What is Harissa?

Learn the difference between ground Harissa Powder, Harissa Paste and Harissa Sauce

by Justina Sullivan
Harissa powder, paste, and sauce displayed on a light stone surface. The image shows vibrant red harissa powder in a measuring spoon with a small pile beside it, along with two bowls containing smooth harissa paste and a slightly chunky harissa sauce. Perfect for adding bold, spicy North African flavour to dishes

Table of Contents

What is Harissa?

Harissa is a hot aromatic powder, paste or sauce made from red chillies, cumin, coriander, caraway, smoked paprika, garlic, lemon and oil. Some versions use dried mint or oregano. Harissa is used in North African and Middle Eastern cuisines to flavour stews, soups, tagines, couscous and other regional dishes. It also makes a great dipping sauce when mixed with oil or yoghurt.

The History of Harissa

In the 16th century capsicum red chilli peppers were introduced to Mediterranean countries, predominantly Spain. From there it spread to surrounding areas of the Mediterranean Sea including Tunisia in North Africa, which provided the perfect climate for the peppers to grow.

However, it was in Tunisia that harissa originated and became a famous condiment in many local dishes. Through its popularity it then continued to spread to other regions and countries including Algeria, Libya, and Morocco, producing many variants of the original recipe.

A blend of chilli, cumin, coriander, caraway and garlic to make a harissa powder spice blend

What Does Harissa Taste Like?

With a strong earthy, peppery and smokey flavour it can range in levels of heat depending on the blend and type of chilli used. The paste can often have a strong garlicky flavour with a sharp kick of citrus.

There Are Three Types of Harissa: Powder, Paste, and Sauce.

Harissa comes in 3 different forms – powder, paste and sauce. As with any spice blend, the recipe and the proportions of ingredients mixed together vary from region to region. Here are 3 popular recipes, each with its own unique texture, and explanations of how best to use each blend in your cooking.

Harissa Powder Recipe-Flaevor

1. Harissa Powder (Harissa Seasoning)

A combination of spices ground into a powder that can be kept in the cupboard for months. It is quick and easy to make and has a slight advantage over harissa paste. Harissa powder can be used in cooking as a seasoning and spice, added to dips and sauces or sprinkled over finished dishes as a garnish. It will keep for up to 2 months if properly sealed in an airtight jar and stored in a cool, dark cupboard.

Typically Harissa Powder Ingredients Contain:

To view the full recipe on flaevor.com for Harissa Powder, click here

How Do I Use Harissa Powder in Cooking?

  • Meat Rub Spice Mix: Harissa powder becomes an instant rub for cuts of meat and fish such as beef, lamb, chicken or fish.
  • With Grains and Rice: Add to plain rice or Middle Eastern Pilaf for a deliciously spicy kick
  • Eggs: Sprinkle the powdered version over fried eggs or blend into butter to baste whilst frying
  • Dips: Blend into hummus and serve as a dip alongside chopped vegetables and chips.
  • Spicy Infused Oil: Blend into oil and use to drizzle over vegetables, meat and salads.
  • Tagines and Stews: Use as a powerful flavour boost to your tagines, stews or any other slow-cooked one-pot dishes
Close-up image of vibrant red harissa paste in a rustic ceramic bowl, showcasing its thick, textured consistency. This North African chili paste is made with red chilies, garlic, spices, and olive oil, perfect for adding bold, smoky, and spicy flavors to marinades, sauces, and dips

2. Harissa Paste

The paste differs slightly from the powdered version, using dried red chillies soaked in water and blended with spices, salt, lemon juice and olive oil. Harissa paste has the deepest and strongest flavour, with a wonderful warming kick. More than just a condiment for cooking, it can also be used as a seasoning for bread, cheese and dips or blended into oil or yoghurt as a side sauce.

The vibrant colour and heat depend on the type of chilli used. There is a lot of freedom when choosing chillies for a harissa blend – dried baklouti chillies are the traditional Tunisian choice, but guajillo or ancho chillies can be used for a more neutral heat. If you like a bit of a kick, try Kashmiri chillies for their earthy, peppery flavour.

"Overhead view of key harissa paste ingredients on a white plate, including dried red chilies, garlic cloves, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, smoked paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, sea salt, olive oil, and lemon juice. Perfect for creating authentic North African harissa with bold, spicy, and smoky flavors."

Typical Harissa Powder Ingredients Contain:

• Dried red chillis (such as dried baklouti chillies, kashmiri, or Guajillo Chilies)
• Fresh garlic cloves
• Sea salt flakes
• Lemon juice
• Cumin seeds
• Coriander seeds
• Caraway seeds
• Smoked paprika
• Dried mint (or oregano)
• Olive oil

To view the full recipe on flaevor.com for Harissa Paste, click here

How Do I Use Harissa Paste in Cooking?

  • Yoghurt: Blend harissa into yoghurt to make a spicy but cooling sauce for grilled meats, fish, and vegetables or served with eggs
  • Spicy Tomato Sauce: Stir through tomato-based sauce for an earthy and spicy kick
  • Meatballs: Add a teaspoon of harissa paste to your meatball mixture for the ultimate spicy pasta dish
  • Roasted Chicken: Stir a small amount through pan juices or gravy and serve alongside roasted chicken and potatoes or rice
  • Cheesy Toast: Blend with butter and cheese to make a nicely spiced melted cheese sandwich
  • Butter: Combine with melted butter to use as a baste for vegetables
  • Potatoes: Mix a little harissa with sour cream for a delicious potato salad dressing
  • Chilli Dip: Blend into a little more olive oil and use it as a condiment on cheese and meat boards

Can You Replace Harissa Paste with Harissa Powder?

