Grilled Salmon With Chimichurri is a delicious and healthy dish featuring perfectly grilled salmon fillets topped with fresh and vibrant chimichurri sauce made from parsley, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar.
Grilled salmon is a classic dish that never fails to impress with its rich, buttery texture and subtle, smoky flavor. But when paired with chimichurri, the experience is taken to a whole new level. This vibrant, herbaceous sauce brings a burst of tangy freshness that complements the richness of the salmon perfectly.
Chimichurri, a sauce traditionally from Argentina, is made from a blend of parsley, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, and a touch of red pepper flakes. It’s bright, zesty, and slightly spicy, with an herbal kick that cuts through the fatty richness of grilled meats. When drizzled over salmon, the bold flavors of chimichurri not only enhance the fish but also create a stunning contrast that elevates the dish to something truly special.
Grilling the salmon adds a charred, smoky depth to the fish that pairs beautifully with the fresh and zesty chimichurri sauce. Whether you cook it on the grill or in a skillet, the salmon should be seared until the skin is crispy and the flesh is tender, but still moist. The key is to not overcook it—grilled salmon should be flaky and juicy, making each bite melt in your mouth.
This dish is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides. You can serve it with a simple salad, roasted vegetables, or even a side of quinoa or rice to round out the meal. The vibrant, tangy chimichurri can be a welcome contrast to the richness of side dishes, while adding an extra layer of excitement.
Grilled salmon with chimichurri is perfect for both casual dinners and more formal occasions. It’s easy to prepare yet feels indulgent, making it a great option for weeknights or weekend gatherings. The balance of smoky, tender fish with the bold, fresh sauce is sure to leave everyone at the table asking for seconds.
Whether you’re a fan of grilled fish or looking for something new to try, this combination of grilled salmon and chimichurri is a dish you’ll want to add to your regular meal rotation. It’s fresh, flavorful, and utterly satisfying.
Ingredients
- 4 fillets salmon skin-on or skinless
- 1/2 cup olive oil extra virgin
- 1 cup parsley fresh, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Season salmon fillets with salt and black pepper.
- Grill salmon for 4-5 minutes on each side, until salmon is cooked through and has grill marks.
- In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, parsley, garlic, red wine vinegar, and red pepper flakes to make the chimichurri sauce.
- Serve grilled salmon fillets topped with chimichurri sauce.
Nutrition
This was delicious! So easy to make and perfect for summer BBQs.
Good but could be better. Also I kept mixing up red pepper flakes with paprika lol. Either way, the salmon was pretty good—4/5?
Pretty easy recipe. I got confused with the cooking time, thought it was 4-5 hours!! Crazy haha! It turned out great after all.
My uncle make salmon dish like this but used lemon instead. Still great!
Yummm! Just what I needed for a quick dinner. I didn’t have fresh parsley, but used dried and it still tasted good!
Just a suggestion, but I think lemon would work better than vinegar 🤔. But it was still good.
I love lemon too! It adds such a fresh kick. 😍 But honestly, vinegar has its own charm in chimichurri! Both are great options!
Simple and quick dinner for a weeknight. My kids loved it!!
This sounds delicious! I’m always looking for quick meals for my family. Can’t wait to try it!
I didn’t have red wine vinegar so I used apple cider vinegar and… it was kinda tangy. Still tasty though, my wife called it “farmhouse fancy.”
Apple cider vinegar is honestly a solid swap—glad it still came out tangy. “Farmhouse fancy” is the perfect description 😄
Wait… red wine vinegar for chimichurri?? I always use plain white vinegar and it turns out fine. But apple cider might be sweeter, so just be careful not to overshoot the tang.
Too much oil if ya ask me! I used less and it turned out fine. Also, what’s the point of red pepper flakes? They just make it spicy.
It was ok, but I think I overcooked the fish. Taste was good with the chimichurri mix, though.
I messed up the garlic—minced too much and it got harsh. Still ate it though. Flavor improved with more parsley.
Simple and delicious! The garlic in the chimichurri really stands out. Could eat this every day!
Meh, the sauce didn’t really do it for me. Maybe try lemon instead of vinegar next time?
I personally love the chimichurri! It adds such a nice flavor to the salmon. But hey, if you prefer lemon, that’s cool too! Everyone has their own taste.
Lemon instead of vinegar? Sounds weird to me. Chimichurri ain’t for everyone I guess. But at least you tried it!
Only took me twenty mins, quick and easy! I will def make this again.
Glad you found it easy! It really is a winner for a quick dinner. What sides did you serve it with?
So easy to make! My family loved it, and it looked fancy too. Will make again for sure!
I’m glad to hear it! This recipe is a game changer! My kids loved it too!
This grilled salmon is AMAZING! The chimichurri really adds flavor. Will make again!
I didn’t really like it much. The sauce was too strong for me. Maybe I did it wrong?
Totally agree! That chimichurri is a game changer. Can’t wait to make it again too!
