Harissa: 15 Vegetarian Recipes Showcasing This Fiery North African Sauce

Have you heard of harissa yet? People are saying that it is gearing up to be the next Sriracha, but what is it? A staple in North African cuisine, harissa is a spicy, bright red paste made from roasted red peppers, chilis, cumin, coriander, garlic, and olive oil. If you’re looking for harissa, check the aisle for international cuisine in your grocery store — you can typically find it packaged in a tube, but it also comes in a can or a jar. Like all other spice blends and pastes, you can make your own Harissa at home and experiment with levels of spiciness by adding more or fewer hot peppers. You can also try adding different herbs and spices – mint, saffron, and caraway are all popular additions. Just like Sriracha has become a catch-all condiment, harissa is considered a staple in Tunisia and other North African countries, where it is used in soups, stews, and to flavor couscous.

It’s easy to incorporate harissa into everyday recipes; this Moroccan Chili is fragrant and spicy while this Moroccan Potato Salad With Corn and Kale uses harissa paste to make a warm, spicy dressing. Once you’ve found (or made) harissa, it’s time to put it to use — try it in these 15 recipes!

1. Harissa and Tamarind-Infused Spiced Chickpeas

These Spiced Chickpeas With Harissa and Tamarind are a heady melody of savory and subtle tartness. The tangy, sweetly sour tamarind, nutty chickpeas and spicy harissa meld well together and it’s even better after a day or two. Make a big batch so you’ll have plenty of leftovers for the rest of the week. It’s wonderful for quick weeknight meals, especially perfect over quinoa and peas, or rice or with some pita bread.

2. Harissa Lentil Quinoa Meatballs 

This recipe for Harissa Lentil Quinoa Meatballs is a keeper! Hearty, spicy, smoky veggie meatballs with a ton of high-quality plant protein. Each bite of these has a rich variety of flavor, from spicy harissa to nutty tahini. Use these to make a hearty sub, to top a bowl of spaghetti, or add some depth to a salad.

3. Crispy Cornmeal Crusted Eggplant With Smoky Harissa

Eggplants, tomatoes, and a smoky red sauce — these Crispy Cornmeal Crusted Eggplant With Smoky Harissa are like nachos without the chips, if you will. The crispy eggplant tastes deep-fried, yet they’re baked. They are incredibly soft on the inside with little salty crunches of cornmeal on the outside. The flavors of this harissa tomato sauce works wonders with this yummy snack.

4. Roasted Spiced Cauliflower and Harissa Chickpea Salad

This one-bowl Roasted Spiced Cauliflower and Harissa Chickpea Salad is just the thing you need when you’re craving something hearty and healthy. The great thing about this recipe is that it takes so little time to make — so go ahead, make a big batch, and enjoy!

5. Roasted Red Pepper Almond and Harissa Dip 

Need a last minute appetizer to serve to company? This Roasted Red Pepper Almond and Harissa Dip infused with Egyptian flavors is quick and simple to make, but it’s bursting with flavor. Red bell peppers and almonds are puréed with caraway seeds, cumin, coriander, and chili flakes to make it spicy. Serve it with crackers and crisp veggies.

6. Mini Brown Rice Lentil Burgers With Harissa 

If you’re craving a hearty and well-seasoned vegan burger, this recipe for Mini Brown Rice Lentil Burgers With Harissa is the one for you! Made with brown rice and lentils, this is a protein-rich patty that you can rest assured will not fall apart. Topped with spicy Harissa sauce, this burger has some serious Moroccan flair.

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7. Smoky Harissa Vegetable Tart

This crispy Smoky Harissa Vegetable Tart is the perfect way to use up your fresh produce in a quick and easy dinner. It’s topped with tomato, zucchini, asparagus, bell pepper, and crunchy pine nuts with the addition of harissa, a North African paste. Harissa brings a smoky, woody depth of flavor along with a subtle hint of heat.

8. Harissa Flatbread With Olives and Jalapeño