trips.
Threading the Skewers
Do not forget to soak your wooden sticks. I forgot once. We had a little campfire in the grill. I still laugh at that. It was quite a show.
Cut your steak into cubes. Toss them with a bit of the green sauce. Then push them onto the skewers. Leave a little space between each piece. This helps them cook evenly. Do you like cooking with skewers? I think it makes eating more fun.
Cooking Your Skewers
You can cook these so many ways. The air fryer is quick and easy. A grill gives them a smoky taste. Even a hot skillet on the stove works perfectly.
No matter how you cook them, do not overcook the steak. A little pink inside is tender and juicy. This is why this matters. Cooking with care shows love to the people you feed. Which cooking method will you try first?
The Simple Joy of Sharing
Put the skewers on a big plate. Bring the extra sauce to the table. Let everyone dip their own piece. The talking and laughing begins.
Food tastes better when we share it. It is a simple truth. These skewers are perfect for that. They are made for passing around. What is your favorite food to share with friends?
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Extra virgin olive oil | ½ cup (107 g) | |
| Red wine vinegar | ¼ cup (60 g) | |
| Shallot | ½ medium, finely diced | About 2 tablespoons |
| Jalapeno | 1 small, seeded and finely diced | About 2 tablespoons |
| Fresh parsley | ½ cup | Minced |
| Garlic | 1 teaspoon | Minced |
| Fresh oregano | 1 ½ teaspoons | Minced |
| Fresh basil | 1 teaspoon | Minced |
| Fresh cilantro | 1 teaspoon | Minced |
| Fresh thyme | ½ teaspoon | Minced |
| Kosher salt | ¼ teaspoon | For the sauce |
| Red pepper flakes | 1 pinch | |
| Wooden skewers | Soaked in water for 30 minutes | |
| Steak | 1 pound | Cut into 1-inch cubes (top sirloin or ribeye) |
| Kosher salt | 1 teaspoon | For the steak |
| Black pepper | ½ teaspoon | |
| Chimichurri sauce | 1 cup | From the recipe above, divided |
Chimichurri Steak Skewers: A Zesty Family Favorite
Hello, my dear! Let’s talk about these wonderful steak skewers. They always remind me of summer evenings. My grandson calls them “meat lollipops.” I still laugh at that. The secret is the chimichurri sauce. It’s a bright, herby sauce from faraway Argentina. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It makes the steak so tender and flavorful. You will love making this.
How to Make Chimichurri Steak Skewers
First, we make the magic sauce. It’s just a lot of chopping and stirring. You can do it!
Step 1: Get a large bowl. Put all the sauce ingredients right in. That’s the oil, vinegar, and all those lovely fresh herbs. Stir it all up until it looks so green and lively. I love the smell of fresh parsley. It reminds me of my garden.
Step 2: Now, you must be patient. Let the sauce sit on the counter. It needs about an hour or two. The flavors need to get to know each other. They become best friends. This is a good time to soak your wooden skewers in water. (My hard-learned tip: don’t skip soaking the skewers! Or they will turn into little black sticks in the air fryer.)
Now, for the fun part! Step 3: Take your steak cubes. Season them with salt and pepper. Then, give them a nice bath in a little of your chimichurri sauce. Just use about a quarter cup. Save the rest for later. Toss it all together in a bowl. Make sure every piece gets a little green coat. Do you think the sauce makes the meat more tender? Share below!
Step 4: Time to thread the steak onto the skewers. Do not pack the pieces too tightly. Leave a little space between each cube. This helps the heat move around. It makes the steak cook evenly. You want every bite to be perfect. I like to do this while listening to the radio. It’s a peaceful little job.
Step 5: Get your air fryer hot. Preheat it to 400°F. Then, lay your skewers in a single layer. You might need to cook them in batches. We do not want them crowded. Step 6: Cook them for about 4 to 6 minutes. Flip them halfway through. You will hear them sizzle! That is the sound of dinner being made.
Step 7: When they are done, take them out. They will be beautifully browned. Now, brush them with more of that wonderful sauce. Serve the rest for dipping. Oh, it is so good. I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine does.
| Cook Time | 6-8 minutes |
| Total Time | 1 hour 30 minutes (includes sauce rest) |
| Yield | 4 servings |
| Category | Dinner, Grilling |
Three Fun Twists to Try
This recipe is like a good friend. It is happy to change things up. Here are some fun ideas for you.
