Gremolata Recipe: How to Make the Minced Parsley Garnish

Gremolata is an Italian condiment containing fresh parsley, fresh garlic, and lemon zest. Mince the ingredients with a chef’s knife, pulse them in a food processor, or use a mortar and pestle.

Gremolata is similar to pesto, but the two differ in ingredients and consistency. Pesto—a combination of extra-virgin olive oil, basil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese—is more of a sauce than a thick condiment of herbs. Learn how mint enhances Chef Massimo Bottura’s mint-basil recipe.

Another herb-filled mixture similar to gremolata is chimichurri. In Argentina, chimichurri is a chunky sauce containing cilantro, parsley, fresh oregano, shallots, garlic, chili, vinegar, and olive oil, setting it apart from the three-ingredient gremolata.

Italian gremolata is a typical garnish for soups and stews because of how well the condiment’s fresh parsley, garlic, and lemon zest complement heavier flavor profiles. Here are four dishes that pair well with the flavors in gremolata:

1. 1. Chicken Milanese: A fried and salty main dish, chicken Milanese (eggplant, pork, and veal are also popular in Milanese dishes) can benefit from the addition of gremolata. Coat the meat in eggs before dredging it in seasoned breadcrumbs and frying it in oil. Top the Milanese with coarse sea salt, a sprinkle of lemon juice, and a spoonful of fresh gremolata to bring a bright, fresh flavor to the fried dish. Serve it with a side salad or pasta.
2. 2. Osso buco: This is an Italian dish—also known as ossobuco—of braised veal shanks, vegetables, wine, and broth. Osso buco cooks slowly on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, developing a deep, savory flavor. Classic gremolata is a traditional topping for osso buco, with polenta and risotto commonly served as side dishes.
3. 3. Pasta and meatballs: Carb-heavy pasta and meatballs is a dish that gains a fresh, zesty flavor from a spoonful or two of gremolata. Spaghetti and meatballs are more common in the United States than in Italy, but the classic Italian condiment brings freshness to the dish just the same.
4. 4. Risotto: Creamy and rich in flavor, risotto is a rice dish containing Parmesan cheese, garlic, onions, chicken broth, and other flavorings. Break up a classic ristto’s heavy flavors and starchy texture with the addition of a fresh and zesty gremolata. If you like mushrooms, you try making Chef Wolfgang Puck’s risotto recipe, which contains morel mushrooms, oats, and other flavorings.