Is chimichurri mayo spicy?

It's mild by default. The heat comes from the red pepper flakes in the chimichurri, and the mayo softens even that. I stir in a pinch of cayenne for a low, even background heat, which is the red flecks you'll see in mine. It's optional. For more, start from a chimichurri with more chile, like a hatch or red base.

Can you use store-bought chimichurri?

Yes, a good jarred chimichurri works fine. Drain off the loose oil before stirring it in, the same as you would with homemade, or the mayo comes out thin. Taste after mixing, since jarred versions vary in salt and acid, and adjust with a splash of red wine vinegar if it needs more edge.

Why is my chimichurri mayo runny?

Usually one of two things happened. The chimichurri carried in too much loose oil, or the mayo went through the food processor and the emulsion broke. Drain the chimichurri first and stir everything together by hand to keep the sauce thick.

Easy Chimichurri Mayo Recipe - Chiles and Smoke

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup mayonnaise
½ cup chimichurri, drained of excess oil (start here; add more to taste)
¼ teaspoon cayenne, or a pinch of ground chiltepin (optional, for a light background heat)
Optional: pinch of kosher salt and a splash of red wine vinegar, to taste

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Instructions

Drain the chimichurri, spooning out the herbs and leaving the loose oil behind.
Blend the drained chimichurri in a food processor to the texture you like, finer for a smoother, brighter sauce. For chunkier herbs, skip this and use it as is.
Add the chimichurri to the mayonnaise and stir by hand until evenly green. Stir in the cayenne or chiltepin now if using. Do not blend the mayo in the processor, or the emulsion breaks and the sauce thins.
Cover and chill about 30 minutes. Taste and adjust, adding more chimichurri, salt, or red wine vinegar if needed.

Notes

The 1-to-2 ratio is a starting point. Add more chimichurri to taste.
Any chimichurri works, homemade or jarred. Drain off the loose oil either way.
Store airtight in the fridge for about a week. Do not freeze.

Author: Brad Prose
Prep Time: 5 min
Chill Time: 30 min
Category: Sauces & Salsas
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: Argentine
Diet: Gluten-Free

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
Calories: 148
Sugar: 0.1 g
Sodium: 144 mg
Fat: 16.1 g
Carbohydrates: 0.6 g
Protein: 0.3 g
Cholesterol: 7.7 mg