This Italian Salsa Verde recipe is vibrant and zesty with the combination of fresh Italian parsley, lemon juice, castelvetrano olives, and a hint of red pepper flakes. It is the perfect condiment for adding a burst of fresh flavor to your meals.
About the Recipe
This simple Italian salsa verde is perfect for drizzling over grilled meats, stirring into pasta, or using as a dip for crusty bread. It’s a versatile and flavorful addition to any table that will have everyone coming back for more!
If you are looking for more appetizer recipes, check out our: Salmon Carpaccio, Carrot and Lentil Soup, Baked Clams Oreganata, or Burrata Salad.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Fresh - The freshness of this salsa is what makes it so delicious. The main ingredient, fresh parsley, combined with the zing of freshly squeezed lemon juice creates a burst of refreshing flavor in every bite!
Versatile - This salsa can be used in a variety of ways. Use it as a topping for grilled meats, a dip for bread or vegetables, or even as a dressing for pasta or salads.
Simple - With a short ingredient list and a few minutes of prep time, you can whip up this delicious condiment without much effort at all!
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for this Italian sauce:
- Italian parsley - Use one whole bunch of Italian parsley (also known as flat-leaf parsley).
- Garlic - For the best flavor, use freshly minced garlic.
- Shallot
- Casteveltrano Olives
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt & black pepper
- Lemon juice - Freshly squeezed lemon juice will provide the best flavor and freshness.
- Extra virgin olive oil - Use good olive oil in this recipe 0 it will make the dish!
Directions
Let's make this vibrant green sauce together!
Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine parsley, garlic, shallot, olives, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil.
Step 2: Stir all of the ingredients together, serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this Italian green sauce:
Let it marinate - If you have time, let the salsa verde sit for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and intensify.
Fresh ingredients - Fresh parsley, garlic, and lemon juice are key to achieving the vibrant flavor of this salsa. Avoid using pre-minced garlic or bottled lemon juice for the best results.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this delicious sauce. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
Serving bowl - I love these serving bowls. They're classic and will never go out of style.
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this Italian parsley sauce.
Shallot - If you don’t have shallots, use red onion or white onion finely diced. Scallions or chives can also be a good alternative.
Additions - You can add multiple things to this versatile sauce. Red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, dijon mustard, lemon zest, fresh herbs, or basil pesto all make this Italian salsa verde even more delicious!
Food processor - You can use a mini food processor or immersion blender to combine the ingredients instead of chopping the ingredients.
What To Serve With
Here are some recipes to serve alongside this versatile condiment:
Pinwheel Sandwiches - Made with soft flour tortillas smeared with a cream cheese and Italian seasoning mixture and rolled up with turkey, cheese, salami and spinach, these sandwiches are both fun and delicious!
Tortellini Pasta Salad - This Tortellini Pasta Salad is one that you will want to make right away. You will love this delicious and satisfying pasta salad with its colorful and flavorful ingredients.
Burrata Pizza - This recipe for Burrata Pizza is going to be one of your new favorite things to make! It has lusciously creamy and buttery burrata cheese, savory pizza sauce, aromatic fresh basil, and a crispy crust!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make this recipe without olives. If you don't have olives or prefer not to use them, here are a few alternatives: green olives, pickles, anchovies, or artichoke hearts. You could also just leave them out altogether.
Sure! I like this recipe a bit more on the chunky side, but if you prefer more of a smooth sauce, feel free to add all of the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and process to your desired consistency.
Yes, in fact I recommend it! Make this ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container until ready to serve. It’s often better once the flavors have had time to meld!
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this salsa verde recipe:
Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container and eat leftovers within 4-5 days.
Freezer Storage: Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as instructed below.
Reheating Instructions: The best way to reheat this recipe is by allowing it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Other Recipes to Try
Italian Salsa Verde
Ingredients
- 1 bunch Italian parsley chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 6 castelvetrano olives
- 1 shallot diced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Combine Italian parsley, garlic, shallot, olives, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil in a medium bowl.
- Stir well and serve.
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