Charred South American Chimichurri Steak
Juicy grilled flank steak topped with a bright, herbaceous chimichurri sauce inspired by South American flavors. This latin american-inspired beef ready in about 22 minutes pairs pounds flank steak, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds flank steak
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup tightly packed, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1/2 cup olive oil (for chimichurri)
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 1.5 pounds flank steak evenly with 1 tbsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over the steak and rub it in to coat.
- Step 2: Preheat grill to high heat (around 450°F). Place steak on grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, until the edges are nicely charred.
- Step 3: While steak grills, combine 1 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 3 tbsp red wine vinegar, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, and 1/2 cup olive oil in a bowl. Mix until emulsified and fragrant.
- Step 4: Remove steak from grill and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice thinly against the grain and spoon the chimichurri sauce generously over the top before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Charred South American Chimichurri Steak take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Charred South American Chimichurri Steak?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pounds flank steak from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Charred South American Chimichurri Steak?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Charred South American Chimichurri Steak for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Charred South American Chimichurri Steak?
Latin American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.