Yemenite Schug – Spicy Herb Garlic Pepper Sauce Recipe | Tori Avey

Nobody does spice quite like the Yemenites, and schug is the “crown prince” of spicy condiments. It’s a fiery, garlicky, herby green sauce that adds a spicy kick to all kinds of foods. Throughout the years my schug recipe has become very popular with friends and family. I have simplified the process a bit, and also added a Passover modification for those who want to spice up their matzo balls... or what have you.

I have a huge cookbook library with lots of Middle Eastern cookbooks (several are vintage/out of print), and many of them contain recipes for schug– sometimes spelled skhug, zhug or s’hug. The preparations vary widely, but a few things remain constant– greens, garlic, spices and spicy peppers. Oh yes, my friends, this stuff will absolutely clear your sinuses. My husband is convinced that the longevity of the Yemenite people is directly tied to their regular intake of schug.

Schug is one of the most popular condiments in Yemenite Jewish cuisine. There are two types of schug– schug yarok (green) and schug adom (red). The green tends to be more common, so that’s the recipe I’ve shared here. If you’re interested in learning the red version, comment and let me know.

Schug is meant to be used sparingly, and the process of making it is not for the faint of heart. The scent alone burns… but it burns so good! I liken this to a fiery-strong Middle Eastern pesto. A very small portion packs a flavor wallop. Stir it into soups, stews or sauces, spread a little on a sandwich or warm pita bread, drizzle it on pasta, or serve it with grilled steak for an herby kick of flavor.

Recently I had a friend request schug for Passover, which challenged me to come up with a version that works for the holiday. Ashkenazi Jews who are avoiding kitniyot will not eat some of the spices in schug during the holiday. In the “Notes” section below I have provided some alternate ingredient suggestions.

This stuff is delicious in a “holy cow it burns” kind of way. Pepperheads, brace yourselves… prepare to meet your new favorite condiment.

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Schug

Recipe for fiery, herby green Yemenite sauce with cilantro, parsley, jalapeños, garlic, spices and salt. Adds a spicy kick to all kinds of foods. This recipe makes roughly 2 cups of schug. 

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COURSE: Side Dish

Kosher Key: Parve

Servings: 32 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 10 whole jalapeño peppers
• 2 cups chopped cilantro, or one bunch
• 2 cups chopped parsley, or one bunch
• 8 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
• 6 cardamom pods, or heaping 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
• 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds, optional
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• Pinch black pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, or more as needed

NOTES

You will also need: Kitchen gloves, food processor

Passover Substitutions: For Ashkenazi Passover, you may omit the cardamom and caraway, then substitute the following non-kitniyot spices: pinch of cinnamon, pinch of nutmeg, 1/2 tsp anise seeds. The cumin is not considered kitniyot and should be added in the same amount - 1/4 tsp. 

Serving size is for 1 tablespoon of schug (it's very strong and spicy-- a little goes a long way!)

Instructions

• Carefully stem and seed the jalapeño peppers. Wear gloves for this if possible; the peppers will leave a layer of capsaicin on your skin for 24-48 hours that can really make you miserable (your skin will feel burny and if you touch your eyes, they will burn badly). Best to wear gloves and avoid this misery! 

  Discard the seeds and white pith, unless you REALLY love spicy flavors... then, reserve a few. I doubt you'll need them though.
  
• Remove the seeds from the cardamon pods and discard the green pods. If you don't have pods, substitute a heaping 1/4 tsp cardamom powder.
  
  
• Add the parsley to your food processor and roughly chop, then add the cilantro and roughly chop. Make sure it's rough, you don't want an herb puree here... bits, pieces and stems are fine at this point.
  
• Place the jalapeños, garlic, salt, cardamom seeds (or powder), caraway seeds, cumin, pepper and olive oil into the food processor. 
  
  
• Pulse the mixture, scraping the sides periodically, until the whole thing begins to resemble a pesto-like consistency-- not super smooth, a little texture is good.

  Taste the mixture. Careful, it's hot! Add more salt to taste if needed (salt really makes the spicy flavors pop). If you want it hotter, you can blend in some additional jalapeño seeds. But seriously, it's plenty hot without the seeds. Add more olive oil for taste and texture, if desired.
  
• Keep it in a sealed jar or tupperware in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Check by smelling to ensure freshness. I don't recommend keeping longer than a week. Schug does freeze and defrost well; I often make a big batch and freeze in smaller 1/2 cup portions, which we thaw as needed.
  

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Schug

Amount Per Serving

Calories 151 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 966mg42%

Potassium 424mg12%

Carbohydrates 10g3%

Fiber 3g13%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 4950IU99%

Vitamin C 76.1mg92%

Calcium 111mg11%

Iron 4.2mg23%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

tried this recipe?
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