By Layla Khoury-Hanold for Food Network Kitchen

Layla Khoury-Hanold is a contributor at Food Network.

You might know chimichurri as a bright green sauce that frequently accompanies grilled steak and Latin American fare. But what exactly is chimichurri and what’s in it? For more info, we consulted chef Alex Raij, who co-owns New York restaurants Txikito, La Vara and Saint Julivert with her husband, chef Eder Montero.

What Is Chimichurri?

Chimichurri is a cold or room-temperature raw sauce and condiment that originated in Argentina and Uruguay. Raij says that she first learned about chimichurri from her Argentinian parents. She considers its original form to be a shelf-stable vinaigrette or sauce made from dried oregano, fresh garlic, vinegar, oil, chile flakes, salt and pepper. Subsequent iterations incorporated fresh parsley and sometimes other fresh herbs. Today, chimichurri has been widely adopted in South American and Latin American cuisine.

“In its most basic sense, chimichurri is a condiment that gauchos cooking out in the fields had, and it was really just something that had stability,” Raij says. “So, it was vinegar, oil, dry spice, garlic, water and salt. From there, people can add different things. If it takes on too many flavors, it probably stops being chimichurri.” Some people cooked meat more thoroughly that we do contemporarily, she adds, so chimichurri might have been used to provide "some moisture and freshness.”

Chimichurri’s Main Ingredients

The main ingredients in contemporary chimichurri are parsley, oregano, olive oil, red vinegar, garlic, chile flakes, salt and pepper. The version Raij serves at her restaurants deviates slightly from the traditional preparation. “Ours is very fresh and herby and unusual by classic standards,” Raij says. “It’s still grounded in the flavors that I associate with it: garlic, oil, vinegar, dried oregano and chile flakes, but instead of regular oil, ours has parsley oil, so it gives it a very verdant quality.” The chimichurri is served as a refreshing counterpoint to suckling pig at both La Vara and Txikito, and alongside a pork steak at Saint Julivert.

Raij, who recently returned from a trip to Argentina, has been experimenting with chimichurri recipes anew. “I wanted to go back to this very dry, almost tea-like version of it. To me, the original is dry herbs, not fresh herbs.”

Although fresh herbs are frequently used in contemporary chimichurri recipes, and while the herbs used can vary, Raij draws the line at cilantro. “A lot of people I see making chimichurri are making cilantro-based ones and sauces that really look like salsa verde,” Raij says. “I’m not sure when it stopped being a chimichurri and became a mojo verde. To me, once it has cilantro in it, it’s not chimichurri.”

Is Chimichurri Spicy?

Although chimichurri does contain chile flakes, it isn’t considered spicy. “I would describe it as kind of zingy, herby condiment that is on the savory side, that is multi-purpose,” Raij says. “And, it goes extremely well with things that are sort of naturally dry, like potatoes, or meat or bread.” Although chimichurri is made with fresh garlic, its flavor profile isn’t considered garlicky.

How to Use Chimichurri

To Raij, chimichurri is “a singular sauce that can bring together your whole plate.” In Argentina, meat, salad and bread are served family-style, she says, and people eat all the components together on their plates with chimichurri as the accompanying condiment.

Pair chimichurri with a variety of meats and plant-based proteins, such as grilled steak, pan-seared pork chops, roast chicken or baked tofu. You can also jazz up seafood such as swordfish steaks, shrimp skewers or seared salmon with a side of chimichurri. Try using chimichurri as a dip for crusty bread, drizzle it over potatoes or toss it with roasted veggies. Or, experiment with chimichurri as a base for salad dressings, dips and marinades, or to season cooked grains.

Chimichurri Recipes

Chimichurri Sauce

This riff on chimichurri pulls in a medley of fresh herbs, including parsley, cilantro and oregano, as well as jalapeno for a subtle punch of heat. Use this saucy condiment atop grilled meats or fish or toss it with vegetables or potatoes for a simple yet flavorful side.

Grilled Steak with Green Beans, Tomatoes and Chimichurri Sauce

Chimichurri makes a wonderful accompaniment to grilled meats, and these strip steaks are no exception. The recipe leaves the herbs component open to interpretation, but suggests options such as fresh parsley or mint.

Grilled Paprika Chicken Wings with Chimichurri

Herbaceous, tangy chimichurri sauce is the ideal counterpoint to lightly charred, paprika-spiced chicken wings. The accompanying chimichurri recipe calls for typical ingredients such as parsley, garlic, oregano, vinegar and olive oil, and pulls in jalapenos for heat.

Christmas Steak

This deluxe steak dinner takes inspiration from the two-tone grilled snapper that’s served at Contramar in Mexico by dressing it in two fresh holiday-hued sauces: salsa roja and chimichurri. The chimichurri adds vibrant herbaceousness and a verdant pop of color.

Pork Chops With Smashed Potatoes and Chimichurri Sauce

This emulsified version of chimichurri comes together in a food processor with just a few ingredients. It brightens up a rich plate of pork chops and smashed potatoes.

Related Links:

27 Sauces You'll Want to Slather on Everything

50 Easy Grilling Recipes to Keep in Your Back Pocket

25 Ways to Put Your Bounty of Fresh Herbs to Good Use