Yes. Harissa powder is simply the dried version of peppers and spices blended together. This can also be mixed with oil, fresh garlic and some lemon juice to create a paste. Both versions can be used during cooking to achieve a similar taste.

dark ceramic bowl filled with harissa sauce

3. Harissa Sauce

Harissa sauce is a more volumised version of the paste. It has a subtly sweet base due to the inclusion of roasted red peppers, complemented by the smoky notes of paprika. Similar in texture and taste to Avjar, but spicier. Served as a side sauce with all kinds of Middle Eastern or African dishes and or spread inside kebabs or shawarma wraps. Its versatility also makes it great for blending into dips or served as a condiment alongside any type of grilled, roasted or steamed meat, fish and vegetables.

dark ceramic plate with harissa sauce ingredients

Typical Harissa Powder Ingredients Contain

  • Whole red pepper (also known as paprika or capsicum)
  • Coriander seeds
  • Cumin seeds
  • Caraway seeds
  • Smoked paprika
  • Olive oil
  • Fresh garlic cloves
  • Hot red chillis, such as birds-eye, chopped
  • Tomato puree
  • Lemon juice
  • Sea salt flakes

To view the full recipe on flaevor.com for Harissa Sauce, click here

How Do I Use Harissa Sauce

  • Middle Eastern Spiced Skewers: Serve on the side with yoghurt and a crisp salad
  • Use as a condiment: Serve with pickles, bread, cheese and cold meats
  • Serve at BBQs: Great served alongside smoked and BBQ meat, fish and vegetables
  • Kebabs: Use as a sauce inside shawarma, kebab, felafel or other wraps
  • Sandwiches and Burgers: Used as a sauce to spice up a burger or sandwich
  • Eggs and Harissa: Served alongside breakfast eggs or fry-ups
  • Pizza: Add to pizza sauce for a spicy kick
  • Toast: Spread across toast with cheese and pickles

What is The Difference Between Harissa and Rose Harissa?

Rose harissa contains the same ingredients as a standard spice blend but crushed rose petals or rose water is added. This gives the spice mix a subtle floral flavour.

Homemade Harissa vs Shop-Bought Versions

It’s easy to make your own spice blend at home, especially if you want to control the level of chilli heat. However, some store-bought versions work just as well, provided you choose a good quality blend. African supermarkets offer great authentic powdered blends. Due to its popularity in Western culture, thanks to chefs such as Yotam Ottolenghi, the paste can be bought in most supermarket chains and delis, as well as online.

What Can I Use Instead of Harissa? Substitutes

Missing key ingredients? Find worthy substitutes by combining a few key ingredients. Below are some examples:

  • Berbere spice blend – a North African spice blend with a similar flavour profile
  • Cumin + fresh red chilli or chilli powder
  • Smoked paprika + cayenne pepper
  • Smoked paprika + Chilli powder

Below Are a Selection of Recipes on Flaevor.com Using Harissa

Beige ceramic plate on a white wooden table top with beef kebab skewers, roasted red pepper salad and creamy yoghurt feta dip topped with pine nuts and dill fonds

Beef Kebabs with Charred Pepper and Feta Whip

This well-balanced plate is reminiscent of Turkish and Mediterranean mezze or charcoal-grilled kebabs. Perfectly spiced beef mince in the style of kofta, sour and sweet textures from red peppers in vinaigrette and smooth tangy whipped feta and yoghurt. Beef Kebabs with Charred Pepper and Feta Whip Recipe here:

Harissa Moussaka

Harissa Spiced Moussaka

It’s a creamy, spicy, textured flavour explosion. Classic moussaka recipe of lamb mince is pimped with North African spices of harissa, cinnamon and mint, then layered and topped with lemony sumac and cumin-infused bechamel sauce. Pure indulgence. Harissa Spiced Moussaka Recipe here

salmon trout with fennel and orange salad on a black plate

Orange Fennel Trout with Harissa Aioli

A succulent fillet of trout is combined with chewy pearl barley, a crisp citrusy orange and fennel salad and harissa-spiced aioli. Drenched in an orange-ginger vinaigrette, this dish is guaranteed to brighten your mood.
Orange Fennel Trout with Harissa Aioli recipe here

Hummus topped with beans in a green bowl

Baharat Two-Bean Hummus

A creamy two-bean ‘hummus’ enriched with baharat spice blend, topped with caramelised onions and extra-spicy beans. Finished with a drizzle of harissa chilli oil, it’s exciting on the tongue, warms you from the inside out, and has layers of texture and flavour that keep you dipping. Baharat Two-Bean Hummus recipe here

Harissa Roasted Cauliflower Toast

Harissa Cauliflower Toast with Sumac Yoghurt

Harissa turns a rather bland cauliflower into a satisfying main dish when perfectly oven-roasted and put between crusty toasted Turkish bread. Served with a side of lemony sumac yoghurt and topped with fresh coriander, it’s a great example of deeply satisfying vegetarian food. Harissa Cauliflower Toast with Sumac Yoghurt Recipe here

Harissa Crumbed Fish with Hummus Recipe

Harissa Crumbed Fish with Hummus

This recipe proves that any simple ingredient can be transformed into something magical with the right spices. A nice white fish fillet is enhanced with a spicy harissa crumb and pan-fried to perfection. The addition of hummus and fresh cucumber salad makes the whole dish light and refreshing. Harissa Crumbed Fish with Hummus Recipe here

Harissa Honey Glazed Roasted Vege Recipe

Harissa-Honey Glazed Roasted Vegetables

Harissa-Honey Glazed Roasted Vegetables is a luxurious dish that can be served as a main or a great side dish. Flatbread, pita or sourdough would go lovely to scoop up the thick creamy and herb-laden Charred Green Feta Sauce lying underneath. Harissa-Honey Glazed Roasted Vegetables Recipe here