Harissa is a staple of North African cooking. It's a flavor-bomb like no other.
But that doesn't mean you're out of luck if you're out of harissa paste or powder. That's because I'm here to show you how to create the perfect harissa substitute.
Smoked paprika is a cupboard favorite. But what about more exotic spice blends? Will Ras el Hanout stand in? Could cupboard sauces like sriracha or peri-peri sauce save your recipe?
Find out below!
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Harissa Paste vs. Harissa Powder: Understanding the Difference
Harissa is a famous Tunisian ingredient that's now gaining popularity in many parts of the world. It's available in paste (also called harissa sauce) and powder (also known as harissa spice or seasoning) that you can use as a condiment or seasoning.
Thanks to their roasted red, serrano, and baklouti pepper content, they have a distinct smoky, spicy flavor. They also have earthy notes since they contain several spices and herbs, such as coriander, cumin, and caraway seeds.
However, the paste variety also has olive oil or water that gives it its paste-like consistency. Some harissa paste products also contain garlic paste to enhance their earthy flavor.
You'll also find sweeter versions with tomato sauce and/or rose petals or oil.
8 Best Harissa Paste Substitutes
These are my top harissa alternatives for when you're all out of paste.Want to learn more about the art of substituting ingredients? Check out my comprehensive guides!
1. Harissa Powder
While its texture is entirely different from tht harissa paste, you can use the same amount of harissa powder in your recipe if you're looking for the same flavor, aroma, and amount of heat.
If your dish requires a paste-y consistency, you can turn your powder into a homemade harissa paste by following these steps:
- Place four parts of harissa powder with one part water and one part olive oil in a bowl.
- Mix until well blended or until you have a thick paste.
- If the paste is too thick for your liking, add equal amounts of water and olive oil. Make sure you only add a small amount of each.
Best for: Harissa powder is perfect for traditional North African recipes such as shakshuka, marinaded grilled lamb, chicken skewers, or roasted mackerel.
2. Sambal Oelek
What's a better way to substitute harissa paste than with another type of chili paste?
Sambal oelek is an Indonesian chili paste made from the same base ingredients as harissa: chili peppers, garlic, and salt. Thus, a 1:1 ratio will work for many recipes.
To get that earthy flavor, mix an equal amount of ground cumin, caraway, and coriander seeds. Then, add half a teaspoon of this spice blend to your sambal paste. Add more until you achieve the exact flavor you're looking for.
One important thing about sambal oelek is that it contains shrimp paste and/or anchovies. As such, it's an unsuitable harissa replacement if you're serving vegans, vegetarians, and individuals with seafood allergies.
Best for: Sambal oelek shines in fish dishes such as spicy clams, pan-fried shrimp, and sticky Indonesian chicken.
3. Sriracha Sauce
Sriracha sauce has a thinner consistency, but it's an excellent substitute for harissa paste. It should be your number-one choice if you're looking for a replacement that isn't as spicy but will still add the right amount of garlic and spicy punch to your dish.
You can use the same amount as what's listed for harissa paste, but you can add more if you want to add more heat to your dish.
Adding too much sriracha can affect the balance of flavor, but if you still want to add more heat, you can add a dash or two of hot paprika or ground cayenne pepper to the sauce.
Like with sambal, I recommend adding a blend of ground cumin, coriander, and caraway seeds to your sriracha to give it a flavor profile that's as close as harissa. They will also help thicken the sauce.
Start with just a dash or two and add more when needed.
Best for: Sriracha sauce stands in for harissa in garlicky dishes like roasted peppers and mushrooms, grilled chicken, and baked white fish. It's also fantastic with air fryer fried rice.
4. Peri Peri Sauce
Another ideal substitute for harissa sauce or paste is peri peri sauce because both are commonly used in African cuisine. While thinner in consistency, these hot sauces have an almost similar flavor to harissa because of the ingredients: African bird's eye or peri-peri chili peppers, garlic, salt, oil, and lemon.
