Zhug is a bright, herby, spicy and versatile condiment originally from Yemen and popular throughout the Middle East. A blend of chopped jalapenos, cilantro, parsley, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil, and seasoned with salt, black pepper, cumin and cardamom, if you’re not familiar with it yet, you could think of it as a Middle Eastern chimichurri. This general purpose condiment has a bold, spicy flavor that is both hot and tangy, aromatic and herbaceous and brings a savory, rich punch to anything you put it on.
You can use your Zhug as a condiment on almost anything. It is particularly well-suited for Middle Eastern foods such as shawarma, falafel, hummus, and grilled lamb. It is also great on any savory Western dishes as well, such as fish, chicken, beef, as a dip by itself or mixed with yogurt or mayo, as a sandwich spread, or as a marinade.