Healthy Harissa Paste
A vibrant and flavorful homemade harissa paste recipe made with simple, healthy ingredients. Perfect for adding a spicy kick to your dishes!
Equipment
- 1 Food Processor or high-powered blender
- 1 Small saucepan
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 0.5 tsp caraway seeds
- 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper adjust to your spice preference
Fresh Ingredients
- 6 red bell peppers about 2 lbs
- 6 cloves garlic
- 2 red chillies serrano or similar
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 0.25 cup olive oil extra virgin
- 2 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven's broiler. Place the chopped red bell peppers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Broil for 5-7 minutes, or until the skins are blackened and blistered, flipping halfway through. Remove from the oven and immediately transfer the peppers to a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let them steam for 10 minutes (this makes peeling easier).
- After steaming, peel the skins off the peppers. Don't worry if you don't get every last bit.
- Heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Do not brown.
- Add the peeled bell peppers, garlic, chillies, tomato paste, lemon juice, and all the dry spices to a food processor. Blend until a smooth paste forms. You may need to scrape down the sides of the processor a few times.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Add more cayenne pepper for extra heat, or more lemon juice for brightness. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Notes
For a smokier flavor, roast the peppers over an open flame on a gas stovetop before peeling.