Chimichurri Steak (and how to do a Perfect Reverse Sear)

Jump to Recipe

If you asked me the best steak I've ever had in my entire life, I can pinpoint it within 5 seconds. A perfectly medium rare Chimichurri Steak that graced our table on our last day of family vacation a few years back.

Chimichurri Steak (cooked via Reverse Sear) with a side of french fries and a herb compound butter


 

Why I Love This Recipe

Argentina will always have a special place in my heart. It's an incredibly beautiful country and the food and wine is top notch. As I mentioned above, it's also home to the best Chimichurri Steak I've ever had in my life. Perfect cooked, topped with a simple herb butter, and served alongside some skinny french fries. It was our first meal as we left our Patagonia adventures and it was perfect from start to finish.

Without fail, I always recreate my favorite foods from vacation once I get home. This Chimichurri Steak is beyond simple but packs some serious flavor. First things first, you need a great ribeye. I typically go for 1.5 - 2 inch thickness. Second, I'm a HUGE fan of a reverse sear when the steak is that thick. It ensure perfectly "doneness" throughout. And the last point, a great crust. That means plenty of salt, freshly cracked black pepper and the perfect Chimi seasoning!

a close up of Chimichurri Steak and a herb compound butter

Ingredients & Substitutions

How to Make

For the Chimichurri Steak Compound Butter - combine the ingredients in a small bowl and mix together until smooth. Set aside.

Liberally season both ribeyes with salt and pepper and Chimichurri Seasoning. You want a really good coating on both sides. Once seasoned, let the meat rest for about an hour or two at room temperature. 

Heat the oven to 275 degrees. This might seem low, but this is the key to a reverse sear. Low and slow to make sure the steak is perfectly cooked before searing.

Transfer the steaks onto a wire rack fitted baking sheet and place into the pre-heated oven. Make sure to have an internal meat thermometer handy.

If you’re going for rare - cook for about 20-25 minutes for rare (internal temperature should be 110 degrees.  If you’re going for medium rare, cook for 25-30 minutes until the internal temp is 120 degrees. If you’re going for medium, cook for 30-35 minutes until the internal temp is 125 degrees. 

Once the steaks have been removed, heat a cast iron skillet over high heat. Add 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil into the skillet and carefully swirl around before the handle is hot. Sear the steaks, one at a time, for 2ish minutes per side until you have a great golden crust. Remove steaks from the cast iron pan and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Feel free to move the steaks around as they are searing to get the most char possible.

Slice steak to serve, top with a spoonful of the compound butter and serve alongside some skinny french fries.

Tips & Tricks

A few things when it comes to making perfect Chimichurri Steak!

First - let you meat come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes (I prefer 2 hours) before starting to cook. That will help ensure it's perfectly cooked.

Second - give the Ribeyes ample seasoning. This will form a beautiful crust on the meat and will bring out even more flavor!

Third - the compound butter listed below can be prepped up to a week ahead of time. And any leftovers can be used for pasta, veggies, garlic bread etc.

Lastly - make sure you have an internal meat thermometer handy for the steaks. This is the only way to be absolutely certain the internal temp of your steak.

FAQ's

What is Chimichurri?

A popular condiment and sauce originating from Argentina, typically used as a marinade or topping for grilled meats. It is made with fresh herbs (such as parsley and oregano), garlic, vinegar, oil, and spices.

What is a Reverse Sear steak?

The reverse sear method involves cooking a steak slowly in a low manner before searing it at high heat to create a juicy and evenly cooked steak with a flavorful crust.

What goes well with chimichurri steak?

Grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes or french fries!

What does chimichurri taste like?

A tangy and herbaceous sauce typically used as a condiment for grilled meats.

Similar Recipes

Chimichurri Steak

Author: Gaby Dalkin
5 from 1 vote
Chimichurri is a popular condiment and sauce originating from Argentina, typically used as a marinade or topping for grilled meats. While it's typically made into a sauce, here it's used as a herb crust for a reverse seared steak
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course, Dinner
Cuisine Argentinian
Servings 4 people

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 tablespoons Chimichurri Seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Grilled Rib Eye Steak

Instructions
 

For the Compound Butter

  • Mix together all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix together until smooth.

For the Ribeye Steaks

  • Liberally season both ribeyes with salt and pepper and Chimichurri Seasoning. You want a really good coating on both sides. Once seasoned, let the meat rest for about an hour or two at room temperature. 
  • Heat the oven to 275 degrees. This might seem low, but this is the key to a reverse sear. Low and slow to make sure the steak is perfectly cooked before searing.
  • Transfer the steaks onto a wire rack fitted baking sheet and place into the pre-heated oven.
  • If you’re going for rare - cook for about 20-25 minutes for rare (internal temperature should be 110 degrees.  If you’re going for medium rare, cook for 25-30 minutes until the internal temp is 120 degrees. If you’re going for medium, cook for 30-35 minutes until the internal temp is 125 degrees. 
  • Once the steaks have been removed, heat a cast iron skillet over high heat. Add 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil into the skillet and carefully swirl around before the handle is hot. Sear the steaks, one at a time, for 2ish minutes per side until you have a great golden crust. Remove steaks from the cast iron pan and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Feel free to move the steaks around as they are searing to get the most char possible
  • Slice steak to serve, top with a spoonful of the compound butter and serve alongside some skinny french fries

Nutrition Information

Calories: 438kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.02g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 130mg | Sodium: 1234mg | Potassium: 310mg | Sugar: 0.02g | Vitamin A: 726IU | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @WhatsGabyCookin or tag #whatsgabycooking!

3 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating