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A glass bowl filled with red harissa sauce sits on a ceramic plate next to a spoon, with white flowers and green leaves as decoration.
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5 from 1 vote

Harissa Sauce

Smoky, spicy, and oh-so-flavorful. This harissa uses guajillo and arbol chiles to give you the heat, while roasted red peppers and a mix of spices make it stupidly-yummy.
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time2 minutes
Soaking Time20 minutes
Total Time24 minutes
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 1 Cup
Calories: 360kcal
Author: Adam Sobel
Cost: $4

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Remove the stems and seeds from the guajillo and arbol chiles. Place them in a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Let soak for 20 minutes, until softened.
  • Drain the chiles, discarding the water, and set aside.
  • In a small skillet, toast the cumin seeds, coriander, Kashmiri red chili powder, Aleppo pepper, ground cloves  over low heat for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Remove from heat.
  • In a blender or food processor, combine the soaked chiles, toasted spices, roasted red peppers, garlic, tomato paste, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Blend for 1–2 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed, until smooth and thick. If needed, add 1–2 teaspoons of additional olive oil to achieve a spreadable consistency.
  • Transfer to a clean jar or container. Store refrigerated and use within 1 week.

Notes

🥄 Toast, Don’t Coast:
Toasting cumin, coriander, and other spices isn’t optional—it’s essential. It brings out their oils and amps up the flavor. Keep it low and slow, and stir constantly to avoid any burnt bitterness.
💦 Soak It Up, Buttercup:
Let those chiles soak for at least 20 minutes. This softens them up for a smoother blend, creating that silky texture you’re after. If they’re not softened, your sauce won’t be the right consistency.
 Blender Beast Mode:
Don’t bother with your old blender from the attic—go for the power of a Blendtec or Vitamix. We’re looking for smooth, not "what in the texture hell happened?"

Nutrition

Calories: 360kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Sodium: 3966mg | Potassium: 1209mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 10287IU | Vitamin C: 94mg | Calcium: 145mg | Iron: 6mg