chimichurri: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1informal, culinary
Quick answer
What does “chimichurri” mean?
A tangy, uncooked sauce or marinade of Argentine origin, typically made with finely chopped parsley, garlic, oregano, vinegar, and oil.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tangy, uncooked sauce or marinade of Argentine origin, typically made with finely chopped parsley, garlic, oregano, vinegar, and oil.
The term is primarily associated with the specific Argentine sauce but can be used more broadly for any herb-based, vinegary condiment served with grilled meats, especially in Latin American cuisines.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes authentic Argentine cuisine, grilled meat (asado), and robust flavour. It is a borrowing with retained cultural specificity.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to greater exposure to Latin American cuisines, but remains a low-frequency, specialised culinary term in both.
Grammar
How to Use “chimichurri” in a Sentence
[NP + VP + NP with chimichurri] (He served the steak with chimichurri.)[NP + VP + chimichurri + on NP] (She spooned chimichurri on the chicken.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chimichurri” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No verb form in standard use]
American English
- [No verb form in standard use]
adverb
British English
- [No adverb form in standard use]
American English
- [No adverb form in standard use]
adjective
British English
- The chimichurri flavour was perfectly balanced.
- They offer a chimichurri marinade.
American English
- This chimichurri steak is amazing.
- I love the chimichurri chicken sandwich.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the context of restaurant menus, food import/export, or culinary tourism.
Academic
Rare; might appear in anthropological, cultural, or gastronomy studies focusing on Latin American foodways.
Everyday
Used when discussing cooking, dining out, or food preferences, especially related to barbecue or Latin American restaurants.
Technical
Used in professional culinary contexts, recipe development, and food writing.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chimichurri”
- Mispronunciation (e.g., /ˌkɪmiˈkʌri/).
- Misspelling (e.g., 'chimichuri', 'chimichurry').
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'two chimichurris').
- Confusing it with pesto (which contains cheese and nuts).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional chimichurri is more herbaceous and tangy than spicy. It often contains red pepper flakes, which add a mild heat, but it is not a primarily hot sauce.
Yes, while primarily a finishing sauce, its oil and acid content makes it an excellent marinade for meats, especially before grilling.
Pesto is an Italian sauce based on basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Chimichurri is South American, based on parsley and oregano, includes vinegar, and contains no nuts or cheese.
In American English, it's commonly /ˌtʃimiˈtʃʊri/ (chee-mee-CHOOR-ee). In British English, it's often /ˌtʃɪmɪˈtʃʊəri/ (chih-mih-CHOOR-ee). The double 'r' is often rolled or tapped in Spanish.
A tangy, uncooked sauce or marinade of Argentine origin, typically made with finely chopped parsley, garlic, oregano, vinegar, and oil.
Chimichurri is usually informal, culinary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No established idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHEAP MEAT, CHERISH URR-I?' -> CHIMICHURRI is the sauce you cherish on your cheap cuts of grilled meat.
Conceptual Metaphor
SAUCE IS A VIBRANT COMPANION (e.g., 'The chimichurri brought the steak to life.')
Practice
Quiz
Chimichurri is most closely associated with the cuisine of which country?