Classic Italian Gremolata Recipe (3 Ingredient Parsley Sauce) (2024)

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This simple 3 ingredient Italian recipe sure packs a big punch! If you’re looking to give your dish an Italian twist, Classic Italian Gremolata is the perfect accompaniment. This is an incredibly flavorful addition to everything from pasta to fish, chicken, vegetables, risotto, and an array of dishes! Whatever the dish – even noodles – Gremolata will take it from basic to beyond delicious in just a few minutes!

Classic Italian Gremolata Recipe (3 Ingredient Parsley Sauce) (1)

Classic Italian Gremolata Recipe

In Italian tradition, Italian Gremolata is traditionally served on osso buco which originates from Milan, but as I’ve said, it goes with so many dishes you’ll never run out of new options to try! This recipe really is a superb way to enhance any dish with its bright flavor and dart of color. And the best thing about it? All you need to make this recipe is some parsley, garlic, and lemon zest!

Ingredients in Gremolata

  • parsley, coarsely chopped
  • garlic, minced
  • lemon, organic is best
  • lemon juice
  • salt

How To Make Classic Italian Gremolata (a 3 Ingredient Parsley Sauce)

  1. Make sure your knife is sharpened before finely chopping up the parsley and garlic together. Having a super sharp knife will make sure you make clean cuts through the parsley leaves so you’re not just banging at them with a dulled knife blade.
  2. Add the lemon zest and keep chopping the ingredients up until they’re completely combined and the size you want for serving, i.e. do you want more texture or more of a sauce consistency?
  3. Add in some lemon juice to taste as soon as you’re happy with the texture. I also like to add some sea salt which really isn’t the norm with this dish but I think it makes it just perfect and brings out all the flavor of the ingredients.

Classic Italian Gremolata Recipe (3 Ingredient Parsley Sauce) (2)

Tips And Tricks For Making Gremolata

  • Pick up some organic lemon if you can since you’ll only be using the zest of it.
  • Get your garlic as fresh a possible, look for garlic with a white color rather than the yellow and sticky appearance it gets as it ages. The darker garlic will also have a stronger smell that’s actually a little off-putting, whilst fresh garlic will be plump with a smell that’s definitely garlicky but still fresh. If you get stuck with older garlic, though, don’t worry, there’s a solution (been there!). Just remove the stem and blanch it in boiling water for a few minutes to take the edge off the taste.
  • Although parsley, lemon, and garlic are the classic staples of this dish, you can always change it up depending on your preferences and the dish you’re serving it with. For example, you could swap the garlic for shallots or lemon for lime. You could even mix in some other fresh herbs like tarragon with parsley,
  • Gremolata can be kept refrigerated for several days once you keep it in an airtight container!

Classic Italian Gremolata Recipe (3 Ingredient Parsley Sauce) (3)More Italian Recipes

These recipes are ALL favorites of ours! I especially love the bolognese and the parmigiana!

Italian Sausage Lasagna Soup

Slow Cooker Bolognese Sauce

Chicken Parmigiana

Happy Cooking!

Love,

Karlynn

Classic Italian Gremolata Recipe (3 Ingredient Parsley Sauce) (4)

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Classic Italian Gremolata Recipe (3 Ingredient Parsley Sauce) (5)

Classic Italian Gremolata Recipe (3 Ingredient Parsley Sauce)

This easy Italian Gremolata recipe is made with three ingredients and is perfect for a fresh tasty topping on lamb, fish and many other dishes.

5 from 3 votes

Classic Italian Gremolata Recipe (3 Ingredient Parsley Sauce) (6)

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Prep Time
15 minutes
Servings
4
Calories
19
Author
Karlynn Johnston

Ingredients

  • 1 cup coarsely chopped parsley
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic ( around 3-4 cloves depending on the size)
  • 1 organic lemon washed and dried then the entire peel zested
  • lemon juice to taste
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Chop the parsley and garlic together until they're both chopped up together finely.

  • Add in the lemon zest and then continue to chop the the ingredients together until they are well-combined and are the size that you desire for serving. I don't like mine like a sauce, I like some texture to my gremolata.

  • Once you have reached the desired texture, add in some lemon juice to taste.

  • Now, this is NOT traditional, but I added sea salt to mine and it makes it perfect. Add a little salt to taste to bring out the best of these fresh ingredients.

Recipe Notes

If you want a drier gremolata you can spread it out and then bake it on a cookie sheet at a low temperature. I prefer mine to be almost a sauce, with a lot of texture.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 19kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 10mg, Potassium: 136mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 1264IU, Vitamin C: 36mg, Calcium: 35mg, Iron: 1mg

All calories and info are based on a third party calculator and are only an estimate. Actual nutritional info will vary with brands used, your measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

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Karlynn Johnston

I’m a busy mom of two, wife & cookbook author who loves creating fast, fresh meals for my little family on the Canadian prairies. Karlynn Facts: I'm allergic to broccoli. I've never met a co*cktail that I didn't like. I would rather burn down my house than clean it. Most of all, I love helping YOU get dinner ready because there's nothing more important than connecting with our loved ones around the dinner table!

Learn more about me

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  1. Charlotte says

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    Oh thank God. I was just looking for a parsley sauce that was simple yet tasted good. Thank you.Classic Italian Gremolata Recipe (3 Ingredient Parsley Sauce) (11)

  2. Marc Evans says

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    Your website is overcrowded with ads. Between the interspersed still ads and the videos, it’s barely useful anymore, and very annoying. Have been a big fan until now.

