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Horizontal photo of a jar of Zhoug Sauce.

Zhoug (aka Zhug, Shug or Skhug)

What is Zhoug? It's a vibrant, delicious, super versatile sauce made from fresh herbs, garlic, chiles and oil. It takes the ho-hum out of everyday meals!
Course Condiment
Cuisine Middle Eastern, Yemenese
Keyword Shug, Skhug), Zhoug, Zhug
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Servings 16 1 tablespoon servings
Calories 63 kcal
Author Chris Scheuer

Ingredients

  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 medium cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon cardamon optional
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 3 cups packed cilantro 1½ large or 3 medium-size bunches (stems and leaves)
  • ½ cup curly or flat-leaf parsley just the leaves
  • 2 medium jalapeños seeds and inner veins removed (reserve the seeds)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon salt more to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a small sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic, coriander, pcumin, cardamom and crushed red pepper. The oil should sizzle slightly but not splatter out of the pan. Cook for 1 minute or until nice and fragrant, stirring frequently then remove from heat and allow to cool.

  2. In the container of a food processor or blender, combine the cilantro, parsley, jalapeños, lemon juice, red wine vinegar and salt. Process until mixture is fairly smooth but still has a bit of texture.

  3. Add the olive oil mixture and pulse 3-4 times, just until incorporated. Do not over mix at this point.
  4. Taste and add more salt if needed, more jalapeño or some of the (jalapeño seeds) if you’d like the Zhoug to be spicier.

Recipe Notes

See Café Tips above in the post for more detailed instructions and tips.

Nutrition Facts
Zhoug (aka Zhug, Shug or Skhug)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 63 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 5g
Sodium 75mg3%
Potassium 24mg1%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 213IU4%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 5mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.