Chef John's Harissa Sauce

Chef John's Harissa Sauce

Red peppers, habanero peppers, and Fresno chiles combine to make this flavorful Tunisian hot sauce a perfect addition to spice up any meal!

Preparation Time
20 mins
Cooking Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Calories
99 Calories

Recipe Instructions

Step 1
Preheat oven's broiler and set the oven rack at about 6 inches from the heat source. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place red bell peppers with cut sides down onto the prepared baking sheet. Cook under the preheated broiler until the skin of the peppers has blackened and blistered, 5 to 8 minutes. Place the blackened peppers into a bowl and tightly seal with plastic wrap. Allow the peppers to steam as they cool, about 20 minutes. Remove and discard skins.
Step 2
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add Fresno and habanero chiles and cook uncovered over medium heat until vegetables start to soften, about 3 minutes; drain and set aside to cool. Remove seeds and membranes from chiles (wear gloves); set aside.
Step 3
Shake coriander and caraway seeds in a skillet over medium heat until you start to smell the spice, about 2 minutes. Use a mortar and pestle to crush toasted seeds; add cumin, mint, and salt, and crush until finely ground. Transfer spices to a blender and add roasted bell peppers, chiles, garlic, lemon juice, and vegetable oil; puree until smooth. Drizzle in extra-virgin olive oil at the end, blending for only a few seconds.
Chef John's Harissa Sauce
Chef John's Harissa Sauce
Chef John's Harissa Sauce
Chef John's Harissa Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 red bell peppers, halved and seeded
  • 1 habanero pepper
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
  • 6 Fresno chile peppers
  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 0.5 teaspoon dried mint
  • 0.25 teaspoon caraway seeds, or more to taste
  • 0.25 teaspoon coriander seeds, or more to taste

Categories

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