Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Harissa French dressing • A Spicy Zesty Mediterranean Dressing {Video} • Two Purple Figs

Harissa French dressing is a daring and vibrant dressing that brings the flavors of North Africa straight to your kitchen. Made with harissa paste, garlic, lemon juice or vinegar, olive oil and also you get an exceptional French dressing! We additionally use it for marinades, spreads and extra! It’s smoky, spicy, tangy, and barely candy abruptly.

green and red harissa vinaigrette in two jars

This Harissa French dressing  or harissa dressing is the proper sauce for a lot of makes use of! Drizzle it on salads, grain bowls, roasted greens, or grilled meats. You may as well use it as spreads for wraps or sandwiches, marinade for fish or hen and extra!

Immediately we’ve made TWO variations of harissa dressing for you, a inexperienced and a purple harissa French dressing. Each have a fiery coloration with balanced warmth, and style completely DELICIOUS! This humble harissa French dressing transforms easy dishes into one thing unique, contemporary, and thrilling. Better of all? It takes simply minutes to whisk collectively.

What Is Harissa?

Harissa is a conventional North African chili paste, particularly well-liked in Tunisian, Moroccan, and Algerian cuisines. It’s constructed from dried purple chilies, garlic, cumin, coriander, caraway, and olive oil.

As you dive deeper into every dwelling, you’ll discover that every grandma or family makes their very own relying on their style. Some houses make it additional smoky, additional heat with spice, additional tangy and extra.

In case you’re on the lookout for a retailer purchased model, look no additional than Mina Harissa. We love the inexperienced and spicy purple harissa, and use every in a different way. That is BY FAR our favourite model! You will discover them on-line or at Entire Meals.

Don’t miss out our Harissa Aioli!! The ABSOLUTE dip for fries, seafood, hen and extra!!!

When harissa is included right into a French dressing, it creates heat, richness and depth of flavors. This makes a dressing that feels extra advanced than your customary oil-and-vinegar mix.

A hand holding a jar of harissa vinaigrette close up

What’s a Harissa French dressing?

It’s principally a dressing or sauce or French dressing the place now we have swapped harissa paste for the mustard. Basic vinaigrettes are made with vinegar (or lemon juice), olive oil, and mustard. By swapping mustard for harissa, you add a lot of richness, physique and warmth, and naturally a Mediterranean flare.

The result’s a dressing that pairs fantastically with roasted carrots, salads, Tomato Carpaccio, grilled shrimp, Crispy Potatoes, and extra!

This French dressing isn’t only for salad lovers, it’s a staple for anybody who enjoys daring taste and Mediterranean cooking.

A hand holding a green harissa vinaigrette

Pink Harissa vs. Inexperienced Harissa

Not all harissa is similar — the truth is, there are two predominant varieties that may change your entire character of your French dressing.

Pink Harissa

  • Constituted of: dried purple chilies, garlic, cumin, coriander, caraway, and olive oil.
  • Taste profile: smoky, earthy, deeply spicy, typically barely candy.
  • Finest pairings: roasted root greens (carrots, beets, potatoes), grilled lamb or beef, couscous, hearty grain bowls, and even as a daring dip for bread.
  • French dressing fashion: A purple harissa French dressing is fiery and wealthy, with a deep red-orange hue. It really works finest on heavier dishes the place its depth received’t overpower.

Inexperienced Harissa

  • Constituted of: contemporary inexperienced chilies, cilantro, parsley, garlic, lemon, and olive oil.
  • Taste profile: more energizing, brighter, extra natural, with citrusy notes and a inexperienced chili kick.
  • Finest pairings: lighter protein like fish, shrimp, hen, or vegetarian dishes with zucchini, asparagus, or leafy greens.
  • French dressing fashion: A inexperienced harissa French dressing is zesty, vibrant, and fewer smoky than the purple model. It’s splendid for salads, seafood, and summer-inspired bowls.

Why You’ll Love Harissa Dressing

  • Completely scrumptious! TASTY sauce or French dressing with a daring taste that pairs so nicely with many dishes. It additionally provides a depth and richness to your recipes, which is difficult to match!
  • Fast & straightforward recipe, you simply want 5 minutes to combine collectively!
  • No cooking is required! This can be a go to on rushed days.
  • It’s a flexible sauce that works on salads, grains, veggies, and proteins, marinades and extra.
  • You can also make a inexperienced harissa French dressing or a purple harissa French dressing, or higher, make them each!
  • Daring & vibrant flavors with a smoky warmth, sweetness from the honey and a tangy stability.
  • Wholesome & clear recipe made with easy substances.