If you're using a peri peri sauce with the same heat level as harissa, go ahead and replace the ingredient with the same amount of peri peri. If not, you can add more or still follow a 1:1 ratio if you want to tone down the spiciness of your dish.
Best for: Peri peri sauce is a chicken-friendly ingredient: try it with air fryer marinated chicken thighs or baked chicken breast for a low-fat option. It's fantastic with grilled lamb and vegetable dishes like roasted red peppers.
5. Bomba Calabrese
Bomba Calabrese is made from dried Calabrian red chili peppers, salt, garlic, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. It has the same consistency and heat level as harissa, so you can substitute harissa paste with the same amount of this hot sauce.
That said, while it's one of the best harissa sauce substitutes in terms of heat level, the overall flavor doesn't closely match that of harissa's. That's because the ingredients responsible for its earthy and savory flavors are vegetables and mushrooms instead of herbs and spices.
Best for: Bomba Calabrese complements egg, seafood, and vegetable dishes. It's great for starters like classic bruschetta or crostini. It also creates a lovely (though very different) shakshuka.
6. Thai Red Curry Paste
Thai dishes are best known for their spiciness, so it isn't surprising that Thai red curry paste can work as a harissa paste substitute. Not only does it contain red chili peppers, but also garlic paste or powder.
Simply measure the same amount of Thai red curry paste as what's required in your recipe for harissa paste.
One thing to note is that the curry paste's heat level doesn't compare to harissa. However, you can always add a few dashes of chili powder if you want to.
Best for: Thai red curry paste works best in meat dishes, especially chicken and beef. Try using it to liven up a quick beef stir fry or succulent air fryer chicken breast.
7. Chili Oil
Chili paste is a cupboard savior when you're looking for a substitute for harissa paste.
It can give some recipes their much-needed heat and spicy punch. After all, it's made from chili peppers and oil and sometimes includes garlic.
When using chili paste as a harissa sauce substitute, you won't need to make any adjustments in the measurement. That is unless you're using a less spicy chili paste product.
Best for: Chili paste adds a kick to meat and vegetable stir-fries and also complements deep flavors like grilled lamb or air fryer chicken kabobs very well.
RELATED: From Mild to Fiery: Exploring Best Chili Paste Substitutes for Every Palate
8. Gochujang
The popular Korean red chili paste gochujang is made from fermented soybean powder, chili powder, red chili pepper flakes, salt, miso paste, and other spices and herbs.
It is spicy and savory, but it has a slight sweetness to it. Hence, it is your best option when you need a rose harissa substitute.
To use this Korean chili paste, add the same amount to your recipe as harissa paste.
Best for: Gochujang adds a powerful kick to fatty, meaty recipes. Use it in marinades for beef short ribs or thinly sliced pork belly. It also enlivens simple pasta dishes like aglio e olio.
Related: 9 Best Gochujang Substitutes for Your Korean Dish
Best Harissa Powder Substitutes
Now, when your recipe calls for harissa powder, here are my top recommended substitutes:
1. Harissa Paste
Of course, the best substitute for harissa powder is the paste variety because they have the same taste and aroma. You should use the same amount of the paste as the amount of powder required in your recipe.
However, it isn't suitable for all recipes because of its texture.
Best for: Harissa paste creates beautiful marinades for grilled lamb shoulder, roast beef, or garlic chicken. It's essential in shakshuka and other North African egg dishes.
2. Ras el Hanout
A less spicy condiment and spice blend popular in Tunisia, Ras el Hanout is an ideal substitute for harissa powder.
Thanks to its cinnamon, cardamon, cumin, and coriander content, it provides your dish with warm, earthy tones. Some brands also have a small amount of ground chilis and black peppers that add heat to the blend.
If you plan to serve a less spicy dish, go ahead and follow a 1:1 ratio when replacing harissa with Ras el Hanout. Otherwise, you can grind cayenne or red pepper flakes using your mortar and pestle or spice grinder and add a few pinches to your dish.
