Easy Homemade Papalo Chimichurri (Great for Grilled Meat)

This Papalo Chimichurri Sauce is bright, zesty, and packed with fresh herbal flavor. It’s a garden-grown twist on classic chimichurri, made with papalo—a heat-loving herb that tastes similar to cilantro, but without the soapy flavor some people dislike.

Watch the video version of this recipe: Coming soon

Papalo thrives in hot climates where cilantro struggles, making it an excellent substitute for warm-weather gardens. Blended with garlic, oregano, red wine vinegar, and olive oil, this sauce comes together quickly and pairs perfectly with grilled meats like steak, chicken, or pork.

What Is Papalo?

Papalo is an herb commonly used in Mexican and Latin American cuisine. Its flavor is often compared to cilantro, but brighter and more citrusy. Best of all, it loves heat and continues growing through summer when cilantro bolts or fails entirely.

For the best flavor, harvest papalo before the plant flowers or bolts, ideally in the morning when the leaves are most tender.



Papalo Chimichurri Sauce Ingredients

• ¼ cup fresh papalo leaves
  

• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  (or 2 fresh Cuban oregano leaves)
  

• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  

• 1 teaspoon salt
  

• ½ teaspoon black pepper
  

• ⅔ cup olive oil
  
  

How to Make Papalo Chimichurri

1. Harvest the Papalo
    Pick fresh papalo leaves before flowering for the best flavor and texture.
   

2. Prepare Ingredients
    Gather all ingredients. Cuban oregano works beautifully if you grow it, but Italian oregano (fresh or dried) is a great substitute.
   

3. Blend the Sauce
    Add papalo, oregano, garlic, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and olive oil to a blender. Blend until smooth and vibrant green.
   

4. Serve
   Spoon over grilled steak, chicken, or pork. This sauce also works well as a marinade or finishing sauce.
   
   

Storage Tips

Store chimichurri in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For the brightest flavor, it’s best enjoyed fresh.

This Papalo Chimichurri Sauce is one of my favorite ways to use garden-grown herbs, especially during the hottest months of the year. It’s fast, flavorful, and a great example of how tropical and heat-tolerant plants can easily replace traditional herbs in familiar recipes.

👉 Get papalo seeds and learn how to grow them in.
Shop here: Jerra’s Garden Seed & Plant Shop.

If you’re interested in growing papalo, I have seeds available and a full tutorial on how to grow it successfully in warm climates on my YouTube channel.