harissa

American  

[hah-ree-suh, huh-ri-suh] / hɑˈri sə, həˈrɪ sə /

noun

1. a pungent paste or sauce made with chiles, garlic, cumin, caraway, coriander, paprika, and olive oil, used as a condiment and flavoring in North African and Middle Eastern cooking.

---

harissa British  

/ həˈrɪsə /

noun

1. (in Tunisian cookery) a hot paste or sauce made from chilli peppers, tomatoes, spices, and olive oil, often served with couscous

---

Etymology

Origin of harissa

First recorded in 1905–10; from Arabic harīsa, originally a dish of bulgur and meat pounded together into a porridge, from harasa “to pound, crush, break”

Example Sentences

Chickpeas tossed with olive oil, harissa, garlic powder, chili powder, oregano, and an almost unreasonable amount of lemon zest.

From Salon • Jan. 13, 2026

For some, that means fewer carne asada burritos and harissa bowls.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025

Let’s say you find chicken thighs, carrots, half a box of penne, an almost-empty jar of harissa, some butter and heavy cream.

From Salon • Mar. 30, 2025

Earthy pistachios add a delightful crunch, while the smoky heat of harissa complements the halibut’s subtle sweetness.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 16, 2024

The harissa is a simple way to incorporate both chili heat and a mixture of aromatic spices.

From Washington Times • Sep. 6, 2023