Zhoug Sauce (Green Chili Sauce)

Strange name, amazing taste. That’s all you need to know about this wonderful Yemeni Sauce. It’s vibrant green flavors are it’s hallmark characteristic, and you may be mistaken for thinking this is some sort of Chimichurri from South American. Once you taste this amazing Zhoug Sauce (sometimes also called Zhug) you will see how different and unique it’s flavors are. Bright herby flavors are paired with a moderate amount of heat that pairs beautifully with Proteins or as a Salad dressing

How to make Zhoug Sauce

What I love about sauces like this is there really isn’t a lot of work involved. Unlike some of those epic French sauces requiring many steps and techniques, Zhoug is a super-simple sauce to make. All you need to do is combine all the ingredients in a Blender and blend it all up until it’s smooth! What could be easier?

The nuance of making a great homemade Zhoug comes down to the quantity of ingredients that you add to the Sauce. It is a Sauce that requires a delicate balance of flavors to really shine. Too much Chili and the spice is going to overpower the dish, too much Olive Oil and the Sauce will lose its vibrancy

In our recipe for Zhoug Sauce we feel we’ve mastered the quantities of ingredients. However, everyone’s palate does work differently and as such, I would recommend slowing adding the Acidic and Fatty elements to the sauce and taste as you go. This way you can assure you’re balancing out the flavors perfectly, and to your own flavor profile preferences

Ingredients that go into Zhoug

What’s great about this dish is while it may seem quite exotic, the ingredients utilized are all very commonly available all over the world. The Sauce consists of fresh Garlic Cloves, Green Chili, Cilantro, Parsley, Vinegar (we use Sherry Vinegar, but you can also use Red Wine or White Wine Vinegar)

Rounding out the ingredients are Lemon Juice, Olive Oil, a splash of Water, and Salt for seasoning. The whole dish takes just minutes to make, and much of the prep time required for making Zhoug falls into the cutting and measuring of the ingredients

To make this Sauce we recommend combining all ingredients into your Blender except for the Olive Oil and Lemon Juice and begin to blend on a low speed. Depending on your blender there’s probably a 50/50 chance it’ll blend at this stage, with the liquid from the Water and Vinegar potentially being enough to get things going

If not, that’s ok. You can now gradually begin to pour Olive Oil into the top of the Blender as it’s running on a low speed until everything begins to blend. If you find that the ingredients are still not blending great or sticking to the walls of the blender then simply push them down with a spatula (once it’s turned off!) and repeat

Add the Lemon Juice and then continue to blend until smooth then give the sauce a taste. You can now adjust accordingly, adding a bit more Lemon Juice if you want it more vibrant, or more Olive Oil if you want the sauce a little richer

To strain or not to strain

Many Sauces that are made in the blender call for it to be strained before serving. In our opinion, a good Zhoug Sauce doesn’t need to be strained. Keep some of those chunkier textures in the Sauce. It adds to the authentic, rustic feel of the Sauce, and is how you would expect the Sauce to taste straight out of the middle east

The Sauce can be served at room temperature or cold and will keep for 24 hours (up to 48 hours at a stretch) if you refrigerate it after use. It’s of course best to enjoy it immediately, so we recommend preparing your Zhoug as you are about to enjoy it in a meal

What dishes can you pair Zhoug Sauce with?

Zhoug is an extremely versatile Sauce and as such, can be used in a variety of different applications. It’s classic use is as a Salad Dressing and paired with a beautiful piece of protein. Try some thinly sliced pieces of Steak served over an Arugula Salad with Parmesan Cheese topped with Zhoug Sauce for a brilliant flavor

It’ll substitute great as a Chimichurri too, so you can fire up your favorite Steak on the grill (try some Ribeye!) and enjoy the hot steak with a room temperature Zhoug for some brilliant spicy flavors that compliment the Steak without overpowering it

Finally, just try enjoying Zhoug as a dipping sauce with some Chips or Flatbread. This is a great way to kick off a meal, or pair it alongside a few of your favorite alcoholic beverages to enjoy a lazy weekend afternoon with friends

However you enjoy your Zhoug, we highly recommend giving this recipe a try. It’s simplicity hides a complex and robust tasting Sauce that is so flavorsome and versatile

Zhoug Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 Garlic Cloves, peeled
• 1 Green Chili, deseeded and roughly chopped
• ½ cup Cilantro, roughly chopped
• ½ cup Parsley, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp. Sherry Vinegar
• Juice of ½ a Lemon
• 1 tbsp. Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp. Water
• Pinch of Salt
  
  

Instructions

1. Place the Garlic, Chili, Cilantro, Parsley, Sherry, Water, and Salt in the blender and set on low
2. Slowly pour in the Olive Oil until all the ingredients begin to blend, then add the Lemon Juice. Scrape down the sides of the Blender to ensure all ingredients blend
3. Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary, adding more Lemon Juice for brightness, or more Olive Oil for richness. Serve at room temperature
   
   

Recipe Notes

• You can prepare the Sauce in advance, and it will keep in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours (we recommend eating within 24 hours however)
• You can substitute the Sherry Vinegar for Red Wine or White Wine Vinegar
  
  

This delicious Zhoug Sauce may very well become your ‘go-to’ sauce for home cooking. It’s simplicity to prepare and all-round great taste makes it a fantastic Sauce to enjoy with Proteins, over Salads, or simply as a dipping Sauce for Chips or Bread

For more amazing Sauce recipes just like this one, check out these tasty recipes:

• Mojo Picon Sauce
• Roast Poblano Chili Sauce
• Mustard Velouté Sauce
• Garlic Scape Chimichurri
  
  

Happy Cooking!