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Home » Chili Pepper Recipes » Sauces » Chermoula Recipe (Vibrant North African Sauce)

Chermoula Recipe (Vibrant North African Sauce)

by Mike Hultquist | Chili Pepper Madness · Apr 18, 2022 · 15 Comments

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Chermoula sauce is a versatile North African condiment of fresh herbs, oil and spices used as a marinade or sauce for meats, seafood, vegetables and more.

Chermoula Recipe

Chermoula Recipe

You may not be familiar with "chermoula", but if you've had traditional herb and oil based marinade-sauces like chimichurri, zhug, salsa verde, even this pesto recipe, you've had something quite similar.

Chermoula is a North African condiment typically used as a marinade for a variety of seafood, but truly it is so much more versatile. It is considered a Moroccan sauce.

You can use it for marinating steak or chicken, or finishing grilled vegetables. Consider it as a finisher as well for grilled or roasted meats, like thick cuts of steak or roasted whole chicken.

In reality, many different parts of the world have incredibly similar recipes that are only different because of the need to use local ingredients.

If  you compare different herb sauces from other countries side by side, you'll find incredible similarities, as they are, at their core, a mixture of oil, fresh local herbs, and local seasonings.

Of course those seasonings, as well as ratios, will vary from region to region, but lucky for us, they usually turn out DELICIOUS!

Let's talk about how to make chermoula, shall we?

Chermoula Ingredients

  • Fresh Herbs. Use both chopped cilantro and parsley.
  • Peppers. I'm using serrano peppers today. You can sub in red pepper flakes.
  • Shallot.
  • Garlic Cloves.
  • Lemon Juice. Preserved lemons are popularly used.
  • Seasonings. Cayenne powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and optional saffron threads. Ground coriander is good, too.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The higher quality, the better. You can use other oils, like canola oil.

How to Make Chermoula - The Recipe Method

Prep the Food Processor or Blender, or a Bowl. Simply add all of the ingredients to a food processor or blender. Here I've added the main ingredients, minus the oil, to a bowl.

For Chunkier Chermoula. Add the oil and hand mix the chermoula until well combined.

Mixing chermoula ingredients in a bowl to make fresh chermoula

For Smoother Chermoula. Add the oil and pulse the mixture several times to achieve your desired consistency. You can also use a pestle and mortar.

You may need to scrape down the sides of the processor to get everything down.

A spoonful of Chermoula sauce from a bowl

For an Even Smoother Chermoula. Add the ingredients to a blender or food processor except for the oil. Pulse to combine.

Then, with the processor running, drizzle the olive oil until the sauce smooths out to your liking.

Here is a smoother "green chermoula", which focuses more on the herbs and less on the spices. This green sauce is very popular as well.

Chermoula Recipe - A great marinade or herbed sauce

Boom, done! Your delicious chermoula sauce is ready to go. Serve it up as desired!

Recipe Tips and Notes

  • The Chili Peppers. For this recipe, I've included the fiery serrano pepper for a bit of zing and kick, but if you're able to obtain local African chili peppers, please use those instead. Think African Bird's Eye, Fatalii, Congo, though truly, it is best to incorporate your best quality local peppers to your heat and flavor preference.
  • Storing Chermoula. Spoon it into containers and top it with a bit of olive oil. Cap it so it is airtight, then keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Can You Freeze Chermoula? You can freeze your Chermoula in plastic baggies. Or spoon it into ice cube trays, freeze it, then remove the frozen Chermoula "cubes" and store those in plastic baggies or freezable containers. They will last 3 months this way, or longer.

Serving Ideas for Chermoula

  • Marinade. Using your freshly made chermoula to marinate chicken is a great way to use it. Chicken and chermoula is a classic combination. You can marinate any cut of chicken, bone in or boneless, overnight to add extra flavor and moisture. After preparing the chicken, spoon on a bit more chermoula as a finishing sauce and you're good to go. It's delicious!
  • Use it as a Finishing Sauce. Chermoula sauce is great for any roasted vegetables or meats or grilled meats, chicken and pork on particular, but also lamb and veggies. Add a spoon over a grilled steak. Amazing. Try it on this Ancho Crusted Porterhouse or this Grilled London Broil Steak.
  • As a Dip. Chermoula works great as a dipper for pitas or other chips.

Try it on this Peri Peri Chicken recipe, or this Grilled Harissa Chicken Recipe.

Grilled Harissa Chicken Legs served on a big plate

Storage

Have any leftovers? Lucky you! Store your chermoula in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. The oil may congeal a bit in the refrigerator, but will return to normal at room temperature.

You can freeze red chermoula for 3 months or longer. I like to freeze them in ice cube trays for simple serving sized portions, then storing them in freezer bags. Or, see my Recommended Products section below for an excellent product for freezing foods.

Cookbook Recommendation

If you enjoy spicy cooking, I hope you'll check out my cookbook! 75 easy recipes with big, bold flavor.

  • The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook, by Mike Hultquist (affiliate link, my friends!)
The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook - Fiery, No-Fuss Meals, by Michael Hultquist

Recommended Product

Souper Cubes - 2 Tbsp, 1/2, 1 and 2 Cup Silicone Freezer Trays With Lids - Meal Prep and Kitchen Storage Solutions.

You will LOVE these cubes. I have been using them for over a year now and I use them for freezing sauces, salsas, soups, stews, and more.

Amazon Affiliate links, my friends! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Try These Other Popular Recipes

  • Green Chimichurri Recipe (Chimichurri Verde)
  • Red Chimichurri Sauce (Chimichurri Rojo)
  • Homemade Harissa
  • Sambal Oelek
  • Peri Peri Sauce
  • Romesco Sauce
  • Mojo Picon - Canarian Red Pepper Sauce
  • Salsa Verde Recipe
  • Ajvar
  • Green Harissa
Herbaceous Chermoula on a large spoon

If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.

