Do you know the Tunisian delicacy harissa? This hot chili pepper paste is a super handy ingredient in a pantry. It easily upgrades your cooking to the next level. After reading this, you will know how to use harissa, in addition, I share the best substitutes. Are you ready to surprise your friends and family with spicy food? Let’s get started.
What is harissa?
Harissa is a Tunisian hot chili pepper paste made of dried chili peppers, olive oil, garlic, salt, caraway, and coriander. Usually, this hot chili paste is sold in cans, tubes, or jars. It is often made of previously mentioned ingredients, but taste and ingredients vary between the brands.
Then there is homemade harissa, and everyone has their own way of cooking it. It’s made of the same ingredients as a canned one. After all, the homemade one has a more pungent taste, and it’s mainly used in cooking. However, if you don’t want to cook it, you can purchase this also from the grocery store. You recognize it from the text Harissa Arbi.
What does the harissa taste like?
Harissa has a hot spicy flavor. The number one difference between harissa and other chili pastes such as Sriracha, Sambal Oelek, and Tabasco is that harissa does not include any sugar or acid. So, for this reason, the it has a pungent and hot spicy taste.
The best substitute for harissa
I highly recommend trying harissa and purchasing one package of it. Below, I will tell you how to use harissa. No time and you have an empty jar at home.
But sometimes a recipe calls for this Tunisian spicy chili paste , and there is none at home to cook with. That’s why I have listed the best substitutes for harissa if you are looking for some alternatives.
#1 Chili, garlic, coriander, and caraway
The best way to substitute harissa is to use ingredients that the original harissa contains. In this case, chili (dried or fresh ones), garlic, and spices such as coriander and caraway. Feel free to add the ingredients as they are, or use a mortar and pestle to make a paste. The easiest way is to chop some fresh chili and garlic if you do not have the spices.
#2 Chili powder or chili flakes
Harissa is used in cooking to add heat and spiciness to the dish. Use spicy chili powder or flakes as a substitute. This will add heat to the food, but of course, the taste is not going to be similar.
#3 Homemade chili oil
Maybe you have a bottle of homemade chili oil at home? Even better if it is made of neutral flavor oil, garlic, chili flakes, spices, and aromatics such as caraway and coriander. Might be that your chili oil won’t be enough spicy, but the flavor profile will be similar.
#4 Hot sauce
Hot sauces have in common that they increase the heat in the food. The challenge is to find a hot sauce with a similar flavor and consistency. You can substitute harissa with Sriracha, Sambal Oelek, Tabasco, Gochujang, Piri-Piri, and Tapatio, but the tastes are somewhat different compared to harissa.
How to use harissa - The 9 best ways
The greatest thing about harissa is that it is a very versatile hot pepper paste. It works perfectly in soups, stews, spreads, marinades, pasta, and salads. Now I will share the best ways how to use harissa.
#1 Straight/ dip - how to use harissa
Scoop a spoonful of harissa and mayo on the small serving plate, and drizzle with olive oil. If feeling adventurous, add a couple of capers. Scoop with fresh bread. So simple, but very delicious!
Make a spicy harissa mayo for hotdogs, burgers, sandwiches, and dip for french fries. Simply mix together mayo and harissa, and spicy dip is ready. Try to upgrade the mayo with fresh garlic, lemon juice, and chopped parsley.
2# Soups
Does the soup lack heat? Harissa is a perfect ingredient, especially in tomato-based and lentil soups. Who does not love warming soups on cold winter days?
3# Stews - how to use harissa:
In Tunisia, harissa is used in many stews and sauces. If you want to add an extra kick and deepness to your meat stew, try to add one or two spoons of harissa. Yummy Yummy!
4# Tunisian food
Harissa is one of the key ingredients in the Tunisian kitchen. For this reason, most Tunisian recipes include at least a spoonful of it. I advise buying a can of harissa immediately if you are interested in cooking traditional Tunisian dishes.
5# Marinades - how to use harissa
Try to marinate your beef, lamb, chicken, or fish with harissa marinade. Mix together a couple of the following ingredients to make the mouthwatering marinade: harissa, garlic, olive oil, parsley, cumin, mint, lemon, coriander, or turmeric.
6# Spread
Spread a small spoonful of harissa in sandwiches, hamburgers, mlawis, and salty crepes.
7# Salad dressing - how to use harissa
You might be surprised, but harissa works perfectly in salad dressings. Simply mix together harissa, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and a tiny amount of tabil.
8# Omelet/ scrambled eggs
I never looked back after I tried to add harissa to an omelet and scrambled eggs. Upgrade your scrambled eggs or an omelet by adding a teaspoon of harissa into the egg mixture. Try it out and let me know what you think.
9# Pasta - how to use harissa
Next time skip Sriracha, Tabasco, and chili powder. Spicy up your pasta dish with harissa. It works perfectly in chicken, meat, fish, and vegetarian pasta dishes.
Share your favorite harissa brand in the comments. My favorite must be Le Phare Du Cap Bon. Have you tried it? Next week I stay on a similar topic, and I will give a recipe that includes harissa. See you again next week!
