Harissa Vinaigrette (Cava Inspired)
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Make harissa vinaigrette at home with the spice perfectly tailored to your preference! Dip your favorite roasted veggies in it. Pour this cave-inspired dressing into your next grain bowl or salad. My favorite is to toss potatoes in this dressing for a North African twist on potato salad (did someone say new BBQ favorite?)
Harissa Vinaigrette
At a Glance
EASE: Super Easy
CUISINE: North African | Mediterranean
TIME: 5 Minutes (at most!)
It is fair to say I have a Harissa obsession. I was slow to discover Harissa. However, since discovering it’s fair to say I am obsessed. I want to put it on everything from spicy roasted carrots, True Foods roasted cauliflower and spicy potato salad! My inspiration for this harissa vinaigrette recipe came from my other obsession, Cava.
I have been stopping by there weekly to get a Mediterranean bowl. Each time I stand in line debating between lemon tahini sauce or harissa vinaigrette. I don’t mean to be annoying, but I am pretty sure I am.
After a few tries, I have developed a recipe mimicking Cava’s harissa vinaigrette. I can have it every day on everything. And there is a good chance I will, for a few weeks, until I find another obsession. I hope you try this recipe and love it as much as I do!
What Is Harissa Dressing?
Let’s start with what is harissa. It is a North African chili paste made by grinding peppers, spices, and olive oil together. It is often called a paste, but I prefer to think of it as a thick sauce because it is spreadable but not pourable. My favorite part is the flavor, it is complex and layered.
There are several variations of harissa, including green harissa (a fresher version made with herbs) and rose harissa (which includes rose petals for a floral twist). This recipe uses the most common spicy red harissa—often just called “harissa.”
Ingredient Notes
- Harissa Paste – You can make harissa or buy it. I buy the Mina brand. I always find it at Target in its global foods section, or I order online. Mina sells harissa in two spice levels: medium and hot. I use medium spice. I enjoy the heat level more than the hot. My husband is the opposite. But since I am the cook……
- Lemon Juice – A sprinkle of fresh lemon gives the dressing a bright feel. Between you and me, a sprinkle of lemon makes everything better!
- Red Wine Vinegar – Balances out the rich olive oil flavor to create a well-rounded dressing.
Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredient amounts & step-by-step instructions!
My Best Tip
- Because spiciness is individual, always start with less harissa than the recipe calls for. Add in more until you reach your perfect spice level. Remember, when cooking you can always add more, but you can’t take out. So err on the side of caution.
Perfect Pairings
- Use it in place of the dressing for the Mediterranean cucumber and tomato salad or kale crunch salad. This will spice it up a bit!
- I love to serve purple cauliflower and spicy roasted carrots. I serve them with a thick version of harissa sauce on the side. It is always a hit!
- Spread a thick version on sandwiches or wraps in place of mayo or mustard. I like it on my Mediterranean wrap in place of hummus.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you tried this harissa vinaigrette recipe or any other recipe on my blog, leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below.
Harissa Vinaigrette (Cava Inspired)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp harissa paste adjust to taste
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1 small garlic clove minced
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together all ingredients until well combined. To emulsify, whisk vigorously.
- Taste and adjust seasoning or spice level as preferred.
- Use immediately or store in an air tigth container in the fridge for up to a week.
Notes
- This recipe will yield ½ cup of dressing.
- If you want a thick emulsification, add one to two teaspoons of tahini paste. The flavor will compliment the dressing without taking away the harissa flavor.
Nutrition
More Recipes Made With Harissa
- Make one of True Foods most popular appetizers, Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Harissa Sauce.
- Toss roasted carrots in a harissa sauce is an easy side dish loaded with flavor!
- Try homemade green harissa, made with fresh herbs and jalapenos.
