Harissa paste is a spicy condiment commonly used in North African and Middle Eastern cooking. It is made from a blend of hot chili peppers, garlic, olive oil, and spices like cumin, coriander, caraway and mint. Harissa adds a distinctive heat and rich flavor to dishes like stews, soups, grilled meats, sandwiches and more. But if you don’t have harissa paste on hand, there are several suitable substitutes you can use instead.
Quick Answer for What to Substitute for Harissa Paste
Here are some quick answers for good alternatives to harissa paste:
- Homemade Harissa Paste – Blend chili peppers, garlic, olive oil, cumin, coriander, caraway, mint.
- Hot Sauce – Sriracha, Tabasco, Cholula, or other hot sauces can mimic heat.
- Chili Powder + Oil – Mix chili powder with olive oil and spices like cumin and garlic.
- Curry Paste – Red or green curry pastes have similar flavors to harissa.
- Dried Chile Peppers – Soak and blend dried peppers with oil and spices.
- Pepper Paste – Try sambal oelek or another chili-based paste.
- Spicy Tomato Sauce – Stir cayenne and spices into tomato sauce or pasta sauce.
The best substitute will depend on the specific dish, your desired spiciness, and what ingredients you have on hand. For authentic flavor, a homemade harissa paste with chili peppers, garlic, oil and spices is ideal. But in a pinch, experiment with hot sauces, chili powders, curry pastes and other spicy seasonings to mimic the heat and depth of harissa paste.
What is Harissa Paste?
Harissa paste is a hot chili pepper condiment used in North African cuisines, particularly Tunisian, Algerian and Moroccan cooking. It has a fiery kick from hot peppers blended with garlic, spices and olive oil.
Some of the key ingredients in harissa paste include:
- Hot chili peppers – dried chilies, chili powder, cayenne pepper, pepper flakes
- Garlic
- Olive oil or vegetable oil
- Spices – cumin, coriander, caraway, mint
- Salt
Additional flavorings like roasted red peppers, tomato paste or lemon juice are also sometimes added. The consistency can range from a thick puree to a coarse paste depending on preparation method.
Harissa paste is popular for its heat and savory depth. It can be used as a condiment or cooking ingredient to add spice and flavor. Common uses include:
- Rub for meats before grilling, broiling or roasting
- Flavoring stews, tagines, soups
- Spice blend for couscous or rice
- Sandwich spread
- Dip for breads
- Marinade for chicken, fish, veggies
- Pizza sauce
Both store-bought and homemade versions have their merits. Commercial harissa pastes offer convenience while homemade can be tailored to preferred spiciness and flavors. But if you don’t have access to either, several substitutes using common pantry ingredients can mimic harissa.
Chili Pepper Based Substitutes
Since the defining flavor and heat of harissa comes from chili peppers, substitutes using various dried, ground and cooked pepper products are a great option. Here are some easy chili pepper-based harissa substitutes:
Homemade Harissa Paste
Making your own homemade harissa paste is the closest you can get to the real thing. While it requires a bit more effort, you can control the exact spice level and flavor profile. It also will taste fresher than store-bought versions.
Here is a simple homemade harissa paste recipe:
- 3-5 dried chilies, like guajillo, arbol or chile de arbol
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup olive oil
- 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- Soak the dried chilies in hot water until softened, about 20 minutes.
- Toast the cumin, coriander and caraway seeds in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Allow to cool.
- In a food processor, blend together the rehydrated peppers, toasted spices, garlic, lemon juice and salt. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while blending until a smooth paste forms.
- Add more oil for a smoother consistency or water for a coarser texture. Season to taste with extra salt or lemon as desired.
- Store homemade harissa paste in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Hot Sauce
Mixing a spoonful of hot sauce into a dish replicates the spicy element of harissa. Go for hot sauces like sriracha, Tabasco, Cholula or buffalo sauce. The vinegary tang makes it not an exact flavor match, but the heat level can mimic harissa.
Chili Powder
For a quick powdered harissa substitute, use a blend of chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder and salt. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of chili powder with 1 teaspoon each of ground cumin and garlic powder and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle the spice mix on meats or stir into sauces in place of harissa paste.
For a wet paste, combine the dried spice mix with about 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 minced garlic clove. Let sit for 30 minutes for flavors to blend.
Dried Chile Peppers
Using dried chile peppers like ancho, chipotle, Aleppo, guajillo or chiles de arbol, you can make a quick harissa paste. Remove seeds for less heat. Soak the dried peppers in hot water until softened. Then blend in a food processor with olive oil, garlic, cumin, coriander and salt until smooth.
Pepper Paste
Look for pepper pastes like sambal oelek which contain pure ground chilies without additional flavorings. The consistency is closer to harissa than hot sauces. Add a spoonful of sambal oelek to soups, stews, dressings, dipping sauces or anywhere you want an extra chili kick.
