Harissa (2024)

FAQs

What is harissa sauce made of? ›

Originally from Tunisia, harissa is a chile sauce or paste typically made of dry red chiles, garlic, citrus, extra virgin olive oil and a few warm spices including cumin, coriander and caraway seeds.

“A lot of people think harissa is about spiciness,” he says, “but it's really about the quality of the chiles, the olive oil, the spices. The traditional harissa is valuable in two senses: the time and labor required to make it, and the value that you're getting, the amount of chiles and flavor instead of water.”

Empirically, the heat between these two is the same, but because harissa is a paste made predominantly of mashed peppers, it can seem hotter than sriracha sauce. Absent of sugary sweetness and more earthy in flavor through the herbs, harissa stands out for its addition of pepper with this sriracha substitute.

Harissa Health Benefits

Aside from good flavor, capsaicin improves heart health, lowers blood pressure, aids in digestion, boosts metabolism and improves immunity. The spices: The coriander, caraway and cumin spices involved in traditional harrisa provide a complex flavor profile, but so much more.

Harissa is most closely associated with Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Libya. However, it is most deeply rooted in Tunisian cuisine, and is sometimes described as Tunisia's national condiment.

Harissa that has gone bad often has mold, an off smell, or a sour taste. It can also darken in color from a vibrant red to a dull brown. If you notice any of these things, it's best to discard the paste. Store harissa in the fridge after opening, with the lid tightly sealed.

Harissa sauce is simply a variation of harissa paste where more olive oil has been added to form a thinner consistency than the paste.

MINA'S MILD HARISSA SAUCE IS MILDER THAN THE ORIGINAL RED SPICY HARISSA. IT'S PERFECT FOR PUTTING ON YOUR FAVORITE FOODS OR USING AS AN INGREDIENT FOR COOKING.

Can you substitute chipotle paste for harissa? No, they taste totally different. Chipotle paste may also work in dishes you might normally use harissa in but I object to the word “substitute” here because these two pepper sauces are very much not equivalent.

Is harissa the same as gochujang? ›

While it may not have the same Korean flavor profile as gochujang, harissa paste can still provide a fiery heat to your dishes. Harissa paste tends to be spicier than gochujang, so adjust the quantity according to your tolerance level.

or even curry paste sauce to change the flavor profile.

Hot Sauce

If a recipe calls for Harissa, often you just want some heat. In this case whatever hot sauce you have in the house will do the trick. Tabasco, sriracha, sambal oleck, chilli bean paste or korean Gochujang will all prove the kick needed. Just be careful to match the amount to your heat tolerance.

Harissa is a fiery and garlicky North African spice paste that's traditionally served alongside bread, stews, and couscous dishes. Recipes vary widely but it's usually made with spices including caraway, cumin, and coriander, and sometimes herbs, like mint.

Add some spice to your meals and try our incredible Moroccan Harissa Recipe. Great as a marinade, a steak rub, or add to stews and salads. We will show you two versions – raw and roasted; which will you try?

What Does Harissa Taste Like? If you've never tried this fiery sauce before, it has a very peppery, smoky flavor and can range in levels of heat, depending on which peppers and chiles make up the sauce. It also has a strong garlicky flavor that's brightened up with a kick of citrus.

First, many brands that make harissa have hot and mild varieties. You obviously already know what these distinctions mean: If you want more spice, go for the hot. If you want sweeter, more floral pepper flavor with minimal heat, go for the mild.

Harissa is a fiery and garlicky North African spice paste that's traditionally served alongside bread, stews, and couscous dishes. Recipes vary widely but it's usually made with spices including caraway, cumin, and coriander, and sometimes herbs, like mint.