Schug is a green Yemenite Hot Sauce made out of cilantro, jalapeno peppers garlic and Middle Eastern spices. It's spicy and perky, the best way to spice up your meals!
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What is schug sauce?
Schug is a Yemenite hot sauce that combines blended hot peppers, herbs, spices and citrus. It used to be made in a mortar and pestle, but these days a food processor makes short work of the entire process.
You may occassionally see schug spelled as zhug. Whether you call it schug or zhug, this Yemenite hot sauce recipe is one you won't soon forget!
Schug has a zesty, spicy flavor. it can feel very hot if you eat it on its own, but it mellows considerably when combined with other foods.
I also love mixing schug with mayonnaise for schug mayo, or with mayonnaise and sour cream and diced veggies to add a bit of spice to my vegetable dipping sauce.
Why you should try this Schug hot sauce
Having a good, exotic and homemade hot sauce in your cupboard can mean the difference between humdrum meals and OUTSTANDING recipes that set your mouth dancing!
True, you can usually pour some Sriracha or Tabasco on your eggs or grilled cheese, but I believe taking a few minutes to make a batch of homemade hot sauce can really set your food apart.
This hot sauce is one of my favourite condiments because it is:
- Not too spicy
- Nuanced - the mix of sour, spicy and herbaceous really makes this sauce complex, unlike many vinegar-based hot sauces
- Gluten-free
- Vegan
- Raw
- Paleo
- Keto
- Whole 30 appropriate
- Ready in minutes
- Keeps for months in your fridge
If you are looking for more Israeli and Middle Eastern food, check out my Jewish recipes section.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need for this easy schug recipe:
- jalapeno peppers
- diced cilantro
- garlic cloves
- cumin
- cardamom
- salt & black pepper
- olive oil
Equipment
- Cutting Board
- Chef's Knife
- Food Processor
- Jar with lid, or ice cube tray
This is the most interesting cardamom I've tasted that's commercially available. Try if you want to spice up your food!
Directions
Making this sauce really could not be easier.
Just place all the ingredients in a food processor with a steel blade and process to a smooth mash. Top with more olive oil, and store in a jar in the refrigerator.
Storage
Yemenite schug will keep in the fridge in a well-sealed container for a week weeks, and even a month or two. Just make sure you top it with a bit of olive oil if the sauce looks too dry.
Freezer
You can easily freeze this schug recipe! Just make sure you store it in a plastic container OR leave plenty of room for the sauce to expand in your glass jar.
You can also freeze this sauce in ice cube trays, similar to my cilantro pesto. That way you'll end up with schug hot sauce cubes that you can easily add to dishes as you cook.
Scaling the recipe
This recipe makes about 250g of schug, or about 1 cup of Yemenite hot sauce. That should last you for a while, but feel free to increase the quantity of the peppers and the rest of the ingredients accordingly.
Serving suggestions
A smear of schug hot sauce is crucial for my Middle Eastern eggplant grilled cheese sandwich. But I also like to add it to my shakshuka, eggs, beans, soup and so much more! It's a very versatile hot sauce.
Try these dishes with schug hot sauce:
Other Middle Eastern recipes you will love
For more spicy recipes:
Recipe
Tried and loved this recipe? Please leave a 5-star review below! Your reviews mean a lot to me, so if you've got any questions, please let me know in a comment.
Yemenite hot sauce (schug)
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Put all the schug ingredients in a food processor with a steel blade and process to a smooth mash. Top with olive oil as needed to ensure it is properly covered. Store in a jar in the refrigerator.
- Schug will keep in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for a few months. You can also freeze it in a plastic container, or in ice cube trays.
Brianna says
This sauce was amazing! The combo of peppers,cilantro and cardamom is fantastic.
kseniaprints says
It's such a great balance of flavors
Melanie says
This looks like an amazing condiment option for bbq parties! Thank you so much!
kseniaprints says
A must-have on my BBQ side table!!!
Hayley Dhanecha says
I love the combination of flavors used here! Ive always wanted to try schug but never gave it a go - your recipe looks great!
kseniaprints says
Please do - it'll seriously change your life!!!
Brenda B says
I will be. Wondering if I can add one or two serrano peppers? or would this alter your recipe flavor profile too much please?
kseniaprints says
Yes, definitely!
Tim says
Made this recipe last night, it is excellent on burritos. Marinating chicken for tonight.
kseniaprints says
It's also amazing in grilled cheese and I love it with kofta / keftas / kebabs
Rivkah says
Welp. I doubled it, but should NOT have doubled the salt. Oooooo well. It’s satisfyingly spicy regardless. Will try again!
kseniaprints says
Oh shoot! I'm actually going to add that in the notes section, that's a great point.