Homemade Spicy Cilantro Sauce (Zhoug) with Hummus

If you’re looking for a spicy, flavorful, and delicious dipping sauce, look no further than this recipe for homemade spicy cilantro, often called zhoug or zhug sauce. This Middle Eastern condiment can be used to marinate chicken, topped on fish, dolloped on hummus, or enjoyed with crackers and crudités for a delightfully tangy and spicy dip loved by all. This post is sponsored by Crunchmaster and contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosures.

Are you looking for a tasty gluten-free sauce to spice up a bland dish? Or maybe you’re looking for a beautiful dip that adds zing to your charcuterie board?

Today, I want to introduce you to zhoug (pronounced “zoog”), the lesser-known but equally compelling cousin of pesto and chimichurri sauces. Zhoug is often spelled zhug as well.

This intensely spicy and herby green sauce is naturally gluten-free. It hails from Yemen and is a staple ingredient in Middle East and Israeli cuisine.

Zhoug is packed with delightful flavors and vibrant colors that can transform boring meals and appetizers into exciting and bold fare.

As you’ll see in this article, I added homemade zhoug on top of creamy hummus to add depth and flavor to this classic Mediterranean dip. You could also drizzle zhoug over roasted, steamed, or grilled meats and vegetables, and it makes an excellent marinade for chicken or fish. I even enjoy it as a stand-alone spread on Crunchmaster crackers and gluten-free toast.

Wherever you spread or drizzle zhoug, you will add flavor, depth, beauty, and deliciousness … guaranteed!

What’s Inside Zhoug?

Inside this bright, spicy dip and sauce, you’ll find:

Fresh Cilantro: Cilantro is the backbone of a good zhoug, giving the sauce its signature green hue and fresh, herbaceous flavor.

Peppers: Peppers add a fiery kick to this luscious green tip. You could use jalapeno or serrano peppers or a combination of both, like I did. Of course, I removed the stems, and to reduce the heat, I removed 2/3 of the seeds. For more heat, keep more of the seeds intact.

Garlic: Fresh garlic adds depth and fantastic flavor to all Mediterranean dips and sauces, including this zhug sauce.

Spices: My zhoug recipe includes cardamom, cumin, whole peppercorns, Kosher salt, and red pepper chili flakes, which are optional but add aroma and flavor depth to the beautiful sauce.

Olive Oil: Olive oil will help to bind everything together and give the zhoug a smooth, pourable consistency.

Lemon Juice: A little lemon juice will add flavor and help naturally preserve the sauce’s color and taste so you can enjoy it for up to a week without it spoiling.

How to Make Zhoug

Zhoug is incredibly easy to make in minutes! Here’s how:

(1) Wash one bunch of cilantro and place it in your food processor. Pulse it 4-5 times.

(2) Add two large or three small garlic cloves, two peppers (1 jalapeno and one serrano or any combination of the two), 1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamon, one teaspoon of ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon ground peppercorns (or fresh ground pepper, to taste), 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper chili flakes (optional), and two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice (1/2 lemon) to the food processor. Pulse until smooth.

(3) Add 1/3 cup of olive oil and mix the ingredients on high until they’re well combined and the sauce is smooth. Add more olive oil, if needed, to smooth out the texture. The consistency should be thick but pourable and not too watery.

(4) Taste the sauce and add more salt or heat (i.e., more red pepper flakes) if needed.

(5) Add the zhoug to a jar or storage container and store it in your fridge for up to one week.

Zhoug Over Hummus

One of my favorite ways to enjoy zhoug is over hummus and served with Crunchmaster Multi-Seed Crackers, which I always have stocked in my pantry at home.

To make homemade hummus, combine the following ingredients in your food processor and blend until smooth:

• 1 can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons tahini (sesame paste)
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (1/2 lemon)
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt, more to taste if needed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3-4 tablespoons water (add until you achieve desired smooth consistency)

Add the hummus to a serving dish and top it with a drizzle of homemade zhoug. Serve it with Crunchmaster crackers and vegetables for a unique, fresh, and healthy dip that will have your guests talking about your exceptional culinary skills.

Tips

Hummus: Don’t have time to make homemade hummus. Purchase store-bought hummus and transfer it to a serving dish. Drizzle it with homemade zhoug.

Peppers: Jalapenos provide milder heat to your zhoug. Add more jalapeno seeds or serrano peppers instead for a spicier zhoug. I combine one jalapeno and one serrano pepper to balance the hot and mild flavors. I also use about 1/3 of the seeds from each pepper.

Cilantro: Don’t like cilantro? You can use flat-leaf (known as Italian parsley) instead.

Ingredients: Use only gluten-free ingredients to ensure your final dish is free from the sticky gluten protein, which is found in wheat, rye, and barley.

Where to Find Gluten-Free Crackers: You can find Crunchmaster crackers at your local grocery, at Sam’s Club and Costco, or online in the Crunchmaster store.

Enjoy Homemade Zhoug

If you love spicy food, zhoug will be your go-to condiment. It adds flavor, depth, and plenty of heat to any dish you pour it on.

Remember, food restrictions don’t mean flavor restrictions. So be sure to bring on the flavor and make your dips and dishes sing with homemade zhoug.

More Recipes

Scroll my list of 18+ Gluten-Free Holiday Party Appetizers. Also, check out these recipes:

• Spicy Hummus with Crunchy Chickpeas
• Crispy Brussels Sprouts and Creamy Hummus Dip
• Warm Brie Cheese and Spiced Cranberry Compote Appetizer
• Spicy Eggplant Dip with Harissa Spice and No Tahini