From sandwiches to fries, elevate any meal with this creamy, spicy, and bold Harissa Aioli!
I had the pleasure of trying harissa for the first time a few years ago. I should’ve given it a go much earlier than that, but I’d been misled to believe harissa was insanely spicy. I used to avoid food with heat until fairly recently, but these days? I love all things spicy!
Actually, harissa, especially this recipe, doesn’t have to be hot. I mean, it is spicy but not hot. Harissa isn’t like ghost pepper—you won’t cry and choke after a bite. Also, when you transform harissa into aioli, it dials down some of the heat normally associated with harissa paste.
Above all, you’ll fall in love with this harissa aioli recipe because it is so versatile. I like to spread it on sandwiches, dip my fries in it, or drizzle it over vegetables. It’s not bad on grilled meats, either! There’s no wrong way to enjoy this stuff.
Aside from the harissa paste, your kitchen is most likely stocked with all the ingredients you need to make this aioli. It’s easy to make, too! Basically, you just mix everything together, and in no time, you have a new sauce to level up your next meal.
Is This Harissa Aioli Healthy?
The key ingredient in harissa aioli is mayo, which is not exactly a healthy food. However, you’ll likely serve the aioli as a condiment. As long as you stick to sensible portions, you should be fine. Of course, you could always use reduced-fat mayo. Or just add less regular mayo to the recipe, though this would change the aioli’s consistency. For vegans, simply trade the regular mayo for a plant-based alternative instead.
What Is Harissa?
For anyone new to cooking with or eating harissa, here’s a little background on the flavorful paste. Harissa comes from Tunisia, a country in the Maghreb region of Northern Africa. This red chili paste is flavored with olive oil and spices such as garlic and cumin. While harissa differs from anything I’ve ever tasted, some compare it to sriracha. However, sriracha doesn’t possess the same depth of flavor as harissa due to the lack of additional spices. You’ll just have to try harissa for yourself!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
You can store your harissa aioli in the refrigerator in an airtight container or jar for up to 10 days.
Serving Suggestions
While plenty of love goes into making our harissa aioli, it is still a condiment and can be served as one. I recommend cooking up some Homemade French Fries or Sweet Potato Fries and serving your harissa aioli as a dipping sauce. Speaking of dipping, try this aioli with wings or tenders. Some of my favorites are classic Crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken, these “naked” Air-Fryer Chicken Bites, or a tangy batch of Salt-And-Vinegar Chicken Wings.
You’ll definitely need something refreshing to wash all this down. Keep it fun with a fruity Hurricane or zesty Mojito. Prefer something alcohol-free? Agua De Jamaica is the perfect iced tea for a hot summer’s day. Likewise, a tall glass of Lemonade will do the trick!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon harissa paste
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic minced
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, harissa paste, lemon juice, and minced garlic. Stir until the ingredients are well blended.
- Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste, and whisk again to ensure all flavors are evenly distributed.
- Allow the aioli to sit for a few minutes for the flavors to meld together. Serve as a dip or spread for your favorite dishes.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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