Shatta (Levantine Hot Sauce)

Shatta

I am a chili head – I am known to put hot sauce on everything. Our dinner table is never without hot sauce, or some homemade chili sauce of some sort – regardless of the cuisine we’re eating. I see spiciness warnings on restaurant menus as a dare, and order my Thai food ‘Thai hot’ despite the warnings of the staff, who watch me from the kitchen to see if I’m actually going to eat it after all. With that being said, this recipe can be made as spicy or as mild as you’d like. The key is removing the pith (white inner bits) and seeds of the chilis if you are not as keen on spicy things.

Shatta is one of my favourite condiments – it’s simple to make (this variety has both red and green chilis in it, but you can make it just red or just green depending on your preferences), and its flavour goes well with just about any dish – vegetables, fish, grilled meats, even stirred into hummus. It is popular atop (or mixed into the sauce of) Egyptian koshari as well. Shatta is found throughout the Levant, but is most popular in Egypt and Palestine (particularly the coastal areas). Like most Mediterranean food, ratios of things depend on family recipes – but the key ingredients here are chilis and garlic.

Ingredients for Shatta
Ingredients to make shatta, a Levantine chili sauce popular in Egypt and Palestine.

If you prefer a milder sauce, use jalapeños instead – I’ve used red chili peppers and green serrano peppers here as they’re what’s most easily located in my supermarket (and because I like my sauce spicier). I also add dried Chinese (Tien Tien) chili pepper, and Aleppo pepper for good measure – the Aleppo pepper gives a subtle smokiness to the sauce. If you don’t have these on hand, you can substitute with some dried red pepper flakes to taste.

Shatta (Levantine Hot Sauce)

This chili sauce, popular in Egypt and Palestine, goes great with everything from vegetables, to fish, or hummus.
Prep Time15 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Condiment, Mezze
Cuisine: Egyptian, Levantine, Palestinian
Keyword: chili sauce, condiment, egyptian, gluten free, hot sauce, palestinian, parve, shatta, vegan
Author: The Elegant Economist

Equipment

  • Food Processor

Ingredients

  • 8 fresh Serrano peppers (or 4 large jalapeño peppers)
  • 2-3 fresh red chili peppers
  • 8 cloves fresh garlic
  • 6 dried Chinese chili peppers
  • 1 Tbsp Aleppo pepper
  • small handful of fresh coriander (cilantro)
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp unseasoned rice vinegar (or 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • juice of half a lemon
  • pinch of salt (to taste)

Instructions

  • If you prefer a less spicy sauce, remove the pith (white parts) and seeds from the peppers before placing in the food processor.
  • Add all chilis, garlic, and coriander (cilantro) to your food processor and pulse until chunky.
  • Add olive oil, vinegar, sugar, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and blend until it reaches your desired consistency. Add more salt if desired, and serve.

Notes

Keeps for about a week in your refrigerator.
November 4, 2019

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8 Comments

  1. Reply

    Rebecca

    November 15, 2019

    5 stars
    This was amazing and effortless. I used it to dip roasted cauliflower and crispy Brussels sprouts, to top flatbreads, on chicken tacos, mixed with my eggs, and on a turkey sandwich and it was excellent on everything!

    • Reply

      Elisabeth

      November 15, 2019

      Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I’m definitely going to try it with Brussels sprouts next 🙂

  2. Reply

    Aimee Wineland

    September 23, 2020

    would you consider this similar to aladdin’s eatery hot sauce?

    • Reply

      Elisabeth

      September 24, 2020

      I can’t say! I’m not familiar with Aladdin’s Eatery as we don’t have them in Colorado.

    • Reply

      Annie

      October 4, 2020

      5 stars
      It is! I searched everywhere to try to find what Aladdin’s/Sitoo’s sauce was and this is it. So good. I eat this on a chicken shawarma hummus plate and it is because of this sauce that I’ve had to make the dish about 6 times in the last month haha

      • Reply

        Elisabeth

        October 27, 2020

        I’m so happy to hear this! The next time I’m somewhere with an Aladdin’s Eatery I’ll definitely have to stop in. Thanks for commenting! 🙂

  3. Reply

    JenJenz

    June 6, 2021

    Does anyone know what I can use instead of cilantro

    I’m one of those “lucky” (s) people for whom cilantro tastes like soap

    • Reply

      Elisabeth

      September 15, 2021

      The cilantro / coriander definitely gives it a signature flavour, but I am sure you could use flat leaf (Italian) parsley in its place as well.

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