20 Genius Ways to Use Trader Joe’s Harissa Paste
This amazing condiment, Trader Joe’s Harissa Paste (Traditional Tunisian Harissa), is called “the ketchup of North Africa,” and will add flavor and spice up almost ANY dish! Here are just 20 ways to use this incredible little condiment!
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WHAT IS TRADER JOE’S HARISSA PASTE?
Harissa paste is a North African condiment that Trader Joe’s describes as “what ketchup is in the United States,” is harissa in North Africa.
The base of Trader Joe’s “Harissa Hot Chili Pepper Paste” is grilled red chilis that are mixed with oil, salt, garlic, and the traditional harissa spices of coriander and caraway.
This spreadable condiment can be used in SO many ways and will definitely be a spice/flavor boost to anything you slather it on!
WHAT DOES HARISSA TASTE LIKE?
This deep red paste is smooth and spreadable. It has a little smoke flavor because the chilis are grilled over an open flame. Another thing – it’s spicy!!! If you don’t have a spice tolerance, you might have to work up to one before you try this harissa paste!
This harissa is heat-spicy but it’s also flavorful-spicy. The spices in Trader Joe’s harissa are caraway and coriander. The warm spices are not overpowering at all–it’s very well balanced.
No Trader Joe’s nearby?? No worries. You can buy Trader Joe’s Traditional Tunisian Harissa on Amazon (of course!)
20 WAYS TO USE TRADER JOE’S HARISSA PASTE
1. Mixed into fried rice
I love Trader Joe’s Crunchy Chili Onion stirred into fried rice, but stirring in some harissa paste is also an amazing burst of flavor and spice!
2. Sandwiches
Mix it in with a little mayo to make a tasty sandwich spread OR… mix it in with chickpeas and make this incredible Harissa Chickpea Smash Sandwich!
3. Make a dip!
Mix with sour cream or Greek yogurt for a yummy dip for crackers and veggies.
4. Sheet pan chicken
This sheet pan harissa chicken would be perfect to meal prep for the week!
5. Grilled chicken thighs or breasts
You can either use it as a marinade or just brush a little harissa on at the end…drizzle on a little hot honey when it comes off the grill, too for even more of a kick!
Try these amazing grilled chicken kebobs marinated with harissa, yogurt, and spices!
6. Shakshuka/Eggs in Purgatory
Shakshuka/Eggs in Purgatory are simply eggs simmered in tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices. Adding a few teaspoons of harissa is a great addition to add some spice!
7. Homemade meatballs with a kick!
Add a few tablespoons of harissa to your meatballs for flavor and spice!
8. Spicy Harissa Salmon
This recipe is a super quick and easy weeknight meal – it’s ready in 15 minutes!!
9. Hamburgers or turkey burgers
Stir a bit of harissa into your ground beef or turkey for flavorful burgers.
10. Vinaigrette
This vinaigrette recipe is so easy and perfect drizzling over mixed greens, grain bowls, or even grilled meats!
11. Eggs
You don’t have to be fancy and make eggs in purgatory — just stir a little harissa into your scrambled eggs or use it as a topping for omelets and fried eggs.
12. Stirred into sauteed or roasted veggies
Adding harissa to cooked veggies is an easy way to get TONS of flavor and spice into your “boring” veggies. Try these easy roasted potatoes with harissa!
13. Honey harissa chicken
Use harissa to make this yummy grilled honey harissa chicken!
14. Spice up a pasta salad
Use this hot harissa vinaigrette as a dressing for your pasta salad OR stir a bit of harissa into your go-to pasta salad dressing.
Casey’s Top Tip: When adding harissa paste to dishes, start with a q-1-2 teaspoons first. Taste, then adjust to you spice level tolerence. It can be pretty spicy if you’re not not used to foods with heat!
15. Goat cheese dip
If goat cheese is your thing, stir some of the Trader Joe’s harissa paste into goat cheese for a creamy dip for crackers.
16. Mixed with cottage cheese
This little concoction is great with veggies or spread onto toast.
17. Harissa Shrimp
This harissa shrimp recipe uses simple ingredients to make the most flavorful dish!
18. Stirred into chili and stews
Start with a few teaspoons, taste, and add more for more flavor and spice if needed.
19. Tuna salad
Similar to the chickpea smash sandwich above, you can also use tuna instead of chickpeas for a nice, protein-filled lunch!
20. Mixed into hummus
Stir in a dollop of harissa into your hummus for a kick, or make your own harissa garlic hummus.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Harissa is a spicy Tunisian condiment and it can come in a variety of forms: paste, powder, and rub. The Trader Joe’s version is a “paste” meaning it’s mixed with oil and spices and is a spreadable condiment.
As Trader Joe’s puts it, it’s “a healthy amount of heat.” Yes, it’s spicy!! The main ingredient is red chilis, which can be fairly spicy, but the chilis are grilled over an open flame, then oil and spices are added, which mellow out the spiciness a BIT.
I would give the spice factor a 7 out of 10. It’s the kind of spice that hits your throat and lingers for a few minutes–LOL! Hurts so good!
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