Substitutions

What can I use instead of harissa?

Q: Can I use sambal oelek + cumin, caraway and olive oil instead of harissa?

1 tbsp harissa = 2 tsp sambal oelek + 1/4 tsp ground cumin + 1/8 tsp ground caraway + 1/2 tsp olive oil + 1/4 tsp grated garlic. Sambal supplies the chilli and salt with no competing flavours, and the spices and oil rebuild the specifically North African profile on top of it. Brighter and hotter than a good harissa, which gets its depth from dried rather than fresh chillies.

Q: Can I use chilli powder + tomato paste + olive oil instead of harissa?

1 tbsp harissa = 1 tsp chilli powder + 2 tsp tomato paste + 1 tsp olive oil + 1/4 tsp ground cumin + 1/4 tsp grated garlic. Tomato paste gives the thick, slightly sweet body that harissa has, while the chilli, cumin and garlic cover the flavour. More tomato-forward and less fiery. It works stirred into a stew, less well as a condiment on the plate.

A North African paste of rehydrated dried red chillies pounded with garlic, olive oil and warm spices, typically cumin, coriander and caraway. Rose harissa adds dried rose petals for a floral note.

What it does in a recipe: Chilli heat carried in oil, with garlic and toasted spice built in — a flavour base as much as a hot sauce. Pick the swap that covers that job — the ratios below are written so you can act on them without doing any arithmetic.

Also called: Harissa paste, North African chilli paste

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Condiments & saucescategory

Quick answer

Sambal oelek + cumin, caraway and olive oil

1 tbsp harissa = 2 tsp sambal oelek + 1/4 tsp ground cumin + 1/8 tsp ground caraway + 1/2 tsp olive oil + 1/4 tsp grated garlic

All substitutes, best first

4 ways to replace harissa

Sambal oelek + cumin, caraway and olive oil

Reliable

1 tbsp harissa = 2 tsp sambal oelek + 1/4 tsp ground cumin + 1/8 tsp ground caraway + 1/2 tsp olive oil + 1/4 tsp grated garlic

Sambal supplies the chilli and salt with no competing flavours, and the spices and oil rebuild the specifically North African profile on top of it.

MethodWarm the ground spices in the oil for 30 seconds before mixing them in — untoasted, they taste dusty.

Trade-offBrighter and hotter than a good harissa, which gets its depth from dried rather than fresh chillies.

CookingSaucesVeganVegetarianGluten-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-free

Chilli powder + tomato paste + olive oil

Reliable

1 tbsp harissa = 1 tsp chilli powder + 2 tsp tomato paste + 1 tsp olive oil + 1/4 tsp ground cumin + 1/4 tsp grated garlic

Tomato paste gives the thick, slightly sweet body that harissa has, while the chilli, cumin and garlic cover the flavour.

Trade-offMore tomato-forward and less fiery. It works stirred into a stew, less well as a condiment on the plate.

CookingSaucesVeganVegetarianGluten-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-free

Gochujang + olive oil + cumin

In a pinch

1 tbsp harissa = 2 tsp gochujang + 1 tsp olive oil + 1/4 tsp ground cumin

Gochujang matches harissa's thick clinging paste texture and slow heat, and the cumin redirects it toward North Africa.

Trade-offDistinctly sweeter and more fermented. It will taste good but it will not taste like harissa.

CookingSaucesVeganVegetarianDairy-freeEgg-freeNut-free

Allergen checkGochujang is soy-based and most brands contain wheat or barley malt, so this is neither soy-free nor gluten-free.

Sriracha + smoked paprika + cumin

In a pinch

1 tbsp harissa = 2 tsp sriracha + 1/4 tsp smoked paprika + 1/4 tsp ground cumin + 1/2 tsp olive oil

Smoked paprika stands in for the dried-chilli depth harissa gets from its rehydrated peppers, while sriracha supplies the heat and body.

Trade-offSweeter and thinner, and the smoke reads more Spanish than Tunisian. Fine on roast vegetables.

CookingSaucesVeganVegetarianGluten-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeNut-free

Worth knowing

Harissa strength varies wildly between brands, from mild and tomatoey to genuinely fierce. Taste your jar before scaling a recipe up.

At a glance

Harissa in summary

Category	Condiments & sauces
Job in a recipe	Chilli heat carried in oil, with garlic and toasted spice built in — a flavour base as much as a hot sauce
Suits	Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Egg-free, Nut-free, Soy-free
Swaps available for	Dairy-free Egg-free Gluten-free Nut-free Soy-free Vegan Vegetarian
Number of substitutes	4

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Cooking around an allergy? Diet tags here describe the ingredient itself, not any particular brand. Processed products change formulation without notice and shared production lines are common, so read the label on everything you use. A severe allergy is a medical matter — confirm with the manufacturer or your clinician rather than relying on a substitution chart.