Chimichurri vs Pesto: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Chimichurri has 1.5 g of protein and 230 calories, while pesto has 6.7 g of protein and 496 calories. Pesto is higher in protein and calories.

Chimichurri and pesto are both flavorful sauces used in various cuisines. Each has unique ingredients and nutritional values that can impact dietary choices.

What Is the Difference Between Chimichurri and Pesto?

Chimichurri is a green sauce originating from Argentina, typically made with parsley, garlic, vinegar, and oil. It is often used as a marinade or condiment for grilled meats. Pesto is an Italian sauce made primarily from basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. It is commonly used with pasta, sandwiches, and as a flavor enhancer.

Chimichurri vs Pesto: Nutrition Side by Side

The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional information for chimichurri and pesto.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Chimichurri	Basil pesto
Calories	230 kcal	496 kcal
Protein	1.5 g	6.7 g
Carbs	5 g	5.1 g
Sugar	1 g	1.3 g
Fat	23 g	49.9 g
Fiber	1.5 g	1.3 g
Sodium	400 mg	897 mg

Which Is Better, Chimichurri or Pesto?

For weight loss: Chimichurri has 230 calories, while pesto has 496 calories. Therefore, chimichurri is the better choice for those focused on calorie reduction.

For muscle and protein: Pesto has 6.7 g of protein, compared to 1.5 g in chimichurri. Thus, pesto is the superior option for increasing protein intake.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Both sauces have similar carbohydrate content, with chimichurri at 5 g and pesto at 5.1 g. In terms of sugar, chimichurri has 1 g and pesto has 1.3 g.

How to Track Chimichurri and Pesto Accurately

Portion sizes and macronutrient content can be easily misjudged when using sauces like chimichurri and pesto. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g: Chimichurri from Open Food Facts (aggregated plain entries), Pesto from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which sauce has more protein?

Pesto has 6.7 g of protein, while chimichurri has 1.5 g of protein. Therefore, pesto is higher in protein.

Which sauce has fewer calories?

Chimichurri has 230 calories, while pesto has 496 calories. Thus, chimichurri has fewer calories.

What is the fat content in chimichurri?

Chimichurri contains 23 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in pesto?

Pesto contains 897 mg of sodium per 100 g.

How much sugar is in chimichurri?

Chimichurri contains 1 g of sugar per 100 g.

What are the carbohydrate levels in pesto?

Pesto has 5.1 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Chimichurri has 230 calories per 100 g.
• Pesto has 496 calories per 100 g.
• Chimichurri contains 1.5 g of protein.
• Pesto contains 6.7 g of protein.
• Chimichurri has 23 g of fat.
• Pesto has 49.9 g of fat.