Pan-Seared Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce - Argentinian style dinner that you can make at home! Flank steak is cooked in lots of spices, then topped with a spoonful of Chimichurri sauce. You don’t need much sauce for each serving, because it has a pretty strong flavor. I love to serve the thin strips of flank steak over mashed potatoes.
Before I tried this Argentinian sauce, I've never taken the steak covered in a green-colored sauce seriously. Steak served in a red, wine-based sauce (or some sort of demi-glace)? Bring it on. Steak smothered in something green and garlicky? I did have some initial reservations about that. Well, what do you know, the pan-seared flank steak with Chimichurri sauce is now one of my favorite ways to eat steak. I've introduced this dish to several other people in my life: my husband, in-laws, friends (none of them ever had a steak with Chimichurri sauce before), and each time I encountered the same reaction: a little skepticism about green sauce turned into curiosity to try something different on steak, and next thing you know everybody is in love with this dish.
Chimichurri sauce is actually a very popular traditional Argentinian sauce, widely used with grilled steak, chicken and other meats. If you've never tried it, you will be pleasantly surprised to discover the whole new array of flavors that you can serve with your steak.
Another reason I highly recommend flank steak with this sauce is because it's so easy to make! To make Chimichurri sauce, you just place all ingredients in the food processor and that's it! To prepare the flank steak, you just use a grill or sear it on high heat on stove top in spices for a total of 10 minutes - and it's done! This is my go-to dish during the weekdays, when I have a lot of work to do during the day and don't have time to fuss in the kitchen in the evening.
Flank steak is also one of the cheapest steak cuts, and when it's spiced up as in this recipe and served with this green sauce - it becomes a very tasty and good-looking meal without a lot of strain on your wallet.
To make Chimichurri sauce I use fresh parsley. You can also use fresh spinach (washed and rinsed) in place of parsley.
Pan-Seared Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
Ingredients
Chimichurri sauce:
- 3 cups fresh parsley , washed and rinsed, chopped (you can also use spinach instead or mix both)
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 5 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
Ingredients for flank steak:
- 1 pound flank steak
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon parsley
- ¼ teaspoon sage
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon curry
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon basil
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon coriander
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- salt and pepper
Instructions
How to make Chimichurri sauce
- Place all ingredients for the sauce in the food processor and blend for about 4 minutes until you get a pesto-like sauce. Using a spatula, transfer the sauce into a bowl. Add more parsley (or spinach) if needed.
How to cook flank steak
- Mix all spices together in a small bowl. Rub spices on both sides of flank steak, scatter chopped garlic over steak.
- Heat a large skillet on high heat until very hot, add 2 tablespoons olive oil (it should sizzle). Add flank steak (with spices and garlic) and sear it on high heat about 4 minutes on one side. Flip it over, add 2 more tablespoons of olive oil, and sear 4 minutes on another side.
- Cover the skillet with the lid – let the flank steak rest, covered, for about 5 or 8 minutes.
- Transfer cooked flank steak onto the large platter and slice it into thin strips, against the grain.
- Place strips of flank steak in the middle of each plate, top with a spoonful of Chimichurri sauce.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer:
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
My family loved this and it was very easy. I made it with beef chuck boneless shoulder steak to save money. The chimichurri sauce is more vinegary than other recipes, but it was a hit.
Thank you, Penny, for your feedback - I really appreciate it. Glad you enjoyed the recipe! 🙂
Just made this tonight and it was WONDERFUL!! I didn't have the sage so I substituted with Bells seasoning and it came out perfect. Thanks for sharing!!
I love Chimmichurri sauce! I usually use a skirt steak. Is a flank steak better?? Also I never thought of substituting spinach 🙂
Thx!
Lauren, skirt steak and flank steak are so similar, I think flank steak is leaner than skirt steak but not by much. 🙂 Both steaks should not be cooked more than medium-rare, and they need to be sliced thinly across the grain otherwise the steak would be tough. Love using spinach in Chimichurri sauce! In fact, I make this sauce with spinach most of the time - I like the spinach version better! 🙂
my sauce is brown, the balsamic turned it all brown. What did I do wrong?
Debbie, I had the exact same experience -- I wonder if the measurements are accurate? Or if it's the type of balsamic we used? But mine looked nothing like the photo!
Jo, I corrected the recipe according to your feedback.
Wow ! That meat looks so juicy and succulent and especially flavousome with that chimmichurri - gotta put this on my to do list!!
I love, love, love chimichurri sauce! It is nice to have an acidic counterpart to red meat, which is typically quite rich.
We don't eat beef, but dare I say that looks delicious? Especially the sauce! 😀
I love steak with chimichurri! But I know what you mean. My husband's first reaction to the green sauce was "what's THAT?" He, too, ended up loving it tho. Beautiful dish!
I found your blog after you left a very nice comment on mine and I am so glad you did because your photographs are just beautiful!
I've never made chimichurri sauce but I love anything with crushed red pepper flakes!
I, too, don't usually think of a green sauce with steak (wine sauce? Of course!). But I'll bet the chimichurri sauce works well - it sure looks good. And I know variations of this sauce are popular in so many cuisines. Really nice recipe, and a good post. Thanks so much.
Can't wait to light my grill for this recipe! 🙂
Yummy! Chimichurri is not only a popular sauce in Argentina but in Southern Brazil as well. It is the South America's pesto. Have you tried in sandwiches? I have made this so many times and incorporated in so many different dishes but I never get tired of it.
You even make meat look great..Such a good photographer:)