What Is Harissa? And How to Use It (+ Easy Recipes)

Types of harissa

Harissa is available in three forms:

• Harissa paste: a condiment made from roasted red peppers or rehydrated dried chiles blended with toasted spices, garlic and olive oil. This is the most common of the three types of harissa.
• Harissa sauce: a ready-to-use spicy sauce.
• Harissa powder: a dry harissa spice blend or harissa seasoning.

In addition to these different harissa types, there are also variations in harissa flavours – like rose harissa, smoked harissa and apricot harissa.

How to make harissa paste

There are three main ways to make harissa paste:

• You can make harissa paste with roasted red bell peppers as the base adding heat with red chile peppers – like this rose harissa paste recipe. After roasting the fresh peppers, use a food processor to blend them into a harissa sauce and then cook the sauce into a thick, fragrant paste.
• You can make harissa paste using dried whole chilli peppers – like this easy harissa paste recipe using dried guajillo chiles, ancho chiles, and chile de arbol. Simply rehydrate the dried chillies in boiling water, then blitz them into a flavourful chile paste that’s ready to use immediately!
• And, finally, you can make a quick harissa paste from harissa powder. Simply stir harissa spice into hot water and let it sit for a few minutes. This is the quickest method, perfect when you’re in a rush.

More harissa favourites

This harissa recipe roundup would not be complete without a few of my favourites that got me hooked on harissa in the first place.

Pappardelle with rose harissa, black olives and capers

This hearty harissa pasta dish combines the spicy yet floral flavour of rose harissa with sweet, caramelised onions. Cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and capers turn this easy harissa pasta into a flavour-packed dinner. And you can prep the sauce up to three days ahead. Serve the pappardelle with a simple green salad for a cosy weeknight meal.

Try this pappardelle with rose harissa, black olives and capers recipe (from Ottolenghi).

Harissa honey chicken thighs

These harissa chicken thighs are a delicious, sticky, and flavourful dish. The chicken thighs are marinated in a blend of honey, harissa paste, apple cider vinegar, and garlic, and then roasted to perfection in the oven. The sweet and spicy glaze is the perfect accompaniment to the succulent chicken.

Serve the chicken with some minced cilantro for an extra hit of flavour.

Try this harissa honey chicken recipe (from The Endless Meal).

Grilled harissa chicken

This delicious grilled chicken with harissa is packed with smoky, tangy and spicy flavour. Marinate the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in garlic, red onion, coriander, black pepper, smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne and harissa paste. Grill it to perfection and finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and a generous drizzle of olive oil.

Serve it over couscous, with a side of veggies or a Mediterranean salad for a flavourful meal.

Try this grilled harissa chicken recipe (from The Mediterranean dish).

Harissa chicken traybake

This easy harissa chicken traybake is a zesty, one-pan recipe that transforms chicken legs into a flavour-packed feast. Spicy harissa paste, aromatic garlic cloves, and tangy lemon wedges add heaps of flavour, while cherry tomatoes and new potatoes roast to juicy and tender perfection. It’s an easy-to-make yet deeply satisfying weeknight meal.

Serve the harissa roast chicken traybake with warm pita bread and a green salad.

Try this harissa chicken traybake recipe (from BBC Good Food).

Slow-roasted harissa salmon

Roasting the salmon at a low temperature in a generous bath of extra-virgin olive oil ensures the fish remains tender. It is impossible to overcook the salmon. And the coating of harissa paste and grated garlic topped with roasted lemon slices, impart a spicy and aromatic flavour. Try the hands-off roasted salmon to impress guests at your next dinner party!

Try this slow-roasted harissa salmon recipe (from Bon Appetit).

Harissa marinated chickpeas

These marinated harissa chickpeas are packed with flavour and perfect for a meal or snack. You only need eight simple ingredients to make these saucy, smoky chickpeas to prepare it in minutes.

Add the harissa chickpeas to your next pasta salad, grain salad, sandwich, buddha bowl and more! Enjoy the plant-based protein and fibre with a zing of harissa heat.

Try this harissa marinated chickpeas recipe (from Minimalist Baker).

Smashed harissa potatoes

These harissa potatoes pack a serious flavour punch. The potatoes are boiled until just fork tender, smashed, then liberally coated in a harissa paste and olive oil mixture and roasted until crispy.

Serve the potatoes while hot with a cool and creamy homemade Greek yoghurt dip to balance the heat. Perfect as a snack or roasted potato side dish!

Try this smashed harissa potatoes recipe (from Barley & sage).

Harissa yoghurt marinated chicken with persimmons

This harissa chicken dish is a flavour-packed one-skillet winter meal packed. Marinate the skinless chicken breasts in a mixture of full-fat Greek yoghurt, honey, olive oil, lemon juice, harissa paste and salt, then sear and roast the chicken in a cast-iron skillet. Shallots, honey and persimmons add sweetness, while the harissa adds a spicy kick.

Serve it with fresh mint and an extra drizzle of honey (or hot honey more heat).

Try this harissa and persimmon chicken recipe (from Barley & sage).

Harissa roasted sweet potato salad

Harissa paste adds a serious flavour boost to any roasted vegetables. This harissa-roasted sweet potato power salad is flavourful and nutrient-packed. It’s great for make-ahead lunches or easy weeknight dinners.

Toss roasted sweet potatoes with harissa, kale, quinoa, avocado, and pumpkin seeds, and drizzle with a creamy parsley tahini dressing.

It’s plant-based and gluten-free. But you can easily customise it with extra protein, feta cheese, or roasted veggies. Perfect to enjoy hot or cold!

Try this harissa-roasted sweet potato power salad recipe (from Dishing Out Health).

Grilled lamb burger with harissa aioli

This grilled lamb burger with harissa aioli has everything you need for a memorable meal. The juicy lamb patties, made with garlic, onion, spices and salt and pepper, sing with Middle Eastern flavour.

And the harissa aioli adds a spicy tang, while the melty cheese, arugula, and pickled onions bring the flavours and textures together on a toasted brioche bun.

Serve it up with a side of fries for a truly indulgent feast.

Try this grilled lamb burger with harissa aioli recipe (from Feasting at Home).