I’ve never even heard of chimichurri before. Is it really that good? Kids were not fans of the green sauce.
The olive oil and red wine vinegar combo was surprisingly tasty!
Eh, could do better. Not impressive, I prefer my salmon baked with lemon instead.
Baked salmon is good too, but you should give this chimichurri a chance! It adds a nice kick.
Grilling salmon is like, super easy but it always sticks to the grill, idk why?
Maybe try oiling the grill before you put the salmon on? It helps with sticking! 🐟
I don’t know about that chimichurri stuff. Is it really necessary? Just a little salt and pepper works fine. 😒
Easy to follow instructions, but I thought the sauce was too oily. More vinegar next time.
I did not like it. The garlic was too strong for my taste. Would not recommend.
Soo good! I can’t believe how easy it was! 😍
I totally agree! It’s super easy and delicious! 😋
Meh, I’ve had better salmon. My grandma makes it better without all this fuss.
Not bad, but mine stuck to the grates even though I heated everything. Next time I’ll oil the grill more carefully.
Good catch—oiling the grill helps a ton. I usually also oil the salmon lightly (and make sure the grates are hot/clean). Sorry yours stuck!
I think u can use any fish instead of salmon, right? It should work fine. I will try it with tilapia.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about putting raw garlic in the sauce with vinegar, but it mellowed out. Next time I’ll maybe use a bit less pepper flakes.
This grilled salmon was a hit at our BBQ! The chimichurri gave it such a nice flavor. Will definitely make it again!
Sounds delicious! I love chimichurri with salmon. Can’t wait to try it!
This salmon recipe is amazing! The chimichurri sauce really adds a flavor kick. Definitely making this again. 😊
Grilled salmon? I thought you were supposed to bake it? Hmm.
The sauce is my favorite part. I added a little extra vinegar and it tasted restaurant-level. Great recipe!
I tried this and it was ok, but I think I overcooked the salmon. Need a better guide on timing.
It was still good, right? Salmon can be forgiving sometimes. Just keep practicing and you’ll nail it!
I know how you feel! Timing with salmon can be tricky. Maybe try using a thermometer next time to get it just right.
The instructions were easy to follow. But my salmon turned out kinda dry. Maybe I cooked it too long?
Eww, what’s with the green sauce? Not a fan. Keep it simple people!
Grilled salmon is my fav! I added some lemon zest to the sauce and it was delish! 🌟
Lemon zest sounds like a great idea! I’ll have to try that next time. 🌼
I don’t know if salmon needs all that fancy stuff. Just some salt and pepper works fine, right?
Delicious! I added some thyme to the sauce and it was even better. Highly recommend that!
Chimichurri is too strong for me. I think I prefer a milder sauce.
I followed the recipe but didn’t have red wine vinegar, used apple cider instead. Still tasted good, but not quite the same.
5 stars for the simplicity. Also, my kids actually asked for “the green topping” lol.
Haha “the green topping” is the best—kids always know what’s good. 😄 The chimichurri really pulls it all together. 5 stars!
This grilled salmon was AMAZING! The chimichurri added a perfect zing. Definitely making this again!
I totally agree! The chimichurri really brings out the flavor of the salmon. I can’t believe how simple yet delicious this dish is!
Sounds good, but I always thought salmon was better baked. Grillin it seems a bit risky. What if it gets dry?
I tried this, but the salmon turned out dry. Maybe I grilled it too long? Not sure about the chimichurri part either.
I had the same issue with the chimichurri once. Don’t give up—maybe try adding some lemon juice to brighten it up!
It sounds like you might have overcooked the salmon. It’s really easy to do! I usually check it a minute or two earlier than the suggested time.
Why do you need to preheat grill?? Just throw it on and cook!
Salmon is too fishy for me, but my husband loved it. He said the sauce was great!
Who puts vinegar on fish? This is toxic! Never again.
Vinegar isn’t toxic! It actually adds flavor to the dish. You should give it a try before judging!
Why do people like this awful sauce? It’s too garlicky and just… weird. Never doing this again.
Awful? Really? I thought it was amazing! Just don’t add so much garlic if you don’t like it. It’s all about balance, I guess.
I gotta disagree with you! The garlic adds such a nice flavor and the chimichurri is so fresh. Maybe try using less garlic next time?
This recipe is AMAZING! The chimichurri adds such flavor to the salmon. Definitely a keeper!
Delicious!! Salmon was perfect. Chimichurri could be spicier tho 😅
Nice recipe. But I used canned salmon instead of fresh and it still worked fine! 😅
This recipe was fantastic! The chimichurri sauce really took it to the next level. Will definitely make again!
Made this tonight and it turned out awesome—chimichurri is super fresh and the vinegar really brightens the salmon. I left the pepper flakes out for my kid and it was still great.
Not for me. Fish is fish, chimichurry or not. I prefer a burger.
