---
title: "Harissa"
section: recipes
description: "Recipes for traditional harissa using either dried or fresh peppers with toasted spices, garlic, oil and lemon."
tags: ["harissa", "peppers", "spice", "homemade", "condiments", "cumin", "coriander", "olive-oil", "garlic", "recipe"]
created: 2024-03-14T12:06:00Z
updated: 2026-07-29T21:06:17Z
cid: bafkreifb2pzd6r35bs3dzuldpw7ymm5fusva54vktlmcdoi6yz7zkastky
html: https://iammatthias.com/recipes/1710443206146-harissa
---

# Harissa

```recipe
yield: "about 250 ml (a small jar)"
time: "20 min active · 50 min total"

ingredients:
  - { id: coriander-seeds, item: "Coriander seeds", amount: "1 teaspoon" }
  - { id: cumin-seeds, item: "Cumin seeds", amount: "1 teaspoon" }
  - { id: caraway-seeds, item: "Caraway seeds", amount: "½ teaspoon" }
  - { id: garlic-cloves, item: "Garlic cloves", amount: "3", note: "Peeled" }
  - { id: salt, item: "Salt", amount: "1 teaspoon", note: "Or to taste" }
  - { id: olive-oil, item: "Olive oil", amount: "3 tablespoons", note: "Plus extra for storing" }
  - { id: lemon-juice, item: "Lemon juice", amount: "1 tablespoon", note: "Freshly squeezed" }
  - { id: dried-chilies, item: "Dried chilies", amount: "4 ounces", note: "Seeded, stems removed" }

steps:
  - id: s1
    in: [coriander-seeds, cumin-seeds, caraway-seeds, dried-chilies]
    do: "rehydrate dried chilies"
    for: "30 min"
    detail: "Rehydrate dried chilies by soaking them in hot water for 30 minutes. Drain and remove any remaining seeds if desired."
  - id: s2
    in: [s1]
    do: "lightly toast"
    for: "2–3 min"
    detail: "In a dry skillet over medium heat, lightly toast the coriander, cumin, and caraway seeds until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Let them cool and then grind them into a fine powder."
  - id: s3
    in: [s2, garlic-cloves, salt, olive-oil, lemon-juice]
    do: "combine the rehydrated"
    detail: "In a food processor, combine the rehydrated chilies, ground spices, garlic cloves, salt, olive oil, and lemon juice. Blend until a smooth paste forms."
  - id: s4
    in: [s3]
    do: "transfer to a jar"
    detail: "Transfer to a jar and cover the top with a thin layer of olive oil; this helps preserve the harissa. Store in the refrigerator for up to a month."
```

---

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