🇹 Ethiopian · Traditional Side Dishes & Condiments
🟢 Ethiopian Green Chilli Paste
አረንጓዴ በርበሬ — Ye'arenguade Berbere
Ethiopian Green Chilli Paste — fresh green jalapeños and serrano chillies blended with garlic, ginger, coriander, and a squeeze of lemon into a vibrant green condiment. The bright, fresh alternative to red awaze — used as a table condiment alongside grilled meats and fish.
Green chilli paste is the fresh counterpart to the dried-chilli-based awaze — made from raw green jalapeños, it is brighter, more herbal, and has a different heat character than red awaze. Popular as a dipping sauce at Ethiopian restaurants.
Ingredients
Equipment: Blender or food processor
- 6 fresh green jalapeños — roughly chopped
- 2 serrano chillies (for extra heat)
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger
- ¼ cup fresh coriander
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp salt
Method
- Combine all ingredients in a blender.
- Blend until very smooth.
- Taste and adjust salt and lemon.
- Rest 15 minutes before serving.
Chef Tips
- More jalapeños = more flavour (milder heat); more serranos = more heat.
- The coriander adds fresh herbal brightness — do not omit.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not blending smooth enough — chunky is not right for this preparation.
The Science
Raw green chillies contain capsaicin in different chemical forms than dried red chillies — fresh chillies contain dihydrocapsaicin in higher proportions, which produces a slightly different heat sensation (broader, less pointy) than the capsaicin-dominant dried chilli heat.
Nutrition (per serving)
Health Benefits
- Fresh capsaicin.
- Vitamin C from raw chillies (much higher than dried).
- Coriander antioxidants.
Cultural Note
Green chilli paste is the vibrant, fresh face of Ethiopian condiment culture — where awaze and berbere are the deep, complex, dried-chilli tradition, green paste represents the fresh-harvest season's brightness.
Storage & Serving
Storage: Refrigerate 1 week. Freeze 3 months.
Reheating: Not applicable.
Serve with: On tibs (ETH022), On grilled fish (ETH085), As a table dipping sauce