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

Harissa vinaigrette is a bold 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 you get a phenomenal vinaigrette! We also use it for marinades, spreads and more! It’s smoky, spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet all at once.

This Harissa vinaigrette  or harissa dressing is the perfect sauce for many uses! Drizzle it on salads, grain bowls, roasted vegetables, or grilled meats. You can also use it as spreads for wraps or sandwiches, marinade for fish or chicken and more!

Today we’ve made TWO versions of harissa dressing for you, a green and a red harissa vinaigrette. Both have a fiery color with balanced heat, and taste absolutely DELICIOUS! This humble harissa vinaigrette transforms simple dishes into something exotic, fresh, and exciting. Best of all? It takes just minutes to whisk together.

What Is Harissa?

Harissa is a traditional North African chili paste, especially popular in Tunisian, Moroccan, and Algerian cuisines. It’s made from dried red chilies, garlic, cumin, coriander, caraway, and olive oil.

As you dive deeper into each home, you’ll find that each grandma or household makes their own depending on their taste. Some homes make it extra smoky, extra warm with spice, extra tangy and more.

If you’re looking for a store bought version, look no further than Mina Harissa. We love the green and spicy red harissa, and use each differently. This is BY FAR our favorite brand! You can find them online or at Whole Foods.

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

When harissa is incorporated into a vinaigrette, it creates warmth, richness and depth of flavors. This makes a dressing that feels more complex than your standard oil-and-vinegar blend.

What is a Harissa Vinaigrette?

It’s basically a dressing or sauce or vinaigrette where we have swapped harissa paste for the mustard. Classic vinaigrettes are made with vinegar (or lemon juice), olive oil, and mustard. By swapping mustard for harissa, you add lots of richness, body and heat, and of course a Mediterranean flare.

The result is a dressing that pairs beautifully with roasted carrots, salads, Tomato Carpaccio, grilled shrimp, Crispy Potatoes, and more!

This vinaigrette isn’t just for salad lovers, it’s a staple for anyone who enjoys bold flavor and Mediterranean cooking.

Red Harissa vs. Green Harissa

Not all harissa is the same — in fact, there are two main varieties that can change the entire character of your vinaigrette.

Red Harissa

• Made from: dried red chilies, garlic, cumin, coriander, caraway, and olive oil.
• Flavor profile: smoky, earthy, deeply spicy, sometimes slightly sweet.
• Best pairings: roasted root vegetables (carrots, beets, potatoes), grilled lamb or beef, couscous, hearty grain bowls, or even as a bold dip for bread.
• Vinaigrette style: A red harissa vinaigrette is fiery and rich, with a deep red-orange hue. It works best on heavier dishes where its intensity won’t overpower.

Green Harissa

• Made from: fresh green chilies, cilantro, parsley, garlic, lemon, and olive oil.
• Flavor profile: fresher, brighter, more herbal, with citrusy notes and a green chili kick.
• Best pairings: lighter protein like fish, shrimp, chicken, or vegetarian dishes with zucchini, asparagus, or leafy greens.
• Vinaigrette style: A green harissa vinaigrette is zesty, vibrant, and less smoky than the red version. It’s ideal for salads, seafood, and summer-inspired bowls.

Why You’ll Love Harissa Dressing

• Absolutely delicious! TASTY sauce or vinaigrette with a bold flavor that pairs so well with many dishes. It also adds a depth and richness to your recipes, which is hard to match!
• Quick & easy recipe, you just need 5 mins to mix together!
• No cooking is needed! This is a go to on rushed days.
• It’s a versatile sauce that works on salads, grains, veggies, and proteins, marinades and more.
• You can make a green harissa vinaigrette or a red harissa vinaigrette, or better, make them both!
• Bold & vibrant flavors with a smoky heat, sweetness from the honey and a tangy balance.
• Healthy & clean recipe made with simple ingredients.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Harissa paste. We bought Mina Harissa, a red harissa paste that is spicy, and the green harissa paste, also spicy. It’s high-quality harissa and you don’t need to make it from scratch at all!
• Extra virgin olive oil. We likewise LOVE the Mina olive oil, single sourced and traceable from Moroccan olives.
• Vinegar and lemon juice. Depending on your taste, and the type of harissa you’re using, you may opt for either or. We LOVE white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar (or cava) for the red harissa vinaigrette and lemon juice for the green harissa vinaigrette.
• Honey. For a touch of sweetness to round the spice. While non Mediterranean at all, we have found some prefer the flavor of Maple syrup or agave here.
• Fresh Garlic.  Adds extra depth and richness.
• Salt & pepper. The simplest seasoning. You can add in some chilli flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to accentuate the heat.
• Fresh Cilantro. While you can use any herb, we LOVE the bright cilantro here. Also use parsley if you’d like.

