What Is Harissa, the Spicy, Peppery Condiment We Will Never Quit? (2024)

FAQs

What Is Harissa, the Spicy, Peppery Condiment We Will Never Quit? ›

It's a chile paste made from a variety of dried chile peppers (ranging from very hot to mild) that are rehydrated then blended with olive oil, spices (usually toasted for a more intense flavor), and, sometimes, garlic.

Harissa (Arabic: هريسة, romanized: harīsa, from Maghrebi Arabic) is a hot chili pepper paste, native to the Maghreb. The main ingredients are roasted red peppers, Baklouti peppers (بقلوطي), spices and herbs such as garlic paste, caraway seeds, coriander seeds, cumin and olive oil to carry the oil-soluble flavors.

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.

Harissa is most commonly found ready-made in jars, tubes and cans. A spice powder version is also available. Your best bet for finding harissa is Middle Eastern markets, specialty stores and in the ethnic section of most grocery stores.

Harissa is very pepper forward and often has a strong smoky taste thanks to the roasted peppers. There are also strong hints of garlic and citrus from the lemon juice. The flavor is slightly similar to sriracha, but sriracha tends to be sweeter than harissa.

This hot, aromatic paste made from chilli and assorted spices and herbs is spicy and fragrant. It's widely used in North African and Middle Eastern cuisines as a condiment, or mixed with water or tomato juice to flavour stews, soups or couscous.

A HARISSA SAUCE FOR ALL: Harissa is a chili paste hot sauce commonly used in Moroccan cuisine, and Mina Mild Harissa Sauce makes this exotic flavor accessible to all with a milder kick. Use it for cooking or as a condiment, sauce, spread, topping or dip.

Sumac - Sumac is a very lemony, citrusy spice. While it is different than harissa, you could use sumac as a harissa alternative, but I would recommend mixing with chili powder or smoked paprika to balance out the citrus flavor of the sumac.

This blend, although spicy, is also sweet, smokey, and very versatile. You may use it as a simple rub for meat, in a kicky tomato sauce, or as a subtle accent in a salad dressing.

But what is harissa, this condiment we use with such frequency and gratitude? Great question. Harissa originally hails from Tunisia and has become a cornerstone of many Tunisian, Israeli, Moroccan, Libyan, and Algerian dishes.

What does harissa go with? ›

The spicy and aromatic chile paste that is widely used in Middle Eastern and North African cooking adds a kick of spice to any meal, from soups and stews to roasted vegetables to salads and even in marinades for proteins. Add it to hummus or your favorite dip or simply add to olive oil for bread dipping bliss.

This deep red concoction is smooth and spreadable, with a little smoke flavor (from the grilling), and a healthy amount of heat.

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.

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.

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.

It's time to rescue dinnertime from the bland zone with one tomato paste substitute: harissa. If you've never worked with it before, harissa is a spicy, smoky, peppery paste made from chile peppers, garlic, and olive oil.

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.

A restaurateur and food writer, Saad Fayed has published hundreds of recipes and articles about Middle Eastern cuisine. Harissa is a hot chile paste that is commonly found in North African cooking, mainly Moroccan, Algerian, and Tunisian cuisine.