Chermoula Recipe
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Chermoula Recipe

Chermoula sauce is a versatile North African condiment of fresh herbs, oil and spices used as a marinade or sauce for meats, seafood, vegetables and more. Use it as a finishing sauce for many dishes, or for marinating fish, shrimp, or chicken.
Save Recipe Saved!
Course: Salsa, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cilantro, parsley, sauce
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes minutes
Calories: 106kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist
Servings: 10
Tap or hover to scale
4.72 from 7 votes
Leave a Review

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 cup chopped parsley
  • 1 serrano pepper chopped (optional, for spicy)
  • 1 shallot chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic (or more, as desired)
  • Juice from 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne powder
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • Salt to taste
  • 8 saffron threads (optional)
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil (Use up to 1 cup as desired - you can also use other oils, such as canola oil)

Instructions

  • For Chunky Chermoula. Hand mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl (or molcajete), or pulse in a blender or food processor until combined to your preference.
  • For Smooth Chermoula Sauce. Add all of the ingredients except the oil to a blender or food processor. Process until until well combined. Scrape down the sides, then drizzle in the oil slowly while processing until all of the oil is incorporated and the sauce is smooth to your desired consistency.
  • Use immediately.

Notes

Heat Level: Mild-Medium. You can easily add extra heat with spicier peppers.
This will keep in the refrigerator a few days. Makes about 2 cups. For a spicier version of this recipe, include spicy dried chili flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce, or incorporate spicier peppers to your palate’s preference. Use jalapeno peppers for a milder version with just a bit of heat, or omit them altogether.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 106kcal   Carbohydrates: 2g   Protein: 1g   Fat: 11g   Saturated Fat: 2g   Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g   Monounsaturated Fat: 8g   Sodium: 6mg   Potassium: 83mg   Fiber: 1g   Sugar: 1g   Vitamin A: 1027IU   Vitamin C: 10mg   Calcium: 17mg   Iron: 1mg
Chermoula Recipe
Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

NOTE: This post was updated on 4/18/22 to include new information and photos. It was originally published on 4/30/18.

Reader Interactions

Comments

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Stacey says

    June 08, 2024 at 3:44 pm

    5 stars
    This is an outstanding recipe as is. Love it!! Great spicy flavors and compliments anything you put it on. Nice job.

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      June 09, 2024 at 7:36 am

      Thanks, Stacey! I love to hear it! I appreciate it.

      Reply
  2. Phil Hockley says

    January 26, 2024 at 1:46 pm

    Made this. Cut down on the chilli and served it with Lamb Chops seasoned with Ras el Hanout, Saffron fruit couscous washed down with a nice NZ Pinot Noir. Great! Glad I found your website.

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      January 26, 2024 at 1:54 pm

      Sounds wonderful to me, Phil! I'll take some! =)

      Reply
  3. Damien C. says

    April 23, 2022 at 8:23 am

    5 stars
    Another great one. Big hit in the house tonight. Wow.

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      April 23, 2022 at 8:23 am

      Great to hear, Damien! Glad you enjoyed it! I appreciate it.

      Reply
  4. Jérémie says

    April 19, 2022 at 1:37 pm

    5 stars
    Hey Mike!
    I knew the Chermoula name, but never have tasted it before! Very nice! I used it to marinate (and as a finishing sauce of) some barbecue grilled pork belly slices: awesome, thank you, Sir!

    Just a detail: the page you quoted about your Pan Seared New York Strip Steak With Garlic Bourbon Butter sadly doesn't seem to exist anymore- this one recipe seems hot, though.

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      April 19, 2022 at 2:20 pm

      Thanks, Jérémie. Yes, so good! We really love this recipe. Yes, thanks for the heads up on the link! Oops!

      Reply
      • Jérémie says

        April 19, 2022 at 2:45 pm

        5 stars
        If I may allow myself to complete: saffron, in my opinion, isn't optional but obligatory, it gives an unequaled splendor to this sauce. For me, a Chimichurri's lover, its Moroccan cousin just really stirred my house... thanks to you, Dear Mike!

        Reply
        • Mike Hultquist says

          April 19, 2022 at 3:14 pm

          Absolutely, Jérémie! Thanks for completing! I love with saffron as well. Excellent!

          Reply
  5. Dave Kirk says

    April 18, 2022 at 1:37 pm

    5 stars
    Mike, this is a great recipe. But why do you say it will only last a few days in the refrigerator. Given the amount of lemon juice and oil, shouldn’t it last much longer?

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      April 18, 2022 at 1:41 pm

      Thanks, Dave. I appreciate it. It could last longer, but it will lose freshness, and there are issues associated with garlic in oil (botulism) if left out too long. This is one best used right away.

      Reply
  6. Carl says

    April 30, 2018 at 9:27 am

    5 stars
    The best way to make it. I have tried it a few different ways and this is my preference. It is very fresh and brings much to a dish.

    Reply
  7. Antonio Caballero says

    April 30, 2018 at 9:23 am

    3 stars
    Personalmente no procesaría los ingredientes, deben estar picados pero no muy grandes y nunca debe tener esa apariencia de pasta...seguro que esta buenisima pero no es el propósito de la chermoula. Prueba a no ptoesarla y a marinar pescado tipo dorada y hacerla en una parrilla con el pescado marinado en chermoula y rellleno por dentro,ya veras que plato.
    Felicidades por tu blog, tienes maravillosas recetas verdaderamente rabiosas y sabrosas. Enhorabuena

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      March 10, 2022 at 9:44 am

      Antonia, you can process it as much or as little as you like. It is the personal preference of the cook.

      Reply

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