Skip to main content Skip to footer
ACCOUNT
HELP
IMAGE ©Rena Sak - A Girl and A Spoon

Red Zhug Sauce

A Middle Eastern Sauce
a snack / dip / spread recipe
ingredients
3 guajillo peppers, whole
½ red bell pepper, roughly chopped
½ tsp cardamom seeds, decorticated*
¼ tsp coriander seeds, whole
¼ tsp cumin seeds, whole*
1 clove garlic, crushed
½ tsp salt
1 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp cilantro or parsley, finely minced (or 1 tsp each)
--- *alternatively use pre-ground
½ tsp cardamom seeds, ground
¼ tsp cumin seeds, ground
Red Zhug Sauce
A Middle Eastern Sauce
a snack / dip / spread recipe
Rena is a self-taught cook and baker who enjoys experimenting with ingredients, flavors and culinary techniques from around the world. Her Asian/American heritage, youth spent in the Middle East and European husband have greatly influenced her palate and creativity with food. She shares her small-batch recipes and photos/videos of her creations and the process on (@agirlandaspoon) and blog (agirlandaspoon.com).
a little bit about the recipe
Zhug is a spicy chili sauce that originates from Yemen, but is common in other countries in the region. You can find green or red versions, using either fresh or dried chilies. Zhug can be used as a standard hot sauce condiment (try it on a Falafel sandwich!) or as a topping. You can also mix it with other dip bases, like hummus or yogurt, for a spicy and flavorful kick.
TIME (ACTIVE) | 15 M
TOTAL | 15 M
1 SERVING | .5 cup
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:
FOOD PROCESSOR
directions

  • Carefully and preferably with gloves, deseed and devein the chili peppers. Bring 2 cups of water to boil and turn off the heat. Add the dried chilies and cover, allowing them to soften for about 20 minutes. Then drain, reserving some of the soaking water.

  • Add all of the ingredients, except the cilantro/parsley, to a food processor and process until a thick sauce forms. Add some of the chile soaking water for a looser sauce.

  • Add the cilantro or parsley, and mix through. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container or jar and keep refrigerated.

tips
You can use an equal part of chopped tomatoes instead of the bell pepper, for even fresher tasting sauce. If using tomato, store the sauce for up to 5 days.

You can add more lemon for more acid or even more chilies for a more spicy version. A little sugar can also help balance the flavors.
ingredients in recipe
4.8
whole
Guajillo chiles are more fruity in taste than most other chiles; they have a mild to medium heat and complex layered flavor. In Mexican cooking they are second only to the ancho.
0.5 oz - REFILL$2
2 oz - REFILL$5
0.5 oz - REFILL $2
4.8
seeds
decorticated
Cardamom seeds have an intense eucalyptus-like flavor. The seeds also have slightly minty, citrus and floral notes.
0.39 oz - PORTION$0.50
2.3 oz - JAR$10
2.3 oz - REFILL$9
10 oz - REFILL$25
0.39 oz - PORTION $0.50
4.9
whole
These oblong light-brown seeds are distinctively earthy, musky, and almost charred in flavor. They are aromatic and respond particularly well to toasting.
0.28 oz - PORTION$0.50
1.25 oz - JAR$4
1.25 oz - REFILL$3
6 oz - REFILL$9
0.28 oz - PORTION $0.50
5.0
whole
A versatile spice with a bright citrusy flavor. Coriander seed is found in dishes from many cultures: Tex-Mex, Indian, Middle Eastern, etc. Whole seeds are also found in pickling spices.
0.18 oz - PORTION$0.50
1 oz - JAR$5
1 oz - REFILL$4
4 oz - REFILL$13
0.18 oz - PORTION $0.50
5.0
seeds
ground
Cardamom is a strong spice with equal parts menthol, floral, and sweet flavor. It is widely used in traditional Indian, Middle Eastern and Nordic cuisines as well as a popular flavoring for tea and coffee.
0.35 oz - PORTION$0.50
2 oz - JAR$11
2 oz - REFILL$10
8 oz - REFILL$29
0.35 oz - PORTION $0.50
4.9
ground
This highly aromatic spice is pungent and earthy in flavor. An essential spice in Mexican, Indian, and North African cooking.
0.32 oz - PORTION$0.50
2 oz - JAR$6
2 oz - REFILL$5
8 oz - REFILL$12
0.32 oz - PORTION $0.50
custom label info included!
need new
SPICE JARS?
Each empty jar comes with a customizable label so you can keep track of what you decant. Only $1 each.
REPLACE YOUR ODD-SIZED JARS!
want a new
SPICE RACK?
Fill this wooden display rack with ANY of your pinch jar favorites for $49 (rack + 12 pinch jars).
SELECT 12 SPICE PINCH JARS!
fill with 12 pinch jars!
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
SIGN UP
©Selefina | by adagio teas - copyright 2024
Privacy Policy   |   Cookie Policy
Ask us a question.
Anytime!
Questions?
Selefina ChatBot
You may ask me any question and I will gladly answer.

If you don't like my answer, please take a look at our FAQs.
>