Chef John's Harissa Sauce

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


  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.
  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.
  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.

04/16/2018
Chef John's Harissa Sauce, recipe PT15M PT1H 5 455 calories

Comment on this content
rosemary and goat cheese crostini with walnuts and honey
rosemary and goat cheese crostini with walnuts and honey
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).Place baguette..
4.1
7207
ginger beer
ginger beer
Finely shred ginger into a bowl. Zest lemons and add zest to..
3.9
5562
black bean avocado hazelnut mocha cake
black bean avocado hazelnut mocha cake
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8-i..
4.4
4348
asparagus summer soup
asparagus summer soup
Cut asparagus stalks into 1-inch pieces; reserve tips in a b..
3.4
4166
caribbean sangria
caribbean sangria
Place orange slices, peach slices, lemon slices, and lime sl..
4.2
4271
smoked paprika chicken, kale, and bean stew
smoked paprika chicken, kale, and bean stew
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chicken ..
3.7
4318
japanese-mexican fusion quesadillas
japanese-mexican fusion quesadillas
Combine soy sauce, sugar, ginger, and garlic in a large bowl..
2.9
5283
vegan oven-fried zucchini sticks
vegan oven-fried zucchini sticks
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread olive ..
2.1
4799
flourless triple chocolate cookies
flourless triple chocolate cookies
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spray 2 bakin..
3.4
4616
chef john's romesco sauce
chef john's romesco sauce
Turn on a gas stove and roast bell peppers over the open fla..
554
Chef John's Remoulade Sauce
Chef John's Remoulade Sauce
Stir mayonnaise, cornichons, dill, capers, lemon juice, Dijo..
790
Chef John's Tzatziki Sauce
Chef John's Tzatziki Sauce
Sprinkle grated cucumber with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl an..
5
1675
Chef John's Bearnaise Sauce
Chef John's Bearnaise Sauce
Place 1 cup tarragon, shallots, and peppercorns in a saucepa..
1686
Chef John's Tomato Sauce
Chef John's Tomato Sauce
Place olive oil, onion, celery, and a pinch of salt into a l..
1108
Chef John's Chimichurri Sauce
Chef John's Chimichurri Sauce
Combine oil, garlic, vinegar, salt, cumin, red pepper flakes..
891
Chef John's Green Sauce
Chef John's Green Sauce
Crush garlic and salt in a molcajete or with a mortar and pe..
790