Juicy Pork Chimichurri

Category: Satisfying Main Dishes for Every Occasion

Tender pork with tangy herb chimichurri. Ready in just 30 minutes, serves 6. Ideal for quick dinners.
Barbara Chef
Updated on Sat, 12 Apr 2025 22:04:48 GMT
Tender pork fillet drizzled with vibrant chimichurri sauce made from fresh herbs. Highlight
Tender pork fillet drizzled with vibrant chimichurri sauce made from fresh herbs. | cookwithcarla.com

Make ordinary pork tenderloin into a juicy, herb-packed treat that pairs lean meat with bright chimichurri sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, you'll get tender pork covered in a zingy, fresh herb mixture that makes every bite pop. Each portion gives you that perfect mix of rich meat and tangy sauce.

While checking out foods from Argentina, I found this combo was the best way to turn basic pork into something really special.

Key Ingredients

  • Lean pork tenderloin: Get it with silver skin taken off
  • Fresh parsley: Makes the base for your sauce
  • Good olive oil: Gives that smooth richness
  • Fresh oregano: Brings in real flavor
  • Red wine vinegar: Adds the right amount of zing

Making Amazing Pork

Get The Meat Ready:
Take off that silver skin and add your spicy-sweet seasoning mix.
Cook It Right:
Roast until it's slightly pink inside for the best bite.
Whip Up The Sauce:
Blend herbs and flavors until they're tiny bits.
Mix It Just Right:
Pour in oil and vinegar until it feels perfect.
Let It Sit:
Don't slice the meat right away after cooking.
Time It Well:
Put room temp sauce on your meat for best taste.
Finish It Off:
Throw on some extra fresh herbs before eating.

My friend from Argentina always told me fresh herbs are what make chimichurri so amazing - they really do give you the most vibrant sauce.

Tender pork tenderloin drizzled with vibrant green chimichurri sauce. Highlight
Tender pork tenderloin drizzled with vibrant green chimichurri sauce. | cookwithcarla.com

Tasty Pairings

Make your meal even better with some tasty sides. Put the pork on top of creamy mashed potatoes or soft rice to soak up the yummy sauce. Add some roasted veggies or a simple arugula salad on the side. For dinner parties, cut the pork and lay it out on a big plate with extra sauce. Add some lemon slices and fresh herbs to make it look fancy.

Fun Twists

Change up this flexible dish by playing with different herbs. Swap cilantro for oregano, or add some mint for freshness. Try using lime juice instead of vinegar, or make it hotter with more red pepper flakes. You can also throw in shallots or cumin to make it your own creation.

Keeping It Fresh

Keep everything tasting great by putting the meat and sauce in different containers. The cut pork stays good for 3-4 days in sealed containers, while the sauce lasts 2-3 days on its own. When you want to eat leftovers, warm the pork slowly with a bit of broth to keep it juicy. Let the sauce sit out until it's room temp before using it. Only cut what you'll eat right away.

Succulent pork tenderloin covered with zesty chimichurri sauce, showing flecks of fresh herbs. Highlight
Succulent pork tenderloin covered with zesty chimichurri sauce, showing flecks of fresh herbs. | cookwithcarla.com

Final Thoughts

This herby pork tenderloin has become what I cook when I need something quick but impressive. Though it's easy to make, paying attention to how you cook the meat and using fresh stuff creates amazing results that make basic pork tenderloin taste fancy. Just remember, getting the right cooking temp and letting it rest will give you perfect results every time.

Recipe FAQs

→ What is silver skin, and why remove it?
It’s tough tissue that stays chewy when cooked. Trimming it off is key before cooking.
→ What’s the right temperature for the pork?
The thickest part should hit 145°F (63°C), then let it rest for 5 minutes.
→ Can chimichurri be made early?
Sure! Prep the sauce up to a day ahead, and keep it chilled in a sealed container.
→ Don’t have a food processor?
No problem. Chop everything finely by hand or use a mortar and pestle.
→ How can I get a better sear?
Optional tip: In the last few minutes, quickly sear one side in a hot pan.

Juicy Pork Chimichurri

Tender pork fillet topped with flavorful, tangy chimichurri. Perfect for weeknights, done in half an hour.

Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
25 min
Total Time
30 min

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Argentinian

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary Preferences: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ For the Pork

01 2 pork fillets/tenderloins (total 1kg or about 2¼lb)
02 1½ teaspoons kosher or regular salt
03 1½ teaspoons smoked or plain paprika
04 ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
05 1 tablespoon soft brown sugar
06 1½ tablespoons neutral oil

→ For the Chimichurri Sauce

07 30g (¾ cup) fresh parsley, tightly packed
08 10g (¼ cup) fresh oregano, tightly packed
09 1 small shallot, peeled and chopped roughly
10 2 big garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
11 1 teaspoon fine salt
12 ½ teaspoon dried red chili flakes
13 ¼ cup of red wine vinegar
14 ⅓ cup good-quality olive oil (extra virgin)

Steps

Step 01

Turn oven to 200C (180C with fan on) or 395F. Cover your baking tray with foil, then add baking paper.

Step 02

Use a small sharp knife to carefully remove the silver skin on the pork.

Step 03

Pour some oil on the pork, sprinkle over the sugar, salt, paprika, and pepper, then rub it all in well.

Step 04

Set the pork on the tray, folding any thin ends under if needed. Bake for 25 minutes until the inside hits 63C/145F. Let it sit for 5 minutes before slicing.

Step 05

Blend parsley, oregano, shallot, garlic, and salt until chopped fine. Mix in vinegar, oil, and chili flakes.

Step 06

If you like extra browning, sear one side in a hot pan for a minute toward the end of baking.

Step 07

Cut the pork into thick slices and pour the chimichurri over the top before serving.

Notes

  1. Cut off the silver skin for a smoother texture.
  2. No food processor? Chop the chimichurri ingredients by hand.
  3. Letting the pork rest keeps it juicy.

Required Equipment

  • Knife and chopping board
  • Baking tray that’s flat and large
  • Small food processor (if available)
  • Thermometer for meat

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

This data is for informational purposes only and doesn’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 367
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Carbs: 6 g
  • Protein: 36 g