Substances You’ll Want

harissa vinaigrette Ingredients with harissa paste, olive oil, fresh garlic, honey, cilantro, some vinegar or lemon juice

  • Harissa paste. We purchased Mina Harissa, a purple harissa paste that’s spicy, and the inexperienced harissa paste, additionally spicy. It’s high-quality harissa and also you don’t have to make it from scratch in any respect!
  • Additional virgin olive oil. We likewise LOVE the Mina olive oil, single sourced and traceable from Moroccan olives.
  • Vinegar and lemon juice. Relying in your style, and the kind of harissa you’re utilizing, chances are you’ll go for both or. We LOVE white wine vinegar or purple wine vinegar (or cava) for the purple harissa French dressing and lemon juice for the inexperienced harissa French dressing.
  • Honey. For a contact of sweetness to around the spice. Whereas non Mediterranean in any respect, now we have discovered some choose the flavour of Maple syrup or agave right here.
  • Contemporary Garlic.  Provides additional depth and richness.
  • Salt & pepper. The only seasoning. You’ll be able to add in some chilli flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to intensify the warmth.
  • Contemporary Cilantro. Whereas you need to use any herb, we LOVE the intense cilantro right here. Additionally use parsley for those who’d like.

Methods to Make Harissa French dressing

We’re making two variations of this phenomenal sauce as we speak–a purple and a inexperienced one. They’re made the very same manner, with a distinction in flavors.
Side by side making a red harissa vinaigrette and a green harissa vinaigrette in two separate bowls

  1. Use a small bowl or a mason jar for those who’d like.
  2. Start by including the substances all collectively.
  3. Then shake or whisk till nicely blended.

red harissa vinaigrette in a bowl

Pink Harissa French dressing

You’re going too the next:

  • Harissa paste (purple)
  • Vinegar of alternative
  • Olive oil
  • Honey
  • Cilantro and seasoning.

Green harissa vinaigrette in a bowl

Inexperienced Harissa French dressing

You’re going so as to add the next:

  • Inexperienced harissa paste
  • Lemon or Lime juice
  • Olive oil
  • Honey
  • Cilantro and seasoning

Make a batch of each and hold them in your fridge. Use purple harissa French dressing for daring, smoky dishes, and inexperienced harissa French dressing for brilliant, contemporary meals.

harissa vinaigrette in a bowl surrounded by salad

Harissa French dressing Ideas

  1. Begin with a top quality harissa paste, we LOVE Mina model.
  2. In case you like a bolder style, add a tablespoon additional of harissa paste. Style and alter to your choice.
  3. Relying on how spicy you need your dressing to be, be sure that to style the harissa first. In any other case you may go for the delicate paste. This manner you’ll make a not-too-spicy harissa French dressing.
  4. For a creamier French dressing, mix in a spoonful of Greek yogurt or tahini.
  5. To make one of the best Aioli, do that Harissa Aioli.
  6. Drizzle on heat dishes simply earlier than serving for max taste influence.
  7. Retailer the harissa French dressing in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 weeks.
  8. Be certain that to shake nicely the combination earlier than utilizing to emulsify the dressing once more.
  9. In case you really feel the olive oil has hardened within the fridge, that’s a superb signal because it means you’re utilizing good high quality. In that case, carry the dressing to room temperature earlier than utilizing on salads.

What does harissa French dressing style like?

It’s smoky, spicy, tangy, garlicky and barely candy, with a chili taste balanced by vinegar and olive oil.

Is harissa French dressing very spicy?

It relies on the harissa you used to start out with. The model we use is MINA they usually have a light and spicy model so choose the one you’re snug with. You’ll be able to all the time alter the warmth degree by including roughly paste.

Can I make it with out vinegar?

Sure! We now have used lemon juice with the inexperienced harissa and it really works fantastically for a more energizing, citrus-forward taste.

What can I take advantage of as a substitute of harissa?

Just about noting. There are harissa powder manufacturers on the market, you may go for that. Likewise you need to use my grandpa’s viral Sizzling Pepper Sauce or Chili Oil Recipe, however that may NOT style the identical because the harissa French dressing.

What meals pair finest with harissa French dressing?

Roasted root greens, couscous bowls, lentil salads, grilled shrimp, and even as a dip for crusty bread.

Is harissa French dressing the identical as harissa salad dressing?

Sure, they’re interchangeable phrases. Harissa French dressing is solely a chili based mostly salad dressing that makes use of vinegar or lemon for acidity, and makes use of harissa paste as a substitute of mustard.

Can You Make Harissa French dressing With out Oil?

Sure. Swap the olive oil for Greek yogurt, tahini, and even avocado for a creamy, oil-free possibility.

Finest Salads for Harissa French dressing

It pairs fantastically with many salad recipes right here. It’s particularly tasty with tomatoes so attempt it with our Tomato Carpaccio! And carrots, so use it with this Honey Glazed Carrots. Additionally attempt it with Candy Potato SaladFalafel BowlFried Eggplant SaladHalloumi Cheese Salad.

Harissa French dressing Marinade

Apart from salads, this French dressing doubles as a marinade for hen, shrimp, or tofu. Simply marinate for half-hour earlier than grilling or roasting.

ready to go two harissa vinaigrette , one red harissa vinaigrette and one green harissa vinaigrette in a jar

Extra Salad Dressings and Sauces

Greek Salad Dressing
Blue Cheese Dressing
Tahini Sauce
Dill Sauce
Satay Sauce
Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe
Garlic Sauce

Harissa French dressing

Harissa French dressing is a daring and vibrant dressing that brings the flavors of North Africa straight to your kitchen. Made with harissa paste, garlic, lemon juice or vinegar, olive oil and also you get an exceptional French dressing! We additionally use it for marinades, spreads and extra! It is smoky, spicy, tangy, and barely candy abruptly.

