Chermoula (North African Cilantro Parsley Sauce) Recipe
Chermoula is a vibrant North African sauce made with fresh cilantro, parsley, garlic, and warming spices, perfect as a marinade or condiment to enhance grilled meats, fish, or vegetables. This fresh and zesty sauce delivers layers of bright herbal flavors with smoky paprika and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: About ¾ cup 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: North African
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Herbs
- ¾ cup Fresh flat leaf parsley (leaves and stems)
- ¾ cup Fresh cilantro (coriander leaves and stems)
Aromatics & Seasonings
- 2–3 Garlic cloves
- 1 tsp Ground cumin
- 1 tsp Ground coriander
- ½ tsp Smoked paprika
- ½ tsp Red pepper flakes (optional, adjust to taste)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh black pepper, to taste
Liquids & Citrus
- 2–3 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
Instructions
- Load your processor: Add fresh parsley, cilantro, garlic cloves, extra-virgin 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 sauce: Pulse or blend the ingredients until the mixture reaches a lightly chunky consistency, similar to chimichurri. Taste the chermoula and adjust the seasoning as desired, adding more salt, pepper, or olive oil for a looser texture. Serve the sauce at room temperature as a condiment or marinade.
Notes
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder sauce.
- This sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; bring to room temperature before serving.
- Use as a marinade for fish or chicken, or as a topping for roasted vegetables and grilled meats.
- Chop garlic finely if you don’t have a food processor to maintain texture balance.
Keywords: Chermoula, North African sauce, cilantro sauce, parsley sauce, marinade, chimichurri style, fresh herb sauce
