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This Creamy Zhoug Sauce is a spicy cilantro sauce mixed with yogurt to cool the spice. The flavor is similar to the zhoug sauce from Trader Joe’s. You can use this creamy sauce as a dip for veggies, a spread for a sandwich, or for some extra flavor on the side of your favorite meal.
Cool down this spicy sauce with some rich and creamy yogurt.
Like any good food blogger or millennial, I love Trader Joes. Like I really love it. I love the atmosphere, the products, and the employees.
Sometimes when I come across a product that I really love it becomes my inspiration for my next Mad About Food recipe. I loved the zhoug sauce, but I have to be honest it was a little too spicy for me.
SO, I made a version of my own. I toned down the spice and stirred in some full fat Greek yogurt to cool it down and this creamy zhoug sauce was born.
What kitchen tools will you need to make this sauce?
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Microplane for grating garlic
- Immersion blender
- Large wide mouth jar
- Small spatula
What ingredients will you need to make this creamy dip?
Let’s make some Creamy Zhoug Sauce!
Step 1: Prep Ingredients
First, mince the garlic and chop the jalapeño. I like to use a microplane to grate my garlic cloves. I also deseed my jalapeño, but if you like an extra spicy sauce you can keep the seeds in.
Step 2: Blend Ingredients
Then, add the lemon juice, garlic, crushed red pepper, salt, extra virgin olive oil, jalapeño, and cilantro to a large wide mouth jar. Next, blend the ingredients with an immersion blender until evenly combined.
Step 3: Fold in the Yogurt
Then, add the full-fat yogurt to the jar. Finally, fold the yogurt in the sauce using a spoon or small spatula.
Step 4: Enjoy!
How long will this sauce keep in the fridge?
Once prepared, store your sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I like to use a half pint jar for this. It will keep for up to 7 days in the refrigerator.
Keep reading to grab the full recipe! If you make this sauce, please rate and review it in the comments or let me know on Instagram!
Creamy Zhoug Sauce
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dip
- Method: Blend
- Cuisine: Yemeni
Description
A creamy, spicy cilantro dip that you can make at home in just 10 minutes!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mince garlic cloves and seed and chop jalapeño
- Add lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, crushed red pepper, salt, garlic, jalapeño, and cilantro to a large wide mouth jar
- Blend the ingredients with an immersion blender until it is an even mixture
- Add yogurt to the jar and stir in with a spatula or spoon
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one week
Keywords: zhoug sauce, healthy sauce, healthy dip
Hi there, love your blog! Quick Question- would you say it’s imperative to use an immersion blender, or would a regular blender (I have a Ninja) would work? Thanks!
Just saw your note about the immersion blender that I some how missed the first time, sorry, feel like a ditz!
Not a ditz at all!! You can definitely use a regular bleder! I’ve done it both ways 🙂
Would you say the avocado oil is irreplaceable in this recipe? Not something I normally use and was just wondering how important it is. I almost always have olive oil.
I just meant that the subtle flavor is what you are searching for. Using olive oil will affect the taste, but it will still work!!
I love this sauce! I made it in a good processor and it came out amazing. I put it on sandwiches, tacos, and used it as a veggie dip. Will make again when I can get to the grocery store again. 🙂
★★★★★
ah yay so glad you enjoyed!! I definitely want to grab these ingredients next time I can make it to a store!
Any reason why the full fat yogurt or is plain no fat Greek yogurt acceptable? I’m trying to keep my points down for my WW meal planning. Thinking this will be great in Fish Tacos.
No fat will be fine! I use full fat because I like more fat in my meals, but it will still be delicious on fish tacos with no-fat yogurt!
I just made this and it’s amazing! I used the whole jalapeno because I like a lot of spice, and I’m excited to pair it with so many different things! I love garlic and cilantro so I feel like I’ll be using it a looot. Thanks Madeline!
★★★★★
Ah yay! I am sooo glad. Love that you upped the spice 🙂
Sooo good!! Ive put it on roast beef and scrambled eggs. Will use just as I would use tzatiki sauce. I highly recommend this recipe. I doubt I’ll ever know if it can last a week in the refrigerator. 😋
★★★★★
Aw thank you!!! I am so glad you’re enjoying it