Spice and Seasoning Substitutes
Beyond just chili peppers, harissa paste gets its signature flavor from spices like cumin, coriander and caraway. Using spice blends and oil-based seasoning pastes can approximate the flavor profile. Options include:
Curry Paste
Both red and green curry pastes pack a chili pepper punch along with spices like cumin, coriander and garlic. Swap about a tablespoon of red or green curry paste in place of harissa to marinades, sauces, stir-fries and more.
Ras el Hanout
Ras el hanout is a North African spice blend containing up to 20 spices including chili, cumin, coriander, ginger and turmeric. Use 1-2 teaspoons of the spice mix in dry rubs, marinades and stews to mimic harissa’s flavor without the heat.
Tunisian Carthage Spice
Also called kamoun, this Tunisian spice mix contains coriander, caraway, garlic and chili. It can season meat and vegetable dishes in place of harissa’s spice blend.
Moroccan Spice
Look for a Moroccan spice blend made with warm spices like cumin, paprika, cinnamon and cayenne. It adds layered flavor and moderate heat similar to harissa.
Za’atar Spice
Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice mix of thyme, oregano, sesame seeds, sumac and other herbs. Mix with olive oil and crushed red pepper to form a paste-like consistency to use like harissa.
Spicy Tomato Sauce Substitutes
The acidity and richness of tomato-based sauces or pastes lends well as a harissa stand-in. Turn up the heat by adding hot spices.
Spicy Marinara Sauce
For an easy swap, stir 1⁄4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes and 1⁄2 teaspoon of cumin into 1 cup of marinara sauce. Use it the same way you would harissa paste.
Spicy Tomato Paste
Mix 2 tablespoons tomato paste with 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 minced garlic clove and a pinch of paprika. Thin with olive oil to reach a smoother harissa-like consistency.
Chili Garlic Sauce
Look for sambal oelek chili garlic sauce which combines ground chilies and garlic. It mimics the texture and provides a vinegar tartness similar to harissa.
Harissa Paste Substitute Summary Table
| Substitute | Prep Notes |
|---|---|
| Homemade Harissa Paste | Blend chile peppers, garlic, olive oil, cumin, coriander |
| Hot Sauce | Stir in sriracha, Tabasco, or other hot sauce |
| Chili Powder | Mix with oil, garlic powder, cumin, salt |
| Dried Chile Peppers | Rehydrate and blend peppers into paste |
| Pepper Paste | Use sambal oelek or similar chili paste |
| Curry Paste | Substitute red or green curry paste |
| Spice Blends | Ras el hanout, za’atar, Tunisian carthage |
| Spicy Tomato Sauce | Stir cayenne and spices into marinara or tomato paste |
Tips for Using Harissa Substitutes
When substituting for harissa paste, keep these tips in mind:
- Start with a small amount of any substitute and adjust to taste. Harissa varietals have differing heat levels.
- Adding olive oil or water helps create a paste-like consistency closer to harissa.
- Increase garlic, cumin and coriander to mimic harissa’s flavor profile.
- If using dry spice mixes, allow time for flavors to bloom in oil or liquid.
- Adjust salt and acidity with added lemon juice or vinegar to brighten up substitutes.
- Mix and match substitutes like chili paste + curry powder + garlic for more complexity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does harissa need to be refrigerated?
Yes, it is best to refrigerate both commercially prepared and homemade harissa paste. The Chile peppers, garlic and olive oil are perishable so harissa can spoil at room temperature. Keep harissa paste in an airtight container in the refrigerator where it will keep for up to 1 month.
What is the spiciest harissa brand?
The degree of heat can vary widely by harissa brand and product. Some of the spiciest bottled harissa pastes include:
- Mina Harissa Extra Hot
- Roland Extra Hot Harissa
- Lucini Fiery Hot Harissa
- Parthenon Extra Hot Tunisian Harissa
Check for words like “extra spicy” or “extra hot” on the label for the most pungency. Start with a small amount until you determine the level of heat.
What goes well with harissa?
Harissa pairs well in dishes featuring North African flavors and Mediterranean cuisine like:
- Moroccan tagines and stews
- Tunisian brothy chickpeas
- Algerian couscous
- Spicy meatballs
- Roasted vegetables
- Hummus
- Falafel
- Grilled fish or shrimp
- Eggs
Harissa’s savory heat also works well in sandwiches, pasta sauces, pizza, dips and dressings.
Is harissa keto friendly?
Yes, most harissa pastes can fit into a keto, low carb diet. Harissa is typically made with just Chile peppers, garlic, oil and spices. There are some brands with added sugar or thickeners, so check labels. But in general harissa is a flavorful low carb way to spice up keto meals.
Conclusion
Harissa paste may be considered a specialty ingredient, but with a variety of substitutes, you can mimic the quintessential chili heat, garlic and spices in recipes calling for harissa. While homemade harissa is ideal for an authentic flavor, hot sauces, chili seasonings, curry pastes and spice blends can provide a similar spicy impact. Keep a few of these handy harissa substitutes on your shelf so you’re prepared when a recipe calls for this bold North African condiment.