Moroccan Chermoula Marinade (Printable)

A fresh blend of cilantro, lemon, garlic, and aromatic spices for flavorful North African dishes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fresh Herbs

01 - 1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
02 - ½ cup packed fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

→ Aromatics

03 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 small shallot, finely minced (optional)

→ Citrus

05 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon

→ Spices

06 - 2 teaspoons ground cumin
07 - 1½ teaspoons sweet paprika
08 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
09 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, adjust to taste
10 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Pantry

11 - ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
12 - 1½ teaspoons sea salt

# Method:

01 - In a medium bowl, stir together cilantro, parsley, garlic, and shallot if using.
02 - Incorporate the zest and juice of the lemon into the mixture.
03 - Sprinkle ground cumin, paprika, coriander, cayenne pepper, and black pepper over the mixture.
04 - Pour in the olive oil and season with sea salt.
05 - Stir ingredients adequately until a thick, fragrant paste forms.
06 - Taste and modify salt or lemon content as desired.
07 - Coat fish fillets or whole fish generously with marinade, cover, and chill for 30 minutes to 2 hours prior to cooking.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • It takes 10 minutes to make but tastes like you've been cooking all day.
  • One batch elevates any fish from ordinary to restaurant-quality without any real technique.
  • The fresh herbs and lemon keep everything bright and clean, never heavy or cloying.
02 -
  • Don't make this more than a few hours ahead—the herbs will darken and lose their brightness if they sit too long.
  • Always taste the marinade before using it on your fish, because spice tolerance is personal and no recipe can account for that.
03 -
  • If your fish is very delicate, marinate it in a glass bowl instead of metal—acids react differently with different surfaces and can affect flavor.
  • The shallot is optional but adds a subtle sweetness that balances the heat and makes everything feel more polished.
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