Shatta

A simple, raw or lightly cooked hot chili sauce/relish of chopped or blended red or green chilies, garlic, and vinegar or lemon, sometimes with cumin or coriander. The everyday Egyptian table chili condiment.

Flavor Profile

Straightforwardly hot and tangy, with garlic pungency; less complex than harissa or zhoug, functioning more like a fresh hot sauce.

Culinary Uses

Table condiment for koshari, ful medames, and grilled meats; stirred into stews for added heat.

Regional Variations

Green shatta (fresh, uncooked) is common alongside red (often lightly fermented or cooked) shatta; home recipes vary widely in whether vinegar or lemon is used.

Storage

Refrigerate; keeps 2–3 weeks given the vinegar/acid content.