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Home » Recipes

Easy Zhoug Sauce Recipe

Published: May 12, 2023 by Grace · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about an Easy Zhoug Sauce Recipe!

A blue bowl containing zhoug sauce which is blended cilantro with garlic, chilis, and seasonings. There are some pita breads in the background.

If you love hot and fiery foods, then you need zhoug in your life!

You'll love creating this spicy sauce in your own home with this zhoug sauce recipe.

So let me tell you a little bit about zhoug, an amazing spicy green sauce with complex flavors not for the faint of heart!

What Is Zhoug?

Zhoug is a spicy cilantro sauce from Yemen and a very popular Middle Eastern condiment. It's used to spice up some of the great dishes in Middle Eastern cuisine such as shawarma and gyros.

In addition to cilantro, the zhoug contains chilis, olive oil, and spices which gives this delicious sauce a complex flavor.

The vibrant green color of this flavorful sauce is beautiful, and you could consider zhoug as a Middle Eastern pesto.

You may have seen Zhoug Sauce at Trader Joe's, which is where I first encountered it.

A plastic container containing Trader Joe's Zhoug sauce.
Trader Joe's Zhoug Sauce
A plastic container containing Trader Joe's Zhoug sauce.
Here's what Trader Joe's delicious Zhoug sauce looks like.

I loved trying TJ's version of zhoug and was excited to try my hand at making my own version.

Mine is based on a combination of a description of Zhoug in Mimi Sheraton's 1,000 Foods to Eat Before You Die, as well as a recipe by Claudia Roden in her book A New Book of Middle Eastern Food.

The version I share here is quite a bit spicier than Trader Joe's, and uses different chilis to their delicious zhoug sauce.

Zhoug, also spelled zhug, is a MUST try food! However, if you are averse to cilantro and/or hot and spicy foods, this may not be up your alley. I am of the opinion it's definitely worth trying though!

So allow me to tell you what you'll need to make this easy zhoug recipe if you are willing to give it a go!

🥘 Ingredients

A bunch of cilantro, and bowls filled with Thai chilis, garlic cloves, olive oil, caraway seeds, salt and pepper, and cumin and cardamom.
Ingredients are: Cilantro, chilis, garlic, olive oil, caraway seeds, salt and pepper, and cumin and cardamom.

This spicy condiment is made up of simple ingredients that you should be able to find at most grocery stores.

Here's what you will need for this easy recipe:

  • Fresh Cilantro
  • Ground Cardamom
  • Caraway seeds
  • Ground Cumin
  • Black pepper
  • Salt
  • Fresh garlic cloves
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Thai chilis (can sub jalapeno peppers, serranos, or red pepper flakes)

I've included links to ground cardamom and caraway seeds to purchase on Amazon just in case you aren't able to find these at your local grocery store.

The ground spices I am using are cardamom, cumin, black pepper and salt. If you only have these as whole spices (i.e. cardamom seeds or cumin seeds), please grind them before use. You can leave the caraway seeds whole.

Zhoug is meant to be spicy, so I've elected to use Thai chilis, which pack a lot of heat and will give you a spicier sauce! However, you can sub green chilis such as jalapeños, serranos, or even red pepper flakes. You could also adjust the number of Thai chilis up or down to suit you as well.

This recipe uses both fresh cilantro leaves, as well as the cilantro stems. If you prefer to only use the leaves, then you'll need to use more than 1 bunch of this delicious fresh herb in this recipe.

I am only using cilantro in this spicy zhoug recipe. However, you could use half cilantro and half flat-leaf parsley if you like. It's all good!

🔪 Instructions

Combine all the ingredients in a food processor. You may want to add the chilis and garlic first, followed by the cilantro, seasonings, and then the olive oil.

A food processor containing garlic cloves and red chilis.
Add garlic and chilis to your food processor first.
A food processor containing cilantro leaves and stems and seasonings.
Now add cilantro, seasonings, and olive oil.

Process the ingredients until everything is combined and the cilantro, garlic, and chilis are finely chopped.

A food processor containing finely chopped cilantro, garlic, and chilis.

If you have a small food processor, you may want to add the ingredients and only half the cilantro. Process that down, and then add the remaining cilantro.

Scrape the sides of the food processor down several times during the processing.

Taste and add additional salt and more olive oil until you get the perfect taste for you.

Suggestions For Serving

A blue bowl containing zhoug sauce which is blended cilantro with garlic, chilis, and seasonings. There are some pita breads in the background.

