Harissa Spice Mix

To make harissa paste: mix equal parts harissa spice, olive oil, and hot water. Use the prepared paste as a condiment on vegetables and kebabs, or thin it further to use as a marinade for lamb or other meats before grilling.

As a dry seasoning: stir it straight into stews or couscous for warmth and depth, no paste required. The caraway in the blend is what gives it that faint licorice note underneath the heat, so a little goes further than you'd expect from chili powder alone.

I like it hot, but Janet doesn’t, and we’re probably not alone. At home, I mix equal parts harissa, oil, and water to make a quick sauce on the side. Whether it’s for Moroccan chicken tagine or souvlaki skewers nodding to my mom’s Greek roots, I get my kick of heat on the side while the rest stays just right for her.

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This is a dry version of harissa, the North African chili paste that's a staple condiment across the region, especially in Tunisia, where it appears on the table nearly as often as salt and pepper does elsewhere. Traditionally it's used on grilled meats and kebabs, or served as a side condiment the way mustard is, just considerably spicier.

Our version is built from Kashmiri chili powder, cumin, coriander, two kinds of paprika, garlic, and caraway, giving it real depth beyond straightforward heat. Keeping it as a dry mix rather than a pre-made paste means it stores far longer and lets you control exactly how much oil and water goes into it each time you use it.

Harissa Spice Mix Q&A

What is harissa powder?

It's a dry spice blend built to recreate harissa, the North African chili paste popular in Tunisia and across the region. Rather than buying a jarred paste, this lets you mix your own fresh, and it also works as a dry seasoning on its own without ever becoming a paste at all.

How much harissa spice mix makes harissa paste?

Mix equal parts harissa spice mix, olive oil, and hot water, for example, 2 tablespoons of each. Adjust the ratio to your preferred consistency; more oil and water makes a thinner, more spreadable paste.

How to use harissa spice powder?

Turn it into a paste for a condiment on kebabs and vegetables, use it dry as a rub on lamb or other meats before grilling, or stir it straight into stews and couscous for depth. It also forms the base of zhug when combined with ground cloves and cardamom.

Is harissa spicy?

Yes, medium-high heat, from Kashmiri chili powder. It's spicier than most standard chili powders but not at the level of a pure cayenne or ghost pepper blend.

Can I use harissa powder without turning it into a paste?

Yes. It works as a dry rub or a stir-in seasoning for stews, couscous, or roasted vegetables without ever needing oil or water added.

How long does homemade harissa paste last?

Once mixed with oil and water, store it in the refrigerator and use it within about a week for the best flavor, since it doesn't have the preservatives a store-bought jarred version would.