Harissa Sauce (Harissa Paste)

Never heard of harissa sauce... maybe you’ve heard of harissa paste? Well, if you enjoy spicy food, meet your new best friend! 

close up angled shot of jar of harissa sauce


 

What is Harissa Sauce?

Harissa is a Tunisian (North African) hot chili pepper paste. The main ingredients can be one or a blend of any roasted red peppers, Baklouti pepper, serrano peppers, and other hot chili peppers, spices and herbs such as garlic paste, preserved lemon, coriander seed, saffron, rose, or caraway, as well as some vegetable or olive oil to carry the oil-soluble flavors. Needless to say, this is a SUPER flavorful sauce!

Historically harissa hailed from the Middle East and was made with Maghrebi hot chili peppers. I’ve also seen Moroccan versions and others that use fresno chiles and bird’s eye chiles.

What Chilies To Use?

Since these chiles aren’t available worldwide, but the condiment was so tasty, other cultures started making their own adaptations of harissa sauce using local pepper varieties. 

The original harissa recipe uses roasted red peppers, garlic, serrano peppers, coriander, caraway seed and olive oil for preservation. Some even added rose petals. Fancy! 

close up shot of harissa sauce on spoon

Modern day harissa sauce has many variations. And like many sauces and condiments, feel free to put your own spin on it.

Some use tomatoes, tomato paste, smoked or roasted garlic and red bell peppers, smoked paprika, cumin, salt and even mint.

I haven’t been able to find any recipes that still use rose water or rose petals, but hey, be my guest! 

I use New Mexico dried chilies, which are in the International aisle near Latin foods and sometimes just labeled “chile peppers,” but you can always special order other blends and flavors or use chipotle for a smoky heat. 

overhead shot of jar of harissa sauce

Ingredients

For such a short ingredient list, this harissa sauce really does pack a punch.

  • Dried peppers – Sometimes just labeled “chile peppers,” they may also be called guajillo peppers or arbol peppers.
  • Garlic – It’s always best to use fresh garlic. It packs way more of a punch than the pre-minced bottled version.
  • Roasted red pepper – You can easily find a jar of these at your local grocery store.
  • Caraway seeds – These seeds add a nutty, bittersweet sharpness with a hint of citrus to this sauce.
  • Extra virgin olive oil – For sauces like this, I like to make sure to use a good quality olive oil. They’re pricier but worth it.
  • Seasonings – I’d be willing to bet you already have both coriander and cumin in your spice cabinet.
  • Lemon juice – This is optional, but it does add a nice zing and some zest to our spicy sauce.
overhead shot of harissa sauce ingredients

Variations

There are plenty of ways for you to make this harissa sauce your own. Here are a few suggestions.

  • Toast spices – If you want to intensify the flavors, toast spices (caraway seeds, coriander and cumin) in a dry skillet ahead of time.
  • Lemon juice – Some folks like to add a spritz of lemon juice to their homemade harissa- this is up to you.
  • Add ins – If you’d like to add some fresh herbs to your sauce, something like cilantro or parsley would be perfect.

Using Dried Chiles

Most recipes that use dried chiles also require you to reconstitute them in water, then remove all the seeds and the steam. My version just uses them dry.

I do break off the stems, but otherwise the food processor will blend seeds right on in and other liquids will soften the peppers.

Some use a mortar and pestle bowl to grind the chiles before adding the liquids. It’s really up to you.

Just to be safe, you might want to wear gloves. Touching your eyes after handling these peppers is a big no no.

overhead shot of spoon in jar of harissa sauce

How to Make Harissa Sauce

My process is really easy and it will take longer to gather the ingredients than it will to actually make the sauce.

  1. Combine ingredients. Combine the dried peppers, garlic, roasted red pepper, caraway seeds, olive oil, coriander and cumin to the food processor.
  2. Pulse until a paste forms. If the mixture is still too thick, add more olive oil, one tablespoons at a time, until the desired consistency.
  3. Store or use immediately. Cover and store in the refrigerator or use immediately.
harissa sauce ingredients poured into food processor

Uses

Well, you can use a harissa paste in so many dishes- just about anything you would typically use any other hot sauce. A little goes a long way and packs a punch.

I like to top hummus with mine or blend it with plain Greek yogurt for an excellent marinade worthy of chicken, meats and seafood, even vegetables! Dip tortilla chips right on in or use to punch up soups and stews. 

It also makes a great salad dressing and many people make harissa potatoes, beans and vegetables. Anything you’d use hot sauce on, can be used with harissa.  

overhead shot of harissa chicken kabons

Storage & Freezing

How to Store Harissa Sauce

You can store leftover harissa sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

Can I Freeze Harissa Sauce?

It can also be frozen. I like to freeze it in an ice cube tray and then pop out the individual pieces to use in small doses.

angled shot of jar of harissa sauce

More Spicy Recipes

If you know me, you know I like a little spice in my life. Here are some of my favorite spicy recipes.

Jalapeno Bacon Wrapped Chicken is a cheese stuffed chicken breast recipe using three cheeses and fresh jalapenos. Avocado and lime cool off the hot flavors. #baconwrappedchicken #jalapenopopperchicken www.savoryexperiments.com

Bacon Jalapeno Popper Chicken

Jalapeno Bacon Wrapped Chicken is a cheese stuffed chicken breast recipe using three cheeses and fresh jalapenos. Avocado and lime cool off the hot flavors. 
See The Recipe!
Spicy Thai Chicken Pizza uses a rich peanut satay sauce with shredded chicken, colorful vegetables and topped with sweet honey roasted peanuts and spicy chili oil. #thaichicken #homemadepizza www.savoryexperiments.com

Spicy Thai Chicken Pizza

Spicy Thai Chicken Pizza uses a rich peanut satay sauce with shredded chicken, colorful vegetables and topped with sweet honey roasted peanuts and spicy chili oil.
See The Recipe!
angled shot of sriracha aioli in bowl surrounded by veggies and chips

Sriracha Aioli Recipe (Spicy Aioli)

With only 4 ingredients and a few minutes, you can have a spicy sauce that is amazing! Sriracha Aioli is great on sandwiches or as a dipping sauce!
See The Recipe!
overhead shot of spoon in jar of harissa sauce with text overlay
close up angled shot of jar of harissa sauce

Harissa Sauce

5 from 8 votes
Harissa Sauce or Harissa Paste is spicy chile sauce blended with spices. Add to marinades, hummus, salad dressings and more for some heat!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1 cup

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine the dried peppers, garlic, roasted red pepper, caraway seeds, 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, coriander and cumin to the food processor. Pulse until a paste forms. If the mixture is still too thick, add more olive oil, one tablespoons at a time, until the desired consistency.
  • Cover and store in the refrigerator or use immediately.
  • If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings section.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 426 kcal, Carbohydrates: 11 g, Protein: 2 g, Fat: 43 g, Saturated Fat: 5 g, Sodium: 517 mg, Potassium: 230 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 3 g, Vitamin A: 2180 IU, Vitamin C: 22.4 mg, Calcium: 45 mg, Iron: 2 mg
Author: Chef Jessica Anne
Calories: 426
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keyword: harissa paste, harissa sauce
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
collage of harissa sauce
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

5 from 8 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    Well, this caught my eye! We love spicy food and I’ve never thought to make our own harissa sauce. Can’t wait to try this on the weekend on some bbq chicken kebabs. Thanks!

  2. 5 stars
    I love harissa sauce but sometimes I can’t get to the store to pick some up so this recipe is so helpful! thank you!

  3. 5 stars
    I usually buy this but I was excited to make it at home and I am so glad I did. It is easy and I can customize it to my own taste. so good!