Veggie-Power Skewers Skip the steak. Use big chunks of zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms. They soak up the sauce so nicely. It is a wonderful garden feast.
Spicy Sunshine Skewers Add a whole chopped jalapeno to the sauce. Do not remove the seeds! It will have a real kick. My husband loves it this way. It makes him smile.
Summer Peach Surprise Add sweet peach chunks between the steak pieces. The sweet and savory taste is a dream. It tastes like a summer party. Which one would you try first? Comment below!
My Favorite Ways to Serve Them
These skewers are the star of the plate. But they love good company. I love to serve them on a big platter. I put a big pile of fluffy rice underneath. The extra chimichurri sauce drips down into the rice. It is so good. A simple tomato and cucumber salad is perfect on the side.
For a drink, a tall glass of iced hibiscus tea is lovely. It is fruity and not too sweet. For the grown-ups, a glass of Malbec red wine is just right. It comes from Argentina, just like the sauce! They are old friends. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Skewers Tasty for Later
Let’s talk about saving these skewers for another day. You can keep them in the fridge for up to three days. Just place them in a sealed container. I like to store the extra chimichurri sauce separately.
You can also freeze the cooked skewers for a quick future meal. Wrap them tightly in foil first. Then pop them into a freezer bag. This saves so much time on a busy night.
To reheat, use your oven or air fryer. This keeps the steak from getting tough. I once microwaved one and it turned chewy. We learn from our mistakes.
Batch cooking means a good meal is always close by. It turns cooking from a chore into a gift for your future self. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Skewer Troubles
Sometimes, wooden skewers can burn on the grill. The simple fix is to soak them in water first. I remember when I skipped this step once. We had very smoky, blackened sticks.
If your steak is tough, you might have overcooked it. Always check it a minute early. This matters because a tender steak is a joyful bite. It builds your cooking confidence.
Is your chimichurri sauce too sharp? Let it sit for an hour. The flavors will mellow and become friends. This matters for a sauce that sings with flavor, not shouts. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Chimichurri Questions Answered
Q: Is this recipe gluten-free? A: Yes, it is naturally gluten-free. Just check your vinegar labels to be sure.
Q: Can I make the sauce ahead? A: Absolutely. It gets even better after a day in the fridge.
Q: I don’t have fresh herbs. A: You can use dried. Use one-third the amount since dried is stronger.
Q: Can I double the recipe? A: Of course. It is perfect for feeding a hungry crowd at a barbecue.
Q: Is the jalapeno optional? A: Yes, you can leave it out for a milder sauce. Fun fact: The heat in a jalapeno lives in its white ribs and seeds. Which tip will you try first?
A Little Note From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope you love making these skewers as much as I do. Cooking is about sharing good food and good stories. I would be so delighted to see your creation.
Show me your beautiful, sizzling skewers. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! You can find me at TheThornyKitchen. I love seeing your family meals.
Happy cooking!
—Elowen Thorn.
Chimichurri Steak Skewers
Description
Juicy steak skewers marinated and served with a vibrant, herbaceous chimichurri sauce, perfect for grilling or air frying.
Ingredients
Chimichurri Sauce
Steak Skewers
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients. Stir well to combine.
- Let the mixture rest at room temperature for 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to develop.
- Store the sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Before using, stir to mix any separated ingredients.
- Soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Season the steak cubes with salt and pepper.
- In a medium bowl, toss the steak cubes with ¼ cup chimichurri sauce, reserving the rest for serving.
- Thread the seasoned steak cubes onto the skewers, leaving space between each piece for even cooking.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Arrange the steak skewers in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer. (Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.)
- Air fry for 4-6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until steak is browned and cooked to your desired doneness.
- Remove from the air fryer and brush with some of the reserved chimichurri sauce. Serve the rest of the sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy warm.
- Grilling: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Place the seasoned steak skewers on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the steak is browned and cooked to your desired doneness. Brush with chimichurri sauce and serve.
- Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the steak is cooked to your desired doneness. Brush with chimichurri sauce and serve.
- Skillet: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a bit of oil. Cook the skewers for 4-6 minutes per side, until the steak is browned and cooked to your liking. Brush with chimichurri sauce and serve.
Chimichurri Sauce
Steak Skewers
Alternative Cooking Methods
Notes
- For best results, let the chimichurri sauce rest for the full 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to fully develop. Soaking the skewers prevents them from burning during cooking.