A simple chimichurri sauce transforms already tasty grilled butternut squash, zucchini and steak into a truly delicious but quick and easy meal.
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A little sauce makes a big difference
Many sauces have the ability to transfer an otherwise good meal into something great, and chimichurri is definitely one of them. The South American sauce is incredibly easy to make, and while traditionally paired with steak it also goes well with chicken or fish and, as we had here, grilled butternut squash and zucchini.
Grilling gives the first flavor lift, and the chimichurri takes an otherwise quick and easy throw-together meal into delicious, almost restaurant-rivaling dining.
This is a meal that partly came about from what I had in the house, but I was tempted to try grilled butternut squash anyway, since sweet potato works so well (as in my Cuban quinoa bowl). Both have that great ability to take on various different flavors well and go with a broad range of herbs and spices.
Zucchini is one we often grill as well (like in my Israeli couscous with grilled vegetables and marinated grilled zucchini) and I was pretty sure it would be good with chimichurri too. And that was certainly the case.
How to make this tasty meal
This is nice and quick to make - the sauce ingredients are just whizzed up in a blender/food processor, or chopped finely by hand if it's too small a quantity for your machine. The steaks just need a gentle seasoning of salt, pepper and olive oil then pop them on the grill. Cut the zucchini thickly and put on the grill (spotting a theme?).
You can cook the butternut squash entirely on the grill, but I think it's a bit tricky to get it cooked without being overly charred so I prefer to pre-cook it a bit. You can either steam or cook in the microwave, then finish on the grill. Oh, and don't bother peeling it as the thin skin is completely edible and becomes pretty tender when cooked.
This grilled butternut squash, zucchini & steak with chimichurri sauce is so easy, so flavorful and makes for a delicious, balanced meal. Easy enough for a week night, delicious and special-feeling for a date night, it's a meal you'll want again and again. Oh, and if you feel like a slight variation, try my chimichurri marinated beef skewers too.
Try these other globally-inspired grilling recipes:
- Sosaties (South African lamb and apricot kebabs)
- Chicken satay with peanut sauce
- Lamb kofte
- Jamaican jerk chicken
- Plus get more summer recipes in the archives.
Grilled butternut squash, zucchini and steak with chimichurri sauce
Ingredients
- 2 steaks we had NY strip steaks
- ½ butternut squash medium
- ½ zucchini/courgette large or 1 small
For chimichurri sauce
- ½ cup parsley leaves
- ½ cup cilantro/coriander leaves
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
- 1 ½ tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ½ tablespoon lime juice
- 1 dash salt
- 1 dash red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Pat the steaks dry then lightly season with some salt and pepper and drizzle a little olive oil over and rub it all in. Do the same on both sides.
- Cut the butternut squash into round slices about ½in/1cm thick - don't bother peeling - and pre-cook either by steaming or putting in the microwave (put in a microwaveable dish with a little water for a minute or two then test and turn as needed) until just tender and cooked.
- Cut the zucchini into thick-ish slices (on the diagonal can be good to make them easier to handle on the grill).
For the chimichurri sauce
- Make the sauce by blending everything apart from the oil in a blender/food processor until pretty finely chopped but not a paste, or chop finely by hand. Add the oil and pulse to combine.
To finish the dish
- Grill the squash, zucchini and steaks on the grill until the vegetables are lightly charred and the steaks are cooked to your taste.
- Serve with the chimichurri sauce drizzled over the top.
Nutrition
See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store.
Try these other easy recipes:
Savory Snacks and Sides:
- Acorn Squash, Black Bean and Spinach Quesadillas by Our Good Life
- Cream Cheese and Peach Chutney Pastry Cups by Soni’s Food
- Semi-Homemade Baked Beans by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Smoked Salmon Spread with Sourdough Baguette by A Gouda Life
Labor Free Main Dishes:
- Greek Salad Endive Boats by Casa de Crews
- Pesto Chicken with Fennel & Tomato Couscous by Books n’ Cooks
- Simple Cheese Enchiladas by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Mustard Barbecue Sauce by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Remember to pin for later!
Kaila (GF Life 24/7) says
Everyone has been blogging about this magical chimchurri sauce this year, so I may have to join along someday. It's great how the sauce matched your meal. The grilled butternut squash would be my favorite part. Thanks for joining us at the fiesta this week, and I hope you have a fantastic week! 😀
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Kaila, the grilled squash is great - definitely one I will be doing more of. Happy FF to you too!
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
What a delicious clean looking meal. Looks like a Sunday dinner to me!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Julie, it's a lovely meal combination!
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook says
I can honestly tell you that looking at a steak just doesn't do it for me, but yours looks absolutely perfect and now I want some red meat!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Lauren, it's great with the vegetables too!
Soni says
Yum!I've always wanted to try chimichurri sauce but somehow never got round to making it.But looking at yours I'm craving for a taste right now and cannot wait to try it!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks. You really should try it, Soni, it's very easy and tasty. Enjoy!
Sarah James @ Tales From The Kitchen Shed says
What a delicious meal & healthy too, love the chimichurri sauce. Thanks for sharing.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Sarah, it is indeed a meal we really enjoyed and am sure we will have again!
Caroline's Cooking says
Afraid not this time Cindy, but sure we'll make it again 🙂
Valerie Cathell Clark says
I've never made this sauce before! I have wanted to, but never got around to it. Reading about your delicious steak has inspired me to get busy! Gorgeous looking plate! YUM!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Valerie - it took me forever to make chimichurri as well but now it's a definite favorite in our house.
Sue Lau says
We love grilled vegetables with our steaks and the chimichurri sauce looks magnificently flavorful.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Sue, it's simple but very tasty.
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
Ooh, this sounds so good! Now I really want to try grilling butternut squash!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Sarah, it's definitely worth trying!
Sarah Reid, CNP (@jo_jo_ba) says
No way should something this easy look that good! Well done!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Sarah - it's great when that works out to be the case 🙂
Loretta says
Lovely, and what a treat for the Labor Day weekend! The butternut squash has some great grilled marks.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Loretta - credit goes to my husband for the grilling 🙂 It's a meal we all really enjoyed so will have to have again soon.
Katy says
What a beautiful and impressive-looking dish! You had me at grilled butternut squash, and the chimichurri is a great addition 🙂
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Katy, it's a great combination. And thanks for stopping by!
Bernie Dezenski says
mmmmm love the addition of Chimichurri sauce and the grilled veggies are a perfect side!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Bernie, they are all great together.
Constance | CosmopolitanCornbread.com says
When's dinner? Yes, I just invited myself right over! 😉
Caroline's Cooking says
Afraid it's all gone this time, Constance, but next time, head on over!
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm says
This is my kind of meal right here. I would love to be served this meal and I would be proud to serve it to others.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Wendy, that's very kind. It's definitely a meal we love.
Nichole says
This is perfect! I love chimichurri sauce with steak! The fact that you added my fave veggies doesn't hurt either!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Nichole, they all go so well together, too.
Liz says
Such a simple, yet gorgeous and gourmet meal! Perfect way to celebrate the holiday weekend!!!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Liz, so true!