Name: Schug - Hot Yemenite Condiment
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 3 large jalapeno peppers (seeds and membranes removed) diced (See note 1); 3 tightly packed cups of fresh cilantro; 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1 small garlic clove; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp coriander seeds or ground coriander; 2 tsp cumin seeds or ground cumin

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This spicy, herby, green sauce is deliciously addictive! Schug will replace your favorite hot sauce faster than you can say, "pass me the water!"

Close up of schug in a patterned white and blue bowl with a wooden spoon and some jalapenos and cilantro in the background

What is Schug?

Schug, the spicy Yemenite condiment that accompanies nearly every Middle Eastern meal, is much more than a hot sauce; it’s a savory mixture of chili peppers and spices that delivers an earthy, bright heat to vegetables, rice, and other dishes.

Schug (pronounced skoog) is also sometimes spelled zhug, zhoug or skhug. The Arabic word means "to crush" and this spicy green sauce is often made by hand with a mortar and pestle. It is meant to be used sparingly as it is packed with flavor from fresh herbs and heat from chilies.

Birds eye view of jalapeno peppers, cilantro, garlic and a lemon on a wooden board

Ingredients needed to make this Schug recipe

Make sure you choose the freshest ingredients possible to ensure your zhoug has a bright taste.

Hot Peppers. We use jalapeños here, but you can also use serrano
Fresh Herbs. We use all cilantro because we love the flavor, but you can also use ½ cilantro and ½ parsley
Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Garlic Cloves.
Spices. You can use Coriander and Cumin seeds, or already ground spices.
Salt.

Instructions and Tips: How to Make Schug

Wear gloves when handling hot peppers to prevent the spicy oils from staying on your hands. You can use the cilantro leaves and stems so none of the bunch goes to waste.

If you want a spicier schug you can add more jalapeños. If you want a smoother texture, replace the coriander and cumin seeds with pre-ground spices. When storing your homemade schug, add a layer of olive oil on top to help preserve it longer.

jalapeno pepper cut in half seeds and membranes removed

Remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeño peppers

Wash the cilantro well to remove any gritty dirt or sand

Place all the ingredients in the food processor and pulse until everything is finely chopped, but still chunky

Store in a glass mason jar in the refrigerator.

How to Eat Schug

We love this homemade condiment inside sandwiches and wraps, with our baked falafel or on top of roasted veggies like our Cauliflower-Chickpea Sheet Pan Dinner. Try mixing it with tahini for a great sauce to go with your favorite protein or as a savory dip for everything from roasted potatoes and fresh bread to sushi rolls. You can even stir in a drop to your favorite salad dressing for a little extra zing!

Schug in a patterned white and blue bowl with a wooden spoon and some jalapeno peppers and cilantro in the background

What’s the Difference Between Schug and Harissa?

Chili sauces are as varied as their countries of origin, and the Middle East offers a great array of spicy sauces. Egyptian Shatta incorporates tomatoes and parsley to chili paste; and Syria and Turkey combine chilis with walnuts, pomegranates, and breadcrumbs to create Muhammara. Moroccan and Tunisian Harissa is similar to Schug since it is made with a combination of chilis, cumin, coriander, garlic, and olive oil. Unlike Schug however, harissa uses dried red chilis to make chili paste, and caraway is often added to deepen the flavor.

Tips for Storing and Freezing Schug

Store in a glass airtight container in the fridge. Schug should last a couple of months if you add a thin layer of olive oil on top.
Always use a clean utensil to scoop the schug out of the jar. DO NOT double dip or it will easily spoil.
Freeze schug that you are not planning to use within a month. We recommend freezing it in ice cube trays, to easily control how much you want to defrost and use.

More Homemade Condiments, Sauces, and Dips

We encourage you to experiment with various Middle Eastern condiments like the ones below. It may not be long before your weekly meal planning includes a generous portion of Schug!