Best Harissa Substitutes for a Savory, Spicy Dish

Trying out a new recipe with harissa listed as one of the ingredients, but you can't find it in your local grocery store? The right harissa substitute will give your dish the spicy kick it needs while ensuring it has a well-balanced flavor.

Whether you're looking to replace harissa paste or harissa powder, my list below will come in handy. From substitutes that are as spicy as harissa to ones that are spicier and less spicy, you can find the right ingredient for your dish.

Jump to:

• Harissa Paste vs. Harissa Powder
• 9 Best Harissa Paste Substitutes
• 8 Best Harissa Powder Substitutes
• Start Using the Best Harissa Substitute!
• Recipe

Harissa Paste vs. Harissa Powder

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.

9 Best Harissa Paste Substitutes

When your recipe calls for harissa paste, here are my highly recommended substitutes since they worked perfectly for many of my recipes:

1. Harissa Powder

While its texture is entirely different from harissa paste, you can use the same amount of harissa powder in your recipe. That is if you're only looking for the same flavor, aroma, and amount of heat.

If your dish requires a paste-y consistency, you can turn your powder into harissa paste by following these steps:

1. Place four parts of harissa powder with one part water and one part olive oil in a bowl.
2. Mix until well blended or until you have a thick paste.
3. 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 just about anything.

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.

However, your dish won't have the same level of earthiness as when you use harissa paste. The good news is there is a solution to this.

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 substitute if you're serving vegans, vegetarians, and individuals with seafood allergies.

3. Sriracha Sauce

This popular and easily accessible sauce has a thinner consistency than harissa paste, but it's also an excellent substitute for harissa paste. It should be your number 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. If adding too much sriracha sauce can affect the balance of flavor, but 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 sauce 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 just about anything.

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, it has an almost similar flavor to harissa because of its ingredients: African bird's eye or peri-peri chili peppers, garlic, salt, oil, and lemon.

One thing I would like you to remember about peri peri sauce is that some products are spicier than others. One brand can be as spicy as harissa paste, while another can be less spicy.

If you get one with the same heat level as harissa, go ahead and replace the ingredient with the same amount of peri peri sauce. 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 just about anything.

5. Nali Sauce

Nali sauce is among the spiciest peri peri hot sauces you'll find today. Its ingredients include Malawian bird’s eye red chili peppers, hot paprika, garlic, onion, and salt.

This substitute for harissa sauce is available in several flavors, but you should look for the mild or hot variety, depending on the amount of heat you need for your dish. Whichever you choose, follow a 1:1 ratio when using nail sauce to replace harissa.

Best for just about anything.

6. Bomba Calabrese

Fancy sounding, right? You might even think this popular Italian hot sauce is expensive. But it isn't!

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 egg, seafood, and vegetable dishes.

7. Thai Red Curry Paste

Thai dishes are most well-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 meat dishes, especially chicken and beef.

8. Chili Oil

With its thin, almost liquid consistency, chili oil is the last thing that comes to mind when you're looking for a substitute for harissa paste. However, it can give some recipes their much-needed heat and spicy punch. After all, it's made from chili peppers and other spices like garlic, Sichuan pepper, and paprika.

When using chili oil 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 oil product.

Best for stir-fries and dips.

9. Gochujang

This popular Korean red chili paste is made from fermented soybean powder, chili powder or 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 chicken and vegetable dishes.

8 Best Harissa Powder Substitutes

Now, when your recipe calls for harissa powder, here are my top recommended substitutes that you can use:

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 soups, stews, marinades, and stir-fries.

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 just about anything.

3. Chili Powder

Use the same amount of chili powder in your recipe that calls for harissa powder, or add a dash or two of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper flakes to increase its heat level. You'll be surprised that your dish won't even feel like it lacks harissa!

What I love most about chili powder is it's easily accessible, and it contains not just ground chilis but also other spices such as garlic. It means that it has an almost similar flavor profile to harissa.

Best for just about anything.

4. Cayenne Pepper Flakes

This ingredient 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.

I also add smoked paprika to give the dish the earthy or savory flavor it needs. Meanwhile, my sweet paprika comes in handy when I need to turn my cayenne pepper flakes into a rose harissa substitute.

Best for just about anything.

5. Korean Red Pepper Flakes

Also known as gochugaru, this dried chili pepper has 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 just about anything.

6. Dried Chili Peppers + Cumin

As a home cook, you're most likely aware of several types of ground or dried chili peppers. Take advantage of their heat by using them as a harissa seasoning substitute. Add a good amount of cumin, and you'll give the chili pepper earthy notes that can remind you and your guests of harissa powder.

Of course, you can't just use any dried or ground chili peppers, so here are the ones I have tried and tested that worked:

• Aleppo Pepper

This famous Middle Eastern spice blend has a moderate heat level with earthy and fruity flavors. When combined with cumin's earthy notes, it becomes one of the best harissa spice substitutes.

Simply follow a 1:1 ratio and then add a few dashes of cumin.

• Chipotle Powder

Give your dish the harissa-like smoky flavor and heat by adding the same amount of chipotle powder. By adding a few dashes of cumin, your dish will have the depth of flavor that harissa powder brings to the table.

• Kashmiri Chili Powder

This Indian chili powder has a mild heat level and smoky, fruity undertones that make it an ideal harissa powder substitute for those looking to tone down the spiciness of their dishes. Adding a few dashes of cumin will further enhance its earthiness.

Best for just about anything.

7. Berbere Spice

Berbere spice has a more complex flavor than harissa because of the number of ingredients included in the blend.

It's made from dried red peppers, cumin, coriander, cardamom, fenugreek, clove, ginger, paprika, black pepper, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. Thus, it has a warmer, earthier flavor with a good amount of heat level.

With this slight difference in the flavor and aroma profiles, I recommend substituting harissa with the same amount of berbere spice. This ensures a proper balance of flavors and maintains the overall quality of your dish.

Best for dry rubs, marinades, sauces, stews, and soups.

8. Smoked Paprika + Cumin

It isn't surprising that sometimes, you will need a non-spicy harissa spice substitute. The combination of smoked paprika and cumin will save your day!

Simply mix one part of cumin with two parts of smoked paprika, add a few dashes of salt to the blend, and you're good to go. To use, add the same amount as what your recipe calls for harissa powder.

Best for just about anything.

Start Using the Best Harissa Substitute!

Like other ingredient substitutes, it isn't easy to find a perfect harissa paste and powder substitute. However, it doesn't mean it's impossible! From the common staples like chili powder and sriracha or hot sauce to those some of you still haven't used, like ras el hanout and bomba calabrese, you have several options.

So, go ahead and choose which ones work best for your current situation in your kitchen!

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