This Zhoug Recipe is my latest condiment obsession! There's heat, freshness from the herbs, and loads of warm spices and garlic. You'll want to put and marinate this on everything.
We all love harissa, pesto, and chimichurri, but have you ever heard of zhoug? This spicy green sauce has so much flavor and can be enjoyed in multiple ways.
- Add to hummus.
- Marinated chicken, fish, or vegetables.
- Dollop on top of tacos.
- Enjoy as a dip.
What is Zhoug?
Zhoug, a Middle Eastern condiment originating from Yemen, is a spicy and flavorful blend of fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, garlic, chili peppers, and spices.
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Zhoug Ingredients
- Cilantro. Fresh cilantro will add a nice peppery touch.
- Parsley. Fresh parsley will be the base.
- Serano. For heat.
- Lemon. To brighten the sauce and give it a tang.
- Garlic. For flavor.
- Garam masala. Some recipes require coriander, cumin, cardamom, and peppercorns. A spice blend like garam masala will contain all these spices needed to make zhoug.
- Olive oil. Use extra virgin olive oil. The quality of your olive oil will determine the quality of your sauce.
How to Make Zhoug
1: In a small saucepan over low heat, warm olive oil and garam masala for 2-3 minutes.
2: Place the parsley, cilantro, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a food processor or blender.
3: Run the blender and slowly drizzle in the olive oil spice mixture. Then, blend until smooth yet with bits, about 60 seconds.
Finally, taste to adjust the seasoning, adding more salt if necessary.
Variations
Furthermore, here are a few variations to jazz up your zhoug.
- Spicy - add Thai chili pepper for REALLY spicy zhoug or add Aleppo pepper for a mildier version.
- Tomato - add 1 small Roma tomato for a nice tomato touch.
- Neutral oil- if you don't like the taste of extra virgin olive oil, use light olive oil.
How to Store
Store zhoug in an air-tight container and use within 3 days.
More Mediterranean Recipes
- Ladolemono (Greek Lemon Olive Oil Dressing)
- Zuppa Toscana Recipe (Pork-Free)
- Healthy Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad {Gluten-Free}
- Authentic Kisir (Turkish Bulgur Salad)
FAQ
Zhoug is a spicy and flavorful Middle Eastern condiment that is typically made from a combination of fresh herbs, such as cilantro and parsley, along with garlic, chili peppers, and various spices. Also, it is known for its vibrant green color and can be used as a marinade, sauce, or topping to add a burst of heat and freshness to dishes.
Zhoug can also be used as a dip or spread for pita bread, vegetables, meats or even drizzled over roasted vegetables to elevate their taste profile.
Chermoula and Zhoug sauce are popular Middle Eastern condiments, but they differ in ingredients and flavor profiles. Furthermore, Chermoula is a Moroccan sauce with tangy, slightly spicy herbs, used as a marinade for fish or meat, while Zhoug sauce is a Yemeni condiment with a vibrant, fiery flavor.
Zhoug Recipe
zhoug: a spicy condiment to put on everything! Fresh cilantro & parsley, garlic, chili peppers, & warm spices. Great as a dip or marinade.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Category: Sauces
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, leaves only, packed
- ½ cup fresh cilantro with tender stems, packed
- 2 medium serrano chilies, seeds moved (keep seeds for more heat)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
Instructions
- Place a small saucepan over low heat and add the olive oil and garam masala. Warm the spices for about 2-3 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and set it aside.
- In a blender or food processor, combine parsley, cilantro, serrano chilies, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Run the blender and slowly drizzle in the olive oil spice mixture.
- Start the blender and slowly pour in the olive oil spice mixture. Blend until smooth with some texture, for about a minute. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt as needed.
- Enjoy right away. Consume within 3 days.
Notes
How to Store
To keep your zhoug fresh, store it in an airtight container and use it within 3 days.
What do you eat with zhoug?
Zhoug can also be used as a dip or spread for pita bread, vegetables, meats, or even drizzled over roasted vegetables to elevate their taste profile.
This recipe is inspired by "America's Test Kitchen, The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook".
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