Best Homemade Gremolata Recipe
Fresh Herb Flavor Booster
The best homemade gremolata recipe is whatever version you love. Maybe you have multiple favorites. Or maybe you’ve never tried gremolata.
Gremolata is a condiment, or more descriptively, it is a fresh herb seasoning mix. It’s zippy, delicious, and easy to change up with different ingredients.
The best homemade gremolata recipe brightens anything you pair it with, from tofu and veggies to fish or chicken. I put it on burgers, eggs, and my personal favorite: avocado toast. Bring on the yum!
I make my salads sing by mixing it in fresh greens and other veggies. My friend Tabitha ate her sample bowl as its own salad. I’ve even used it as a salsa and dip with tortilla chips or crackers. That’s just how tasty it is!
It takes tofu steaks from tasting decent to tasting absolutely delicious.
Gremolata is the ultimate flavor booster. It’s like a sister to pesto or a cousin of chimichurri. And it is deceivingly simple to make.
Classic Gremolata: 3 Ingredients
- 1 cup parsley leaves, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic (or to taste), minced
- Lemon zest
That short list sums up all that’s needed for a basic gremolata.
From there, you can add or change things up in any way you see fit. It may not technically be a gremolata with the changes, but that’s just semantics.
Traditionally, gremolata is served on top of the veal dish, Ossobuco, but honestly, I’ve never had that dish.
Gremolata Variations (Mix In Ideas)
The beauty of gremolata is how adaptable it is. The first time I made it, I used mint instead of parsley. I had an abundance and wasn’t about to let it go to waste. As I prepped and chopped the ingredients, I fell in love with gremolata before I even tasted it. It smelled amazing!
Soon I was dreaming up dozens of variations. The first was to add crunch and heat.
Then I did a basil version.
Followed by a mint/parsley combo. The ideas kept coming. The possibilities are endless.
Gremolata Variations
Trust me. Gremolata can breathe life into anything blasé. Beyond the parsley, garlic, and lemon, these are some of the ingredients I’ve experimented with and enjoy the most. Use them to add dimensions to the classic gremolata, or to completely re-imagine it.
- mint, cilantro, basil, tarragon, or any fresh herb
- peanuts, pine nuts, pistachios, pecans, or sunflower seeds
- chives, shallots, or scallions
- dried fruit, honey, or agave
- radishes or jalapenos
That all said, my go-to remains the recipe I share below. It features mint, garlic, almonds, spring onions, red pepper flakes, and extra virgin olive oil. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Cyndi
Best Homemade Gremolata Recipe
2 cups mint and/or parsley leaves
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 spring onion (or to taste), green part sliced, onion minced
1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes, or to taste
1/4 cup almonds, chopped (or your favorite nut)
In medium bowl, stir all ingredients together. Serve on your favorite vegetables or protein. The 3 core ingredients of a classic gremolata are: parsley, garlic, and lemon zest. I prefer mint as the central flavor. For your own “best homemade gremolata,” experiment using your favorite herbs and spices.