Substances

Pink Harissa French dressing

  • 2
    Tablespoons
    Pink Harissa Paste
    We use Mina, use spicy or delicate to style
  • 2
    Tablespoons
    Vinegar
    purple or white
  • 1
    Tablespoon
    Honey
  • 1/4
    tesaspoon
    garlic
    minced
  • 1/8
    teaspoon
    salt and pepper
  • 1
    Tablespoon
    cilantro
    minced
  • 1/4
    cup
    Olive Oil

Inexperienced Harissa French dressing

  • 2
    Tablespoons
    Inexperienced Harissa Paste
    We use Mina, use spicy or delicate to style
  • 2
    Tablespoons
    Lemon Juice
  • 1
    Tablespoons
    Honey
  • 1/4
    teaspoon
    garlic
    Minced
  • 1/8
    teaspoon
    salt and pepper
  • 1
    Tablespoons
    Cilantro
    minced
  • 1/4
    cup
    Olive Oil

Directions

  1. Use a small bowl or a mason jar if you would like.

  2. Start by including the substances all collectively.

  3. Then shake or whisk till nicely blended.

  4. Pink Harissa French dressing

  5. Add all substances and whisk.

  6. Inexperienced Harissa French dressing

  7. Add all substances and whisk.

  8. Make a batch of each and hold them in your fridge. Use purple harissa French dressing for daring, smoky dishes, and inexperienced harissa French dressing for brilliant, contemporary meals.

Recipe Notes

Harissa French dressing Ideas

  1. Begin with a top quality harissa paste, we LOVE Mina model.
  2. In case you like a bolder style, add a tablespoon additional of harissa paste. Style and alter to your choice.
  3. Relying on how spicy you need your dressing to be, be sure that to style the harissa first. In any other case you may go for the delicate paste. This manner you may make a not-too-spicy harissa French dressing.
  4. For a creamier French dressing, mix in a spoonful of Greek yogurt or tahini.
  5. To make one of the best Aioli, do that Harissa Aioli.
  6. Drizzle on heat dishes simply earlier than serving for max taste influence.
  7. Retailer the harissa French dressing in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 weeks.
  8. Be certain that to shake nicely the combination earlier than utilizing to emulsify the dressing once more.
  9. In case you really feel the olive oil has hardened within the fridge, that is a superb signal because it means you are utilizing good high quality. In that case, carry the dressing to room temperature earlier than utilizing on salads.

What does harissa French dressing style like?

It’s smoky, spicy, tangy, garlicky and barely candy, with a chili taste balanced by vinegar and olive oil.

Is harissa French dressing very spicy?

It relies on the harissa you used to start out with. The model we use is MINA they usually have a light and spicy model so choose the one you are snug with. You’ll be able to all the time alter the warmth degree by including roughly paste.

Can I make it with out vinegar?

Sure! We now have used lemon juice with the inexperienced harissa and it really works fantastically for a more energizing, citrus-forward taste.

What can I take advantage of as a substitute of harissa?

Just about noting. There are harissa powder manufacturers on the market, you may go for that. Likewise you need to use my grandpa’s viral Sizzling Pepper Sauce or Chili Oil Recipe, however that may NOT style the identical because the harissa French dressing.

What meals pair finest with harissa French dressing?

Roasted root greens, couscous bowls, lentil salads, grilled shrimp, and even as a dip for crusty bread.

Is harissa French dressing the identical as harissa salad dressing?

Sure, they’re interchangeable phrases. Harissa French dressing is solely a chili based mostly salad dressing that makes use of vinegar or lemon for acidity, and makes use of harissa paste as a substitute of mustard.

Can You Make Harissa French dressing With out Oil?

Sure. Swap the olive oil for Greek yogurt, tahini, and even avocado for a creamy, oil-free possibility.

Finest Salads for Harissa French dressing

It pairs fantastically with many salad recipes right here. It is particularly tasty with tomatoes so attempt it with our Tomato Carpaccio! And carrots, so use it with this Honey Glazed Carrots. Additionally attempt it with Candy Potato SaladFalafel BowlFried Eggplant SaladHalloumi Cheese Salad.

Harissa French dressing Marinade

Apart from salads, this French dressing doubles as a marinade for hen, shrimp, or tofu. Simply marinate for half-hour earlier than grilling or roasting.

Diet Info

Harissa French dressing

Quantity Per Serving

Energy 144
Energy from Fats 126

% Every day Worth*

Fats 14g22%

Saturated Fats 2g13%

Polyunsaturated Fats 1g

Monounsaturated Fats 10g

Sodium 174mg8%

Potassium 36mg1%

Carbohydrates 6g2%

Fiber 0.2g1%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 0.2g0%

Vitamin A 58IU1%

Vitamin C 3mg4%

Calcium 3mg0%

Iron 0.2mg1%

* % Every day Values are based mostly on a 2000 calorie food plan.

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