Easy Zhoug Sauce (Blender)
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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.
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).
What is Zoug?
Zoug is a spicy Mediterranean sauce or condiment that originates from Yemen containing cilantro, chilies, olive oil, and spices.
Key Ingredients
- Cilantro– I did not use the stems, just the leaves.
- Chilies– Green chilies and red chili flakes are both used.
- Spices– Such as cardamom, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper.
- Oil– Olive oil is best.
- Garlic– Fresh provides the best flavor.
How to make easy zhoug sauce recipe from scratch?
- Blend ingredients– Including cilantro, garlic, green chiles, cumin powder, coriander powder red chili flakes, cardamom powder, salt, pepper until roughly chopped.
- Add olive oil– Slowly, while running the blender.
- Continue blending– Until all the olive oil has been added and the mixture is thick and mostly smooth.
- Taste to check the flavor– Adjust by mixing in more spice powders. Enjoy.
Is zhoug the same as chimichurri?
It is not the same as chimichurri which highlights the strong flavors of parsley and oregano as opposed to cilantro as the main flavor like in zhoug.
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.
Zhoug paste uses
This paste can be used as a marinade for chicken, shellfish, or lamb before grilling.
Variations
Use jalapenos– Instead of green chilies, or in addition to green chilies, add jalapenos.
Add other herbs– Such as parsley or mint.
Add zest and juices– Such as lemon or lime.
Use red wine vinegar– In place of olive oil for a tangier version.
Adjust the spice level– Add more or less chilies based on your preference.
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.
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.
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)
Easy Zhoug Sauce
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
- 1/2 tsp Cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp Coriander powder
- 1/4-1/2 tsp Red chili flakes, Adjust according to your preference
- 1/4 tsp Cardamom powder
- Salt, To taste
- Pepper , To taste
- 3/4 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
