Chimichurri is mostly herbs, garlic, an acid and olive oil, which makes a typical one vegan, gluten-free and low in sugar and carbs. Most of its calories come from the oil, so how much you pour matters more than whether you pour it.
What's in it
Strip chimichurri down and there isn't much to hide: chopped herbs, raw garlic, vinegar or citrus, oil, salt and a little chili. There's no cream, no cheese and no nuts, which is what separates it from sauces like pesto or ranch.
The ingredient that varies most from jar to jar is the oil. Some use extra-virgin olive oil. Others use soybean, canola or a blend. If you're choosing between jars, that's the line to read first. Our buying guide covers the rest.
Calories and fat
A 2-tablespoon serving of OG Chimichurri has 50 calories and 4 grams of fat, of which 0.5 grams is saturated. For comparison, a single tablespoon of regular mayonnaise runs about 90 calories.
Homemade chimichurri often uses far more oil, so it can run higher. The fat itself is the point: it carries the flavor of the herbs and garlic.
Sugar and carbs
OG Chimichurri has 3 grams of carbohydrate per serving, including 1 gram of fiber, and 0 grams of sugar. Many sauces lean on sugar to balance acidity; chimichurri doesn't need to.
Sodium
A serving of OG Chimichurri has 180 milligrams of sodium, about 8% of the daily value. That's on the lower end for a condiment, but if you're watching salt, it's worth counting like anything else.
Is chimichurri vegan?
A classic chimichurri is. It contains no meat, dairy, eggs or honey. OG Chimichurri is vegan.
Is chimichurri gluten-free?
Yes, typically. Herbs, garlic, oil, citrus or vinegar and spices don't contain gluten. If you're avoiding gluten strictly, check the label of any jar you buy, since some flavored versions add other ingredients. OG Chimichurri is gluten-free.
Is chimichurri keto or low-carb?
It fits most low-carb eating. At 3 grams of carbs per 2-tablespoon serving, OG Chimichurri adds flavor without adding much else.
What about seed oils?
Plenty of people prefer to cook and eat with olive oil instead of seed oils like soybean or canola. If that's you, chimichurri is an easy win, as long as you read the label. OG Chimichurri uses extra-virgin olive oil and no seed oils.
The bottom line
Chimichurri is one of the simpler things you can put on a plate. It's a few whole ingredients, it makes plain food worth eating, and a serving is modest. If a sauce can get you excited about a chicken breast and a pile of vegetables, it's doing its job.
For ideas, see 25 things to put chimichurri on.
OG Chimichurri
Cilantro, parsley, lime, garlic and extra-virgin olive oil. Vegan, gluten-free, no seed oils and no preservatives. Get the OG.
This article is general information, not medical or nutrition advice.