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
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.
Nutrition
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...
Jael says
I love schug, and can't live without it;D , so I make it on a weekly basis.
kseniaprints says
A regular supply of schug is a dream!
Jere Cassidy says
This sauce has the most amazing green color and I do love a good hot sauce. Love how easy this is to make.
kseniaprints says
I hope you'll love the flavor as much as the color!!
Anaiah says
I never heard of the term schug before but I am so glad I tried this hot sauce recipe! It had the perfect amount of kick and I love adding it to so many dishes.
kseniaprints says
YES! I'm so glad I made another convert.
Heather says
I can taste the spicy fresh goodness already 😀 This sauce has basically all of my favorite ingredients and I cannot wait to eat it on everything!
kseniaprints says
And it's insanely easy to make!!!
Chenée Lewis says
I'm growing jalapeños in my garden and I was so excited to try this! The flavors are incredible! I'm gonna put it on everything!
kseniaprints says
You definitely will - but I am BEYOND jealous that you're growing jalapenos!!!
veenaazmanov says
I am drooling. Sounds hot and spicy and perfect to go as an appetizer. I would love to try out some for my breakfast or any meal option.
kseniaprints says
It really is perfect for breakfast!
Allyssa says
It tasted so amazing! Highly recommended! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, it's very easy to make! Loved it!
kseniaprints says
I'm so glad!!! Another schug lover, high five!
Tristin says
Such a beautiful and bright combination of flavors! Love that I can make a bunch of this sauce and freeze into ice cubes for later use.
kseniaprints says
Yes! The ice cube trick is my favourite.
Kushigalu says
We love spicy food and this hot sauce is something new to me. Looks so delicious too. I will have to make this soon.
kseniaprints says
Hope you love it as much as we do!
Kate says
I love it that Schug is diet-friendly and can't wait to make my own!
kseniaprints says
It'll brighten up all your meals!
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!!!