Grilled Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

In many South American countries, chimichurri is as common as ketchup is in America. The condiment is used to marinate meat before cooking, to baste meat while cooking, or to serve on top after cooking. The fresh and zingy flavor goes well with a variety of cuts of meat, like ribeye, T-bone, or New York strip. It is also delicious with poultry, fish, tempeh, or tofu. The silky, beautiful flavor of chimichurri guarantees deliciousness no matter what type of protein it is served with, and it’s so easy to make at home!

2 ounces sirloin steaks
salt and pepper, to taste
For the chimichurri
1⁄2 cup organic parsley leaves, lower stems removed
2 tablespoons organic cilantro, stems removed (optional)
1⁄2 cup Natural Grocers® Brand Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tablespoons Natural Grocers Brand Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
1⁄4 small organic red onion, chopped into 1-inch pieces
3 cloves organic garlic
1⁄2 teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Red Chili Flakes (adjust to preferred spiciness level), (or to taste)
3⁄4 teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Oregano Leaf
1⁄2 tablespoon coarse salt, (adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon water
For the salad
1 head organic red leaf lettuce, (or organic green leaf lettuce) - ends cut off, leaves separated, rinsed, and spun using a salad spinner
2 medium organic carrots, peeled and shredded
1 small organic cucumber, peeled, cut in half lengthwise, seeded, and thinly sliced
1⁄2 cup organic grape tomatoes, sliced into halves
1⁄4 cup pitted organic Kalamata olives
5 tablespoons salad dressing, (we like Primal Kitchen Greek made with avocado oil)

Instructions

1. Preheat the grill to high.

2. Lightly season the steak on both sides with salt and pepper. Set aside.

3. Make the chimichurri: Add the parsley and cilantro to a food processor and process until finely chopped, about 1 minute. Add the remaining ingredients and process until all the ingredients are finely chopped and well combined. Taste, and adjust the flavor to your liking—chimichurri is easy to adjust to your taste; add more red pepper, garlic, or salt if you like; if you don’t like cilantro, leave it out. The outcome should be a fresh flavor, with a little spice and zing. When you have it to your liking, scrape it out into a bowl.

4. For the salad: Tear the lettuce leaves into bite-size pieces and place in a large bowl. Add the shredded carrots and toss. Set aside.

5. Brush the grill with oil. Once hot, grill the steaks to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. If you are unsure about the doneness, check the internal temperature of the steak with an instant read thermometer: medium-rare 140-145°F; medium 155-160°F; well-done 165°F. Ideally, you want to remove the steaks from the grill 5° below your ideal doneness—the steaks will continue to cook while they rest. For a juicy steak, medium-rare and medium temps are best. If you do not have an instant read thermometer, you can make a small cut in the steak to peek inside—medium-rare will still have a hint of red in the center and medium should be pink.

6. Transfer steaks to a plate, cover with foil, and let rest for 8-10 minutes.

7. Toss the lettuce/carrot mixture with approximately 5-6 tablespoons of salad dressing. Divide evenly among four dinner plates and evenly top with the cucumber, tomato, and olives.  

8. Transfer the steak to a cutting board and thinly slice against the grain. Transfer the steak slices to the dinner plates and top with the chimichurri sauce. Serve with extra chimichurri on the side.