Skhug, also known as zhoug, sahawiq or zhug, is a green sauce made from cilantro, garlic, chile peppers, and other spices invented by Yemeni Jews. Its bold flavor and versatility are making it more popular on restaurant menus in the United States, especially as demand grows for Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors.
Like chimichurri, skhug adds a fresh kick to dishes like eggs and grain bowls, but unlike chimichurri it tends to be quite spicy. Its rise in fast-casual restaurants and meal kits has also helped bring it to the mainstream. Last October, for example, Velvet Taco featured skhug in a Weekly Taco Feature and spicy skhug Margarita.
According to market research firm Datassential, skhug is found on 0.5% of all U.S. restaurant menus, a 41% increase over the past four years, with awareness highest among vegan and vegetarian consumers.
Click through the gallery above to learn more about skhug and see how one Denver restaurant is using it on a sandwich.
