Chermoula (North African Cilantro Parsley Sauce) Recipe
Chermoula is a vibrant North African sauce made from fresh cilantro, parsley, garlic, and a blend of aromatic spices. This cilantro parsley sauce is perfect as a marinade, condiment, or accompaniment to grilled meats, fish, and vegetables, offering a fresh, zesty, and slightly smoky flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: About 1 cup 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: North African
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Herbs
- ¾ cup Fresh flat leaf parsley (leaves and stems)
- ¾ cup Fresh cilantro (coriander) (leaves and stems)
Spices and Flavorings
- 2–3 Garlic cloves
- 1 tsp Ground cumin
- 1 tsp Ground coriander
- ½ tsp Smoked paprika
- ½ tsp Red pepper flakes (optional, use more or less)
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Liquids
- 2–3 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 Lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
Instructions
- Load your processor: Add fresh parsley, cilantro, garlic cloves, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, a generous pinch of kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to a small food processor.
- Process the ingredients: Pulse or process the mixture until you achieve a lightly chunky sauce, similar in texture to chimichurri. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed. If you prefer a looser consistency, add more olive oil. Serve the chermoula at room temperature as a condiment or sauce.
Notes
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the heat level to your preference.
- Chermoula can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Use it as a marinade for fish or chicken before grilling or roasting.
- Adding lemon zest and juice brightens the flavor, but you can adjust acidity to taste.
- For a smoother consistency, process longer; for chunkier texture, pulse gently.
Keywords: Chermoula, North African sauce, cilantro parsley sauce, chermoula recipe, fresh herb sauce, marinade, condiment, chimichurri-style sauce, grilled fish sauce
