What can I use instead of Harissa?

Sambal oelek + caraway + cumin: 1 Tbsp sambal oelek + 1/2 tsp caraway + 1/2 tsp cumin + 1 Tbsp olive oil. Chili-garlic paste + smoked paprika + caraway: 1 Tbsp chili-garlic paste + 1/2 tsp smoked paprika + 1/2 tsp caraway.

Substitute for Harissa

What it does in a recipe: North African chili paste: smoky, garlicky, with caraway warmth.

2 substitutes, ranked by what's already in your pantry. Amounts are dataset values — US and metric where a ratio exists.

Sambal oelek + caraway + cumin

per 1 Tbsp harissa

US1 Tbsp sambal oelek + 1/2 tsp caraway + 1/2 tsp cumin + 1 Tbsp olive oil

Metric15 g sambal + spices + oil

CommonBaking-safe ✓Alcohol-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeFish-freeGluten-freeNut-freePeanut-freeShellfish-freeSoy-freeVegan

Rebuilds the North African spice profile.

What changes: Less smoky

Chili-garlic paste + smoked paprika + caraway

per 1 Tbsp harissa

US1 Tbsp chili-garlic paste + 1/2 tsp smoked paprika + 1/2 tsp caraway

Metric15 g + 1 g + 1 g

CommonBaking-safe ✓Alcohol-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeFish-freeGluten-freeNut-freePeanut-freeShellfish-freeSoy-freeVegan

Smokier build from common jars.

What changes: Smokier

Related swaps

Common questions

What can I use instead of Harissa?: Sambal oelek + caraway + cumin: 1 Tbsp sambal oelek + 1/2 tsp caraway + 1/2 tsp cumin + 1 Tbsp olive oil. Chili-garlic paste + smoked paprika + caraway: 1 Tbsp chili-garlic paste + 1/2 tsp smoked paprika + 1/2 tsp caraway.
What is the exact ratio to substitute Harissa?: Sambal oelek + caraway + cumin (per 1 Tbsp harissa) — US: 1 Tbsp sambal oelek + 1/2 tsp caraway + 1/2 tsp cumin + 1 Tbsp olive oil. Metric: 15 g sambal + spices + oil.
What changes when you substitute Harissa?: Less smoky. Smokier.

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