By: kseniaprints · Published: · Updated: · This post may contain affiliate links.
Jump to Recipe Pin RecipeJump to Video
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!
Jump to:
- What is schug sauce?
- Why you should try this Schug hot sauce
- Ingredients
- Equipment
- Directions
- Storage
- Scaling the recipe
- Serving suggestions
- Recipe
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
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:
- The Ultimate Guide for Making Uzbek Chicken Plov
- Instant Pot Chicken Ghallaba Recipe
- Gluten-Free Irish Boxty Potato Pancakes
- Moqueca recipe (Brazilian fish stew with coconut milk)
Other Middle Eastern recipes you will love
- Bocadillo Guava and Cheese Hamantaschen
- Rose Pistachio Hamantaschen
- How to make fermented pickles at home (kosher dill pickles)
- Jam Filled Dairy Free and Gluten-Free Sufganiyot, aka Hanukkah Jelly Donuts
For more spicy recipes:
- Mexican Gluten-free Cornbread that is Sweet and Spicy
- How to make Ají (Colombian salsa): The best hot sauce you didn't know you were missing!
- Spicy citrus salad with pistachios, or the dish that distills the pardes {V, GF, Paleo}
- Spicy Moroccan Carrot Salad
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)
Ksenia Prints
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!
4.95 from 40 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Course Condiment, Hot sauce, Sauce
Cuisine Jewish, Middle Eastern, yemenite
Servings 250 gram
Calories 4 kcal
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.
Nutrition
Serving: 5gramsCalories: 4kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 9mgPotassium: 1mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 1mg
Keyword cilantro, garlic, gluten-free, hot sauce, jalapeno, keto, paleo, peppers, spicy, vegan, whole 30
Tried this recipe?Comment + Rate Below!
Connect on Instagram!Find us @immigrantstable
About Ksenia
Welcome to At The Immigrant's Table! I blend my immigrant roots with modern diets, crafting recipes that take you on a global kitchen adventure. As a food blogger and photographer, I'm dedicated to making international cuisine both healthy and accessible. Let's embark on a culinary journey that bridges cultures and introduces a world of flavors right into your home. Read more...