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Classic Italian Gremolata Recipe (3 Ingredient Parsley Sauce) (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between chimichurri and gremolata? ›

A big difference here is the absence of oil, as gremolata doesn't have any olive oil and chimichurri does. This makes gremolata less of a condiment-style sauce and more along the lines of a flavor-enhancing garnish.

What is gremolata sauce made of? ›

Gremolata is traditionally made with just three ingredients: flat-leaf parsley, fresh garlic, and lemon zest. You finely chop the parsley, then mix it with grated garlic and lemon zest (which work together to tame the bitter herb into gentle submission).

What sauce is made of chopped parsley? ›

Have you ever made a chimichurri sauce? It's an Argentine sauce or condiment, similar to pesto, that is popular throughout South America. This basic version uses fresh parsley, oregano, garlic, oil and vinegar and a little bit of chili pepper, though the variations on this theme are endless.

What is parsley sauce made of? ›

Parsley sauce is a quick and simple sauce that can be extremely delicious. This parsley sauce recipe is made of fresh parsley, butter, English mustard, milk, and flour. It's a great way to give a basic white sauce a gentle flavor and use an abundance of parsley.

Can I use regular parsley for chimichurri? ›

I personally love the mix of parsley and cilantro so that is how I make chimichurri, but if you want a classic recipe, you can use all parsley. Use flat leaf parsley and not curly parsley. Oregano– you can use fresh or dried oregano. Garlic– I use 3 cloves of fresh garlic.

What is the difference between persillade and gremolata? ›

Gremolata is a mixture of chopped parsley, garlic, and lemon zest. Persillade (pronounced “per-see-odd”) is simply chopped parsley and garlic. Although these are not technically sauces, I use them as a fresh bright finish to sprinkle over roasted or braised meats, pastas, and anything grilled.

Why is it called chimichurri sauce? ›

Others believe the name "chimichurri" came about in the early 1800s during the failed British invasion of Rio de la Plata, the estuary that separates Argentina from Uruguay, when captive British soldiers asked for condiments by saying, "give me the curry", which Argentines translated into "chimichurri".

What is Milanese gremolata? ›

Gremolata is a traditional Italian herb condiment consisting of fresh lemon zest, minced garlic, Italian flat leaf parsley & a hint of mint. The herbs and citrus zest are typically crushed together in a mortar to release their pungent essential oils.

What to do with lots of Italian parsley? ›

Put chopped parsley on everything: Don't chop it too finely — bigger pieces are prettier and have more flavor. Throw it with abandon on top of grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes, a cold green-bean salad, stews, soups, pasta, hot or cold grain dishes like couscous or quinoa or tabbouleh or …

What flavor does Italian parsley add? ›

What Does It Taste Like? Italian parsley has a fresh, clean taste. It is described as slightly peppery, with a hint of citrus, clove, and nutmeg. Adding the fresh herb to a recipe contributes a vibrancy to the dish and helps bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.

What is the difference between Italian parsley and parsley flavor? ›

Which kind of parsley has more flavor? Italian (flat-leaf) parsley is known for its more robust flavor and is the better option for cooking. Curly parsley has a fainter flavor and does better as a fresh garnish.

Why does my chimichurri taste bitter? ›

Chimichurri can become bitter if the ingredients aren't balanced properly. Thankfully, there are a few easy ways to fix bitter-tasting chimichurri. Adding more acidity, like citrus or vinegar, can counteract bitter flavors. You can also add a touch of sweetness in the form of honey or sugar.

Why do Italians use parsley? ›

Parsley is found commonly in seafood and vegetable sauces, and in most pasta dishes, sauces, and soups. It is appreciated in Italian cuisine for its complement to spicy dishes, and is used in bouquet garni – along with bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, and sage.

Is plain parsley the same as Italian? ›

Flat Leaf Parsley only looks like Cilantro , but is usually sold as Italian Parsley. Its not the same as Cilantro because it is a variety of Parsley . The leaves are larger even though they are 'flat' and the taste profile ( umami) is like Parsley.

Why is parsley sauce called liquor? ›

This is commonly called "liquor sauce" or simply "liquor" (liquor as in a liquid in which something has been steeped or cooked), traditionally made using the water kept from the preparation of the stewed eels. However, many shops no longer use stewed eel water in their parsley liquor.

What is another name for a gremolata? ›

gremolata (also called gremolada) is an Italian chopped herb condiment or dressing made with lemon zest, chopped parsley, and garlic.

What is similar to chimichurri sauce? ›

When one thinks of eating a steak in summertime, a chimichurri may come to mind. But if you are like me and dislike oregano, then that would simply be out of the question. So, when I'm feeling like a light sauce to put on my steak, I use a persillade instead.

What does chimichurri taste like? ›

If we could only use one word to describe chimichurri sauce, it would be “bright.” The combination of fresh cilantro and parsley pack an herbaceous flavor, while the red pepper flakes bring a hint of spice. Add in the garlic's spicy, pungent flavor and the vinegar's acidic tang, and that's chimichurri.

Why do they call it chimichurri? ›

The origin of its name is uncertain, though it is probably derived from the Basque tximitxurri, which means something like “a hodgepodge.” It has long since been internationalized, however, with a taste that reflects the manifold flavours brought by immigrants from different European countries.

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