Quick and easy zhoug sauce recipe, homemade with simple ingredients in a blender in just 10 minutes. This spicy Mediterranean sauce is full of cilantro and green chilies.
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This sauce contains some of my favorite bold flavors such as cilantro, green chilies, and cardamom. It comes together quickly, and adds the best spice to dishes from breakfast, to snacks, to dinner. This sauce will quickly become a favorite like my Tzatziki Sauce (One Bowl) and Best Chimichurri Sauce (Blender).
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Key Ingredients
- Cilantro- I do not use the stems, only the leaves.
- Chilies- Green chilies are typically used. Adjust quantity based on how much spice you can handle.
- Spices- Use a combination of cardamom, cumin, coriander, red chili flakes, salt and pepper.
- Oil- Olive oil is best.
- Garlic- Fresh provides the best flavor instead of powder form.
Variations
- Use jalapenos- Instead of green chilies, or in addition to green chilies.
- Add other herbs- Such as parsley, mint or chives.
- Add zest and juices- From lemons or limes.
- Mix in some red wine vinegar- For a tangier version.
- Adjust the spice level- Add more or less chilies based on your preference.
How to make easy zhoug sauce recipe from scratch in blender or food processor?Â
- Blend ingredients in food process or blender- Until roughly chopped.
- Add olive oil- Slowly, while running the blender.
- Continue blending- Until mixture is thick and mostly smooth.
What to serve with this sauce?
This spicy sauce can be served over a myriad of foods:
- Eggs- Such as scrambled eggs, Best Shakshuka Eggs (One Pot), eggs benedict, or egg casseroles.
- Sandwiches- Like this Easy Egg Salad Sandwich (One Pan), Easy Tomato Sandwich (One Pan), or Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich (One Pan).
- Pasta- Such as Instant Pot Vegetable Pasta, Garlic Lemon Pasta (One Pot), or Garlic Chicken Pasta (One Pot).
- Chicken- Like this Crispy Fried Chicken Bites (One Pot), Instant Pot Whole Chicken {Rotisserie Chicken}, or Chicken and Potatoes (One Pot).
- Seafood- Such as shrimp, white fish, or even fish tacos.
- Hummus- It combines so well with this Easy Hummus (One Bowl).
- Steak- Like these Garlic Butter Steak Bites (One Pot).
- Lamb- Such as Instant Pot Lamb Shanks.
Tips and techniques
- Add olive oil slowly- Because this allows you to control the texture of the sauce much better, and prevents the addition of too much olive oil.
- Use high quality olive oil- Because you will taste it in this sauce so you want it to be the best flavor possible.
- Use fresh garlic- Fresh is always best, but if you do not have any then you can use jarred or powdered, but it will not yield the same intense flavor.
- Cut off the stems of the cilantro- You only need the leaves for this recipe.
- Scrape down the sides of the blender- To make sure that all the ingredients are properly incorporated, and the texture and flavor is correct.
- Make sure to taste the sauce at the end- Because then you can check the flavor and add more spices if needed.
Recipe FAQs
It can be used as a marinade for chicken, shellfish, or lamb. You can also enjoy it as a dip or sauce to drizzle over your baked/ grilled meats. Use it as a salad dressing or even pasta sauce.
No. It is not the same. Chimichurri highlights strong flavors of parsley and oregano as opposed to cilantro and it is also not spicy.
It is a spicy Mediterranean/ Middle Eastern herbaceous sauce or condiment that originates from Yemen containing cilantro, chilies, olive oil, and spices.
Storage
- Refrigerate- In a sealed jar or container for up to 1 week. If the oil solidifies, heat in the microwave for a few seconds until almost room temperature.
- Freeze- In a freezer safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw to room temperature and enjoy.
- Make ahead- This can easily be made 1 days in advance and stored in the fridge until you are ready to serve.
More one pot sauce recipes
- Spicy Arrabbiata Sauce (One Pot)
- Basil Pesto Sauce (Blender)
- Garlic White Pizza Sauce (One Pot)
- Cheddar Cheese Sauce (One Pot)
- Homemade Marinara Sauce (One Pot)
Recipe
Easy Zhoug Sauce
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Ingredients
- 2 bunches Cilantro Fresh, Washed, Stems removed, Only leaves
- 5 cloves Garlic Peeled
- 2-4 Green chiles Can be replaced with jalapenos, Fresh, Washed, Seeds can be removed to reduce spice, Adjust according to your preference
- ½ teaspoon Cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon Coriander powder
- ¼-1/2 teaspoon Red chili flakes Adjust according to your preference
- ¼ teaspoon Cardamom powder
- Salt To taste
- Pepper To taste
- ¾ cups Olive oil
Instructions
- Add cilantro, garlic, green chiles, cumin powder, coriander powder red chili flakes, cardamom powder, salt, pepper in a heavy duty blender or food processor and mix/ pulse until roughly chopped.
- Start adding olive oil very slowly, while running the blender.
- You will have to stop a few times to scrape down the sides.
- Continue blending until all the olive oil has been added and the mixture is thick and mostly smooth. There will be some texture and that's perfectly fine.
- Taste to check the flavor and adjust by mixing in more spice powders (cumin, cardamom, coriander, salt, pepper). Enjoy.
Notes
- Read all my tips above.
- Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week. If the oil has solidified, heat in microwave for a few seconds until it's almost room temperature. Stir to combine.Â
Nutrition
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.
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