01.17.2020
5 Harissa Substitutes
Find five easy harissa substitutes, how to make harissa at home, where to buy it, and storage tips for best flavor.
- You can replace harissa with blends like berbere, chile paste, red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or ground New Mexico chiles plus caraway to match heat and flavor.
- Make quick homemade harissa by rehydrating dried chiles, blending them with roasted red peppers, garlic, spices, lemon juice, and olive oil, then refrigerating.
- Use substitutes as a condiment, marinade, vinaigrette, or finishing paste; adjust heat and smokiness by changing chile types and spice ratios.
Harissa Substitute
Harissa paste is a fragrant and spicy paste made from chilies and originates from North Africa. The Spice House’s Harissa paste comes from the Mahjoub family estate in Tebourba, Tunisia where the local cuisine traditions have been passed down for generations, giving you an authentic North African taste.
Substitutes for Harissa
Harissa paste can be used as a spicy condiment on bread and sandwiches and it also goes perfectly with braised beef and preserved lemon and this Moroccan carrot salad with harissa vinaigrette. Harissa paste can also be used on grilled honey chicken wings for an extra kick of flavor. Harissa paste is known for its heat and fiery flavor. To get the same impact without Harissa itself, you can use one of the following substitutes.
- Ground Red New Mexico Chilies + Caraway Seeds
- Berbere
- Chile paste
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Hot sauce, such as Sriracha
Common Harissa Paste Substitution Questions
Where to Buy Harissa Paste
You can find Harissa Paste in most grocery stores.
If you'd like to make Harissa at home, try this:
Harissa Recipe
To make harissa paste at home you’ll need:
- 7 Dried New Mexico Chiles, Guajillo Chiles, or a combination of any other chilies, like Chiles de Arbol, Chipotle Chilies, or Ancho Chiles
- 1 jar roasted red peppers drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt to taste
If you’re using dehydrated chiles, you’ll have to soak them in hot water for 30 minutes until they’re re-hydrated. Once the chilies are rehydrated, combine all ingredients in a high speed blender or food processor and blend until smooth, scraping down the sides and adding olive oil as necessary to create a smooth paste.
Top with olive oil and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
What Is Harissa Paste Made Of?
Harissa paste is composed mostly of chilies and a blend of spices including caraway seeds, ground coriander, ground cumin, smoked paprika and cayenne pepper. Harissa also usually has lemon juice and olive oil to finish it off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is harissa paste made of?
Harissa is a North African chili paste made mainly from chilies plus spices like caraway, coriander, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Lemon juice and olive oil are added for brightness and to make a smooth paste.
What are the best substitutes for harissa?
Good swaps include a mix of ground New Mexico chiles and caraway seeds, Ethiopian berbere, other chile pastes, crushed red pepper flakes, or a hot sauce like Sriracha. Choose based on whether you want similar smokiness, warmth, or texture.
How do I make harissa quickly at home?
Soak 7 dried chilies until soft, then blend with one jar drained roasted red peppers, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 4 garlic cloves, 1 tsp caraway, 2 tsp coriander, 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne, juice of 1 lemon, 2 tbsp olive oil and salt. Blend until smooth and top with olive oil before refrigerating.
Where can I buy harissa paste?
Harissa is commonly sold in major grocery stores, Mediterranean or Middle Eastern markets, and online retailers. Look in the international or condiment aisle or check specialty spice shops.
How can I match the heat level when using a substitute?
Control heat by choosing milder or hotter chiles, removing seeds and ribs, or mixing the substitute with tomato paste or yogurt to mellow it. Add cayenne or hot sauce to raise heat, or extra roasted peppers to reduce it.
How should I use harissa or its substitutes in recipes?
Use harissa as a spread on bread and sandwiches, a marinade for grilled meats, a vinaigrette base for salads, or a finishing spoonful on braised dishes. Substitute accordingly: pastes work like harissa; flakes or hot sauce are better mixed into liquids or oil first.
How long does homemade harissa last and how do I store it?
Store homemade harissa in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. Pour a thin layer of olive oil on top to seal it. It stays fresh about two weeks refrigerated, or you can freeze portions for up to three months.
What is harissa paste made of?
Harissa is a North African chili paste made mainly from chilies plus spices like caraway, coriander, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Lemon juice and olive oil are added for brightness and to make a smooth paste.
What are the best substitutes for harissa?
Good swaps include a mix of ground New Mexico chiles and caraway seeds, Ethiopian berbere, other chile pastes, crushed red pepper flakes, or a hot sauce like Sriracha. Choose based on whether you want similar smokiness, warmth, or texture.
How do I make harissa quickly at home?
Soak 7 dried chilies until soft, then blend with one jar drained roasted red peppers, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 4 garlic cloves, 1 tsp caraway, 2 tsp coriander, 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne, juice of 1 lemon, 2 tbsp olive oil and salt. Blend until smooth and top with olive oil before refrigerating.
Where can I buy harissa paste?
Harissa is commonly sold in major grocery stores, Mediterranean or Middle Eastern markets, and online retailers. Look in the international or condiment aisle or check specialty spice shops.
How can I match the heat level when using a substitute?
Control heat by choosing milder or hotter chiles, removing seeds and ribs, or mixing the substitute with tomato paste or yogurt to mellow it. Add cayenne or hot sauce to raise heat, or extra roasted peppers to reduce it.
How should I use harissa or its substitutes in recipes?
Use harissa as a spread on bread and sandwiches, a marinade for grilled meats, a vinaigrette base for salads, or a finishing spoonful on braised dishes. Substitute accordingly: pastes work like harissa; flakes or hot sauce are better mixed into liquids or oil first.
How long does homemade harissa last and how do I store it?
Store homemade harissa in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. Pour a thin layer of olive oil on top to seal it. It stays fresh about two weeks refrigerated, or you can freeze portions for up to three months.
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