Everyone has their taste, but you might be missing out on the salmon’s flavor with that chimichurri! It’s not just ‘fish’, it’s GOOD fish!
Nah, burgers are way better. Fish just smells funny, even if it’s grilled. Don’t even get me started on that sauce.
Yummm! I love chimichuri, I drizzle it on everything! Thanks for the recipe!
Did someone say red wine vinegar? I used apple cider instead. Tasted fine!
Apple cider works too! Nice to see someone experimenting. Cheers! 🍏
I don’t really like fish, but my husband loved it. So yeah, it’s good if you like salmon, I guess!
Glad your husband enjoyed it! Salmon is definitely an acquired taste for some. Maybe try a different dish next time?
Made this tonight—so fresh and bright. The chimichurri is basically a cheat code for flavor, and the garlic + vinegar combo is perfect with salmon.
Totally agree—chimichurri on salmon is such a cheat code. I’ve tried it with parsley + garlic before, but the red wine vinegar really makes it pop.
I followed the steps pretty closely, but 4-5 minutes a side felt a little long for my grill. Still turned out great though—lots of grill marks and juicy inside.
Mine fell apart on the grill. I guess I didn’t watch it close enough. Kinda disappointed, but will try again.
Don’t worry! It happens to the best of us. Maybe try flipping them more gently next time?
This chimichurri combo sounds legit—parsley + garlic + vinegar is such a bright punch. I’ll try it next weekend on the grill.
Nice! Parsley + garlic + vinegar is the perfect tang for salmon. I usually let the chimichurri sit 10–15 min so the flavors blend—hope it turns out great next weekend!
Really easy and quick recipe! Tried it last night and my whole family loved it. A keeper for sure. 👍
Grilled salmon is for fancy dinners, not for everyday! Who has time for all this chopping and mixing?.
I don’t really like salmon.. but my boyfriend loved it! I guess it’s a hit.
Not gonna lie, I’m skeptical about throwing that much garlic into parsley. But I tried it and it mellowed nicely. The sauce tasted like it belonged on steak too.
Eh, it was okay. I might try it again with a different fish. 🤷♀️
I thought it was delicious! The chimichurri really makes it pop. Maybe you just didn’t grill it long enough?
I dunno, salmon is salmon! You can’t go wrong with it. Have you ever tried it with lemon? 🙂
Really flavorful but I think 4–5 minutes per side is a bit optimistic for thick fillets. Mine needed closer to 8 on the first side.
Totally agree—4–5 minutes per side didn’t cut it for me with thick fillets. I went closer to 7–8 and it finally felt right. Still tasted amazing though!
I dunno… I followed it exactly and mine was done in 5 each side? Maybe my fillets were thinner. Chimichurri was fire 🔥
Salmon should be served with fries! Come on, people! Who eats it with sauces?
I think it’s really weird to use sauce like that. Fish should be paired with something simple, not all these herbs and stuff. Just fry it up and put it on a plate!
Fries? Seriously? That’s just wrong! Salmon and fries don’t go together at all. You gotta give chimichurri a chance, it’s so good!
So good! Made it with rice and veggies. My mom always makes salmon, but this chimichurri is 100% better.
Salmon is overrated. Why not just put some fancy dressing on chicken instead? 👎
Really good balance of flavors. I used skin-on and it didn’t stick once I preheated the grill well. Next time I might add a squeeze of lemon just because I love extra zing.
4-5 minutes each side? That depends on the thickness, guys. Otherwise it’s gonna be dry. Just sayin’.
Totally agree—thickness makes a huge difference. I usually go by doneness instead of the exact minutes, like flake test near the thickest part.
The cook time surprised me—4-5 min per side almost dried mine out. Maybe my grill runs hot? Still tasty, but I’d reduce time or watch internal temp.
Totally agree—4–5 min per side can be too long depending on grill heat and fillet thickness. If yours dried out, I’d start checking at like 3–4 min per side and go by internal temp (I usually pull around 125–130°F / 52–54°C).
Huh, I always do 4–5 min and it comes out juicy for me. Maybe it was thicker/more fat than yours or your grill is running hotter. Next time try medium instead of medium-high (or just cover it to slow the cook).
I was skeptical about using red pepper flakes because I don’t like spicy stuff… but it was subtle and not overpowering. Worked for me.
I was worried the red pepper flakes would mess it up too, but maybe I used less? Either way it turned out really good. Next time I’ll add a little more garlic though.
Same here—I’m not a “spicy” person, but those red pepper flakes don’t make it hot-hot. I love that it stays subtle and lets the chimichurri flavor shine.
5 minutes each side seems too much—mine dried out a little. Also I didn’t have fresh parsley so I used dried and it tasted kinda flat.
Good point—4–5 min per side can be too long depending on thickness. I usually do closer to ~3–4 min each side for thinner fillets so it stays juicy. Also yeah, fresh parsley really helps; dried tends to get “muted” unless you bump it up and let the chimichurri sit a bit so the flavor blooms. Still tasty though!