18 Must-Try Recipes Featuring Spicy Harissa Sauce
A beloved ingredient in North African and Middle Eastern cuisines, harissa is a fiery pepper sauce that adds a kick to nearly any dish! Made with wholesome ingredients like olive oil, chilies, and garlic, it's both flavorful and nutritious. While you can easily purchase it pre-made, creating homemade harissa is just as simple. Use it to spice up roasted vegetables, baked fish, savory stews, grilled chicken, scrambled eggs, crispy fries, and much more. Here are a few of our top recipes showcasing the versatility of harissa!
Harissa-Infused Halloumi Panini
"Take your grilled cheese to the next level with Halloumi, then bring the heat with a touch of North African harissa," suggests Betty Soup. "For an extra crispy edge, try grilling these on a medium heat indoor grill pan."
Harissa Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
"Add a little zing to your chicken dinner with harissa," recommends Juliana Hale. "This North African red pepper sauce brings both richness and spice to this easy, one-pan meal, perfect for busy weeknights."
Spicy Lamb Merguez Sausage Patties
"Prepare a double batch, and you'll not only enjoy these delicious patties as burgers but also have the opportunity to incorporate them into various dishes," suggests Chef John. "They're perfect in beans, frittatas, pastas, soups, or crumbled over pizza or flatbread for extra flavor."
Lemon Yogurt Grilled Chicken
"There's something magical about how yogurt enhances chicken during its smoky, charred grilling time," explains Chef John. "It brings a zesty tang that elevates all the other flavors. It tenderizes the meat just enough, without turning it into mush, and gives it a beautiful caramelized brown without any burnt taste." Don't forget to serve with the yogurt harissa sauce on the side!
Harissa-Glazed Salmon
"The bold combination of fiery harissa and smoky paprika in a creamy mayo base perfectly complements the robust flavor of wild salmon," says Cazuela.
Moroccan Harira Soup (Vegetarian)
"Harira is a beloved Moroccan soup, and here’s a rich vegetarian (and vegan-friendly!) version—loaded with tomatoes, chickpeas, and seasoned with paprika, turmeric, saffron, ginger, and harissa," says chouchou65.
Saffron-Infused Couscous
A perfect light side dish or a delicious lunchbox salad. The hint of saffron adds just the right touch of flavor!" says toastyfrenchy.
Tarragon-Spiced Yogurt Chicken
Harissa pairs wonderfully with tarragon, which is "one of the most fragrant and sweetest herbs you can find," says Chef John.
Grilled Chicken Thighs with Harissa
"The harissa-honey glaze really elevates these tender grilled chicken thighs," says France C. "Since most harissa blends already contain salt, you won’t need to add any extra, but feel free to adjust the seasoning to suit your taste. Top with freshly chopped parsley for garnish."
Harissa Garlic Aioli
This simple sauce blends traditional Mediterranean aioli with the fiery kick of harissa. "This recipe hails from Northern Italy, where they use cooked egg and lemon-soaked yolks," says Buckwheat Queen. "It’s perfect on almost anything—especially a frittata or oven-baked potatoes. It will keep for up to 4 or 5 days in the fridge."
Harissa-Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
"You don’t need a long list of ingredients to create wings that wow," says Buckwheat Queen. "Just a handful of bold ingredients will do! The zesty lemon-pepper combined with the deep, smoky heat of harissa will take your regular wings to the next level."
Moroccan-Style Lamb Shanks with Apricots
"This is a beautiful, easy, and quick take on lamb tagine I prepared for Valentine's Day," says moonpig. "To make it feel authentic, we ate it with our hands—and it was a total crowd-pleaser!"
Harissa-Infused Hummus
"Need a quick dish for unexpected guests or a potluck? Using pre-cooked chickpeas makes whipping up hummus a breeze," says Buckwheat Queen. "Stir in some harissa powder, and you won’t need any additional spices, plus it adds a wonderful spicy kick. Serve it with flatbread or fresh veggies for a crowd-pleasing appetizer. It’s best if the hummus sits for a while to let the flavors develop, but it can be enjoyed right away. Store leftovers in the fridge."
Spicy Harissa Deviled Eggs
"Harissa paste gives deviled eggs a bold, spicy twist," says thedailygourmet. "Get creative and turn them into festive shapes like pumpkins, eyeballs, or spooky faces for Halloween!"
Coconut Quinoa with Harissa-Roasted Sweet Potatoes
"Coconut milk and sweet potatoes balance out the heat from the harissa in this tasty dish," says Cally. "If you’re using low-sodium chicken broth, be sure to add a pinch of salt to the quinoa while it cooks."
Harissa Butter Roasted Potatoes
"Harissa is a North African chili paste that really brings the heat. In this recipe, I blend it with butter and toss it with roasted potatoes for an easy and flavorful side dish," says LauraF.
Halloumi Three-Bean Salad with Pomegranate-Harissa Dressing
"Pan-fried halloumi, three types of beans, red onion, fresh coriander, and mint are mixed with a homemade vinaigrette featuring harissa for a unique, flavor-packed salad your taste buds will adore," says Buckwheat Queen.
Moroccan Shrimp Stew
"Harissa brings a perfect smoky heat that will make your taste buds sing," says CookingWithShelia. "This Moroccan-inspired stew has a rich tomato sauce base, packed with garlic, onion, and vibrant red and green bell peppers. Garnish with fresh thyme if desired, and serve with jasmine rice and naan for the perfect meal."
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