North African Green Harissa
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Green harissa sauce is a mildly spicy North African condiment. Like chimichurri, green harissa is commonly served with grilled vegetables, couscous, and roasted meats.
Green harissa sauce is made with parsley, cilantro, jalapeño, lemon, ground cumin, and ground coriander, two essential North African spices. The word “harissa” means “to pound” in Arabic. It means “to pound,” as in pounding the ingredients into a thick sauce or paste. This small detail explains why green and red harissa are both considered harissa, even though they’re so different.
When I make green harissa at home, I remove the jalapeño seeds. This allows the jalapeño flavor to shine without overpowering the fresh herbs. But if you like more spice, leave the seeds in.
Lemon balances all the flavors together. This recipe is similar to the sauce used in batata harra, a spicy Middle Eastern potato dish. It is just one of the many uses for harissa.
Green Harissa Questions
What is green harissa?
Green harissa is a vegan condiment that is used to add flavor. It is made with green chilies, cilantro, olive oil, garlic, and Middle Eastern spices. It has a fresh herb flavor and is milder than red harissa paste.
What is the difference between red and green harissa?
Red harissa is made with red chili peppers, while green harissa uses jalapeños. Red chili peppers are spicier than green jalapeños. I compare this to red vs. green Tabasco.
What can I use green harissa with?
Use green harissa like salsa, ketchup, or other condiments. I like to add it to my Mediterranean wrap instead of hummus. Speaking of hummus, I like to mix a tablespoon into a cup of hummus to make a spicy harissa hummus.
Green Harissa Ingredients
Key Ingredient Notes
Cilantro
Is the base of green harissa. When buying, look for the freshest bunch at the store.
Parsley
Adds a fresh flavor that balances out the cilantro and chiles. Also, choose the freshest bunch available.
Jalapenos
Jalapenos add the spice. For a milder flavor, remove the veins and seeds. You can also substitute them with green chiles for a completely mild flavor.
More Recipes With Harissa
Frequently Asked Questions
How Did It Go?
I hope you loved this green harissa recipe as much as I do! Before you go, please leave a rating and a comment to let me know how it went.
Green Harissa Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed
- 1 cup fresh parsley leaves, packed
- 2-3 green jalapeños, remove the seeds for a milder flavor
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 medium lemon, juiced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- salt, to taste
- 2-3 tablespoons water, optional, for thinner consistency
Instructions
- Prep: Wash and dry the cilantro and parsley. Cut the bottom half of the stems off, but keep the top part intact.
- Pulse: Add cilantro, parsley, jalapeños, and garlic to a food processor. Pulse 3-5 times to break them down.
- Spices: Add the cumin, coriander, lemon juice, and olive oil. Blend until everything is finely chopped and well combined. Serve or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.