How to Make Harissa Vinaigrette

We’re making two versions of this phenomenal sauce today–a red and a green one. They’re made the exact same way, with a difference in flavors.

1. Use a small bowl or a mason jar if you’d like.
2. Begin by adding the ingredients all together.
3. Then shake or whisk until well blended.

Red Harissa Vinaigrette

You’re going too the following:

• Harissa paste (red)
• Vinegar of choice
• Olive oil
• Honey
• Cilantro and seasoning.

Green Harissa Vinaigrette

You’re going to add the following:

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

Make a batch of both and keep them in your fridge. Use red harissa vinaigrette for bold, smoky dishes, and green harissa vinaigrette for bright, fresh meals.

Harissa Vinaigrette Tips

1. Start with a high quality harissa paste, we LOVE Mina brand.
2. If you like a bolder taste, add a tablespoon extra of harissa paste. Taste and adjust to your preference.
3. Depending on how spicy you want your dressing to be, make sure to taste the harissa first. Otherwise you can opt for the mild paste. This way you’ll make a not-too-spicy harissa vinaigrette.
4. For a creamier vinaigrette, blend in a spoonful of Greek yogurt or tahini.
5. To make the best Aioli, try this Harissa Aioli.
6. Drizzle on warm dishes just before serving for maximum flavor impact.
7. Store the harissa vinaigrette in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
8. Make sure to shake well the mixture before using to emulsify the dressing again.
9. If you feel the olive oil has hardened in the fridge, that’s a good sign as it means you’re using good quality. In that case, bring the dressing to room temperature before using on salads.

What does harissa vinaigrette taste like?

It’s smoky, spicy, tangy, garlicky and slightly sweet, with a chili flavor balanced by vinegar and olive oil.

Is harissa vinaigrette very spicy?

It depends on the harissa you used to start with. The brand we use is MINA and they have a mild and spicy version so pick the one you’re comfortable with. You can always adjust the heat level by adding more or less paste.

Can I make it without vinegar?

Yes! We have used lemon juice with the green harissa and it works beautifully for a fresher, citrus-forward flavor.

What can I use instead of harissa?

Pretty much noting. There are harissa powder brands out there, you can opt for that. Likewise you can use my grandpa’s viral Hot Pepper Sauce or Chili Oil Recipe, but that will NOT taste the same as the harissa vinaigrette.

What foods pair best with harissa vinaigrette?

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

Is harissa vinaigrette the same as harissa salad dressing?

Yes, they’re interchangeable terms. Harissa vinaigrette is simply a chili based salad dressing that uses vinegar or lemon for acidity, and uses harissa paste instead of mustard.

Can You Make Harissa Vinaigrette Without Oil?

Yes. Swap the olive oil for Greek yogurt, tahini, or even avocado for a creamy, oil-free option.

Best Salads for Harissa Vinaigrette

It pairs beautifully with many salad recipes here. It’s especially tasty with tomatoes so try it with our Tomato Carpaccio! And carrots, so use it with this Honey Glazed Carrots. Also try it with Sweet Potato Salad, Falafel Bowl, Fried Eggplant Salad, Halloumi Cheese Salad.

Harissa Vinaigrette Marinade

Besides salads, this vinaigrette doubles as a marinade for chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Just marinate for 30 minutes before grilling or roasting.

More 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