A unique spicy green sauce from Yemeni that you’ll want to put on everything.
I love condiments and all things spicy.
So I couldn’t believe it took me so long to learn about zhoug (pronounced zoog)!
Zhoug
Sahawiq zhoug or zhug is a spicy green sauce originating in Yemen and the hot sauce of choice in the Middle East.
Made mostly from chilies and cilantro, zhoug is spicy and herbaceous – the kind of condiment you add to anything and everything for a little extra heat and flavor.
What I really love are the additions of cardamom and cumin – they add an unexpected boost of spice and warmth that no other condiment quite has.
And the best part is it’s really easy to make.
Just blitz everything together and voila! Instant flavor bomb.
Zhoug Recipe Video
How to Make Zhoug
all you need is a blender!
What Does Zhoug Taste Like?
Zhoug is a chunky, herby condiment that’s been called ‘Middle Eastern pesto’.
But while it looks a bit like pesto, it tastes very different.
Zhoug blends cardamom, cilantro, parsley and chilies to create a unique flavor bomb of spice, fragrance and heat.
If I had to describe it, I’d call it a chunky floral hot sauce.
Uses for Zhoug
Zhoug is an all purpose condiment!
You can use it as a marinade for protein, a dipping sauce for veggies and grain bowls or thin it out and use it as salad dressing!
I also like to swirl it over other condiments that could use a spicy addition, like hummus, yogurt or sour cream.
- Marinade: works great on chicken, fish or steak
- Condiment: falafel, flatbread, burgers
- Eggs: fried eggs, frittatas, scrambled eggs, egg buritos
- Top up dairy: plain yogurt, sour cream, creme fraiche
- Dips: vegetable crudités, mixed with hummus, roasted root vegetables
- Sauce for grain bowls, tacos, burgers
- Salad dressing: thin it out with a little more olive oil and drizzle it over salads
I love adding a dollop of zhoug to eggs for breakfast!
Zhoug Spice Levels
I like heat, so I used 4 hot peppers for this sauce, 2 jalapeños and 2 sugar rush peach peppers.
Jalapeños add a nice kick while sugar rush peach peppers are more sweet, like a bell pepper with some tropical fruity flavor and a hint of smoky heat.
Sugar rush peach peppers can be difficult to find, so any floral-y hot pepper would be a great substitute.
If you prefer a more mild version, you can scrape out the jalapeño seeds (where most of the heat is stored) and use just 2 jalapeños.
If you want a heatless option, omit the peppers altogether and add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes instead.
growing a variety of hot peppers in my apartment!
Grow Your Own Hot Peppers
If you want to grow your own hot peppers at home like I did, get yourself an indoor garden!
I grew both lemon jalapeños and sugar rush peach hot peppers together in one of my large Farms. The two plants are very straightforward to grow, as hot peppers thrive in hydroponic conditions.
The best part about growing your own veggies is being able to grow unique varieties you can’t buy!
I got the lemon jalapeno seeds here and the sugar rush peach pepper seeds here.
Zhoug (Cilantro Sauce)
A unique spicy green sauce from Yemeni that you'll want to put on everything.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place the garlic, herbs, hot peppers and spices into a blender and blitz until all the ingredients are finely diced.
- Drizzle in olive oil and blend until the sauce comes together.
Notes
Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Olive oil can solidify when chilled, so thaw to room temperature before using.
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