Best for: Ras el Hanout makes an elegant spice rub for grilled or roast lamb. It's great with vegetable dishes like roasted stuffed peppers, grilled mushrooms, or zucchini risotto.
3. Chili Powder and Smoked Paprika
Mix chili powder with smoked paprika in a 1:3 ratio. Use the same amount of this spice blend in your recipe that calls for harissa powder, or add a dash or two of ground chili peppers or cayenne pepper to increase its heat level.
You'll be surprised that your dish won't even feel like it lacks harissa!
Best for: Chili powder and smoked paprika are versatile spices that shine in everything from slow-cooked meat ragouts to ratatouille to marinated roast beef. They also enliven omelets and spice up burgers.
Related: What is the Best Smoked Paprika Substitute? Here are 12 Great Options!
4. Cayenne Pepper Flakes
Cayenne is spicier than harissa powder, but using half the amount of these flakes in your recipe than the amount of harissa required will work just fine. But if you don't mind the spiciness, go ahead and follow a 1:1 ratio. Cayenne also has some fantastic health benefits, according to the team at Healthline.
I also add smoked paprika to give the dish the earthy or savory flavor it needs.
Best for: Cayenne can be added to anything! I put a gentle shake in shakshuka, omelet, bolognese sauce, meat ragout, stir fry... a little shake goes a long way.
5. Korean Red Pepper Flakes
Also known as gochugaru, these dried chili peppers have mild to moderate spiciness with hints of sweetness and smokiness. Depending on how spicy you want your dish to be, you can use the same amount of these flakes as harissa or twice the amount needed.
Best for: Gochugaru isn't as spicy as other chilis, so can be added generously to stir-fries, roasted vegetables, and simple pasta dishes for an attractive appearance and sweet, subtle heat.
Tips for Substituting Harissa
Mix Dry Spices with Tomato Paste
Tomato paste will give you the distinctive consistency you want but not much flavor. Spices like paprika, cayenne, chili, and cumin will compensate for this.
Be sure to cook the tomato paste and spices off before adding liquid to your recipe to remove the bitterness.
Garlic Is Your Friend
Garlic is big in North African cuisine, and it's one of the foremost ingredients of harissa paste. Any time you're using harissa paste substitutes, add at least a clove of crushed garlic to the recipe.
Plus, as explained by the team at Medical News Today, garlic is really good for you!
Use a Touch of Acid
A dash of lemon juice, lime juice, or neutral vinegar will offset the sweetness of the spices and get closer to the flavor of harissa.
Harissa Substitute: Frequently Asked Questions
A combination of smoked paprika and cayenne makes a great harissa powder substitute. Add some coriander for earthiness, and mix with a dash of water if you need a paste-like consistency.
Yes! Paprika mixed with water and a bit of chili powder is an excellent harissa paste alternative. Consider adding some cumin, ground coriander, and a dash of lime juice to replicate the earthy, zingy flavor.
Tomato paste isn't spicy like harissa, but it makes a good substitute for the consistency. Liven it up with some paprika, cayenne, and crushed garlic to get closer to the taste.
No. Chili paste is made from red chilis and oil, whereas harissa paste also includes garlic, acid (often lemon or vinegar), oil, and such spices as paprika and coriander.
What to Substitute for Harissa? Har-is-a Simple Solution!
The most important thing to remember about spice blends is that they're just combinations of ingredients you probably already have.
And there's never anything wrong with swapping in a flavorful alternative for harissa like Bomba Calabrese or sriracha. Is it identical? No. Will it still be delicious? Yes!
Cook with confidence and make use of these harissa substitutes in your next recipe!
Recipe
Homemade Harissa Seasoning Substitute
Equipment
- One bowl
- Small airtight container
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (or more if you want a spicier blend)
- 6 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoon ground coriander
- 2 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place the spices in your mixing bowl.
- Mix well using your spoon.
- Transfer your homemade spice to a small container and seal it tightly.
Notes
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