Homemade Harissa Recipe: Harissa paste is a versatile North African condiment made with dried chilies, garlic, olive oil, and spices. It can be used as an accompaniment to grilled meats and fish or simply added to soups and stews for an extra kick. This recipe is super simple to make, only taking 5 minutes at the most!
Course Condiment
Cuisine African
Keyword harissa, hot sauce, sauce
Prep Time 5 minutesminutes
soaking time 30 minutesminutes
Total Time 35 minutesminutes
Servings 1serving
Calories 357.1kcal
Ingredients
10dried New Mexico Chiles
8ozroasted red peppers jarred, drained rinsed
3dried chiles de arbol
1tablespooncumin seeds
2teaspooncoriander seeds
1teaspooncaraway seeds
4clovesgarlic
1 ½teaspoonsmoked paprika
1teaspoonsea saltto taste
2tablespoonlemon juice
1tablespoonapple cider vinegaroptional
2tablespoontomato paste
2tablespoonolive oil
Cayenne pepperto taste
Instructions
To prepare the dried chiles, soak them in hot water for about 30 minutes in a heat-resistant glass container until they are soft and re-hydrated. Then, drain the chiles and remove the stems and seeds.
Place the chiles in the food processor bowl fitted with a blade. Add all the other ingredients except the olive oil – the tomato paste, roasted red peppers, garlic, ground caraway seeds, coriander, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, lemon juice, and salt to taste.
Blend for a minute or two, then pour the olive oil while still blending. Stop the processor occasionally to scrape down the sides and continue blending until you reach the desired paste-like texture. Add more water or oil if you want it to have a saucier texture.
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Store in jar and pour oil over the paste to keep it fresh. The harissa paste will deepen in flavor during the next day or two as it sits in the fridge.