Gremolata recipe {easy Italian condiment}

Parsley, garlic and lemon are the ingredients that make up this easy gremolata recipe. This simple Italian condiment is a quick “flavor booster” to brighten up anything from grilled vegetables to seafood.

It can turn a mediocre dish into something amazing. Use on grilled shrimp, steak, vegetables or fish to give them a boost of flavor. The bonus of this easy sauce, you likely have everything you need to make it.

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What is gremolata?

Traditionally, gremolata is a mixture of parsley, garlic and lemon zest, chopped by hand. If I’m making a small batch, enough for one dinner, this is the preferred method.

Chopping everything by hand allows you to control the texture of the parsley and garlic a bit better than a machine. All you need is a sharp chef’s knife and a cutting board.

If you are making a big batch of this gremolata recipe, the food processor makes quick work of it. Back in my restaurant and catering days, this was the way we made it.

It is less finessed, because you can’t control the blade as well as a knife, however, it is faster and easier. Also worth noting, if you aren’t confident with a knife yet or you have trouble with your grip, this is the way to go.

How to make gremolata

The parsley and garlic go into the food processor first. Pulse a few times to break them up, then pulse a bit more to get the mixture a bit finer.

Use a microplane to zest the lemon, add it to the processor. Give it a few more pulses with some olive oil, lemon juice, salt and a pinch of pepper. By making it into a “sauce”, this also extends the life of the gremolata.

How can I use this gremolata recipe?

There is no shortage of ways to use up this delicious sauce. Stir a spoonful into mayo to jazz up a sandwich, serve with roasted chicken and vegetables, add it to scrambled eggs or an omelet, or add to a bowl of pasta for a quick dinner.

• Side dishes – drizzle a few tablespoons of gremolata over baked fingerling potatoes or spinach artichoke pasta salad.

• Soups – swirl a spoonful into a bowl of Minestrone or Italian wedding soup.

• Main dishes – serve this sauce with roasted chicken and vegetables, lamb loin chops or grilled steak.

This sauce is good on nearly everything.

It’s a great option for people who don’t like cilantro. Use it in place of chimichurri or a salsa verde. Add in a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.

To change it up, use lime instead of lemon, add in scallions or a few basil leaves for a different flavor.

Can gremolata be made ahead of time?

Yes! If you are making gremolata in advance, add olive oil and keep it in an airtight container. You can store it in the fridge for about a week.

To make it last even longer, freeze it. Fill up ice cube trays for easy portions of gremolata and pop them out as needed. It’s a great time-saver and will brighten up meals for weeks.

Make a batch of this Italian flavor-booster and let me know how you used it!

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