Chimichurri vs pesto: what's the difference?
Both are green herb sauces, but chimichurri is a sharp, vinegary Argentine steak sauce of parsley, garlic and oregano, while pesto is a rich Italian basil paste with pine nuts and cheese.
Chimichurri
Very lightIndulgent
SubtleBig punch
MellowZingy
Sharp, garlicky and herby, with vinegar that wakes up grilled meat.
What does Chimichurri taste like?Pesto
Very lightIndulgent
SubtleBig punch
MellowZingy
Rich, nutty and basil-sweet, with salty cheese and lots of olive oil.
What does Pesto taste like?The real difference
Chimichurri is chopped, not blended: parsley, garlic, oregano and chili flakes loosened with oil and red wine vinegar, so it's thin, tangy and punchy. Pesto is basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan and olive oil pounded or blended into a thick paste. One cuts through fat; the other adds it.
Side by side
ChimichurriPesto
Main herbParsley, with oreganoBasil
TastesTangy, garlicky, a little hotRich, nutty, cheesy
On a menuSpooned over steak, choripán, grilled vegetablesTossed with pasta, on pizza, sandwiches, caprese
Which to order
- Order chimichurri if you want something bright and tangy to cut through a rich steak.
- Order pesto if you want a rich, cheesy, basil-heavy sauce, usually on pasta.
Quick questions
- Does chimichurri have cheese?
- No. Classic chimichurri is just herbs, garlic, chili, oil and vinegar, so it's naturally dairy-free. Pesto almost always has Parmesan or pecorino.
- Does pesto have nuts?
- Traditional pesto uses pine nuts, and some versions use walnuts or almonds. If you have a nut allergy, always ask, since menus don't list everything.