You'll be delighted to know that you can enjoy this versatile condiment in so many ways!

Zhoug is perfect for dipping pita bread into, and try it in falafel sandwiches. It's also amazing stirred into rice, and great with your favorite grilled meats.

I do hope you will give this amazing spicy sauce a try!

FAQ

How should I store zhoug sauce?

Store zhoug in an airtight container in your fridge, and consume within 4-5 days.

What do you eat with zhoug sauce?

Zhoug sauce is the perfect dip for pita bread! Add it to sandwiches and soups, serve with grilled meats, or even stir it into rice!

What country is zhoug from?

Zhoug originates from Yemen, and is a popular relish in the Middle East. It is especially popular in Israel.

1,000 Foods To Eat Project

In conclusion, Zhoug is listed in the book 1,000 Foods To Eat Before You Die, by Mimi Sheraton. I am working my way through the foods listed in this book. This is called my 1,000 Foods to Eat Project. Zhoug is food #69 in my project! Please visit the 1,000 Foods To Eat Project page to see some other MUST TRY foods of the world that you may love to try!

Some Other Recipes You May Enjoy!

Here are some other recipes you may enjoy:

  • Middle Eastern Chicken With Lemon and Olives
  • Middle Eastern Style Cabbage Salad
  • Lahmajoun - Middle Eastern Pizza

Join Me On A Fun Food Journey!

I invite you to come along on this food journey with me! Please sign up to get the latest recipes and inspiration for you to expand your food comfort zone! It's an incredible journey, please join me by signing up here.

Cheers!

Grace

A blue bowl containing zhoug sauce which is blended cilantro with garlic, chilis, and seasonings.

Easy Zhoug Sauce Recipe

Grace Stewart
This Easy Zhoug Sauce Recipe will make your taste buds sing! This Yemeni condiment is spicy and zesty and perfect for sandwiches or your favorite grilled meats!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course accompaniment, Condiment, relish
Cuisine Middle East, Yemeni
Servings 4 servings
Calories 132 kcal

Equipment

  • Food Processor

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bunch cilantro can use stems and leaves in this recipe. If you prefer only using the leaves, then please buy 2-3 bunches
  • ¼ ts cumin ground
  • ¼ ts cardamom ground
  • ¼ ts caraway seeds
  • ¼ ts black pepper
  • ¼ ts salt
  • 6 cloves garlic use fresh garlic
  • 4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 each Thai chilis you can sub jalapeno peppers if you prefer

Instructions
 

  • Combine all the ingredients in your food processor. You may want to add the chilis and garlic first, followed by the cilantro, seasonings, and then the olive oil.
  • Process the ingredients until everything is combined and the cilantro, garlic, and chilis are finely chopped. If you have a small food processor, you may want to add the ingredients and only half the cilantro. Process that down, and then add the remaining cilantro. Scrape the sides of the food processor down several times during the processing.
  • Taste and add additional salt and more olive oil if you like.

Notes

This makes approximately 1 cup of zhoug. 
Using 4 Thai chilis as I have recommended will give you a very spicy zhoug sauce!  Feel free to adjust the amount of chilis to your liking or you can sub green chilis such as jalapeños, serranos, or even red pepper flakes.
I am only using cilantro in this spicy zhoug recipe. However, you could use half cilantro and half flat-leaf parsley if you like. It's all good!
This spicy sauce is SUPERB with grilled meats and sandwiches! 

Nutrition

Calories: 132kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 0.4gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 148mgPotassium: 36mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 149IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 0.3mg
Keyword cilantro, spicy condiment, zhoug
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Hi I’m Grace Stewart! I'm married and a mom to my fur baby, Toby, and food and travel are two of my greatest passions!  Since our bank account does not allow us to travel or eat out as much as we'd like, I decided I would cook delicious meals that could give us a taste of all the places we'd like to go.  My goal is to get you in the kitchen, and inspire you to cook and taste delightful meals that will transport you too.  

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Hi I’m Grace! I'm married and a mom to my fur baby, Toby, and food and travel are two of my greatest passions! Since our bank account does not allow us to travel or eat out as much as we'd like, I decided I would cook delicious meals that could give us a taste of all the places we'd like to go. My goal is to get you in the kitchen, and inspire you to cook and taste delightful meals that will transport you too. Let’s throw some actual travel in from time to time, all with an emphasis on keeping your wallet full and happy as well. Let’s get cooking and let’s start exploring!! I'm excited to be on this journey with you!!

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