chimichurri
Condiments & Sauces
Is chimichurri high in glutamates?
Is chimichurri high or low in glutamates? See its exact rating, how much counts as a portion, and its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility in one place.
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Sensitivity notes
Why glutamates food checker matters
Glutamates, including MSG, are flavor enhancers found naturally in many foods and added to others. Some people report sensitivity causing headaches, flushing, or other symptoms, though research on 'MSG syndrome' is mixed.
- MSG goes by many names - look for 'glutamate' on labels
- Naturally high in soy sauce, fish sauce, and aged cheeses
- Tomatoes and mushrooms are naturally high in glutamates
- Yeast extract and hydrolyzed proteins contain glutamates
- Fresh, unprocessed foods are generally lower
Sensitivities
What chimichurri contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where chimichurri fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about chimichurri
Chimichurri is the honest answer to "what is a cleaner steak sauce", and mostly it lives up to that. It is just parsley, oregano, raw garlic, vinegar, olive oil and a pinch of chili, so it carries no gluten, no dairy, no lactose, no added sugar and clean grades for oxalate and nickel, which is more than can be said for creamy peppercorn, barbecue or sweet steak glazes. The catch is the garlic. It goes in raw and uncooked in real quantity, and that pushes chimichurri to a high fructan and FODMAP grade despite the sauce being fresh and unprocessed. There is a second, quieter issue: parsley and oregano are two of the most salicylate-dense herbs in a kitchen, so a spoonful of chimichurri concentrates more salicylate than the same spoonful of almost any other green sauce. Fresh and clean is not the same as low-trigger.
Watch for
- High fructan and high FODMAP grade, driven almost entirely by raw garlic.Nothing about the sauce is cooked, so the fructans are never diluted or driven off, and a tablespoon over steak is a meaningful dose
- Moderate salicylate grade from the herb bill.Parsley and oregano are both salicylate-rich, and chimichurri packs them in far denser than a garnish would
- Moderate histamine liberator grade with mild histamine and tyramine ratings on top, mostly from the red wine vinegar.Homemade chimichurri that has been maturing in the fridge for a week is a different proposition from one made an hour ago
- Poor SIBO grade, so if your bloating starts within an hour of the meal rather than overnight, the sauce is worth suspecting alongside the meal itself
- Mild nightshade and sulfite grades from the chili flakes and the vinegar respectively.Low for most people, but worth logging if you already react to both
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Glutamates Guide
Everything you need to know about glutamates sensitivity and smart food choices.
Glutamates, including MSG, are flavor enhancers found naturally in many foods and added to others. Some people report sensitivity causing headaches, flushing, or other symptoms, though research on 'MSG syndrome' is mixed.
Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.
These foods are generally well-tolerated for Glutamates sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in glutamates and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to Glutamates, consider these strategies:
- 1MSG goes by many names - look for 'glutamate' on labels
- 2Naturally high in soy sauce, fish sauce, and aged cheeses
- 3Tomatoes and mushrooms are naturally high in glutamates
- 4Yeast extract and hydrolyzed proteins contain glutamates
- 5Fresh, unprocessed foods are generally lower
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
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Get the AppFAQ
Is chimichurri high in Glutamates?
Glutamates: moderate signal - portion size matters.
Can I still eat chimichurri if I'm sensitive to Glutamates?
Try smaller portions and space it out.
What else should I check?
Check Jain, Buddhist Vegetarian, and FODMAPs next for a fuller picture.