You Bought Harissa For One Recipe, Here Are 23 Ways To Use It Up

Harissa is one of those ingredients often bought for one meal and then sitting forgotten about in the back of the fridge. It’s bold, spicy, and packed with flavor, but most of the time it doesn’t get used more than once. That’s a waste of a great ingredient. These recipes give harissa a proper spot in the rotation. It works across all kinds of meals from meats and grains to vegetables and dips. There’s no reason to let it sit around unused with all these delicious possibilities.

Harissa Grilled Pork Chops

Rub some harissa on pork chops, fire up the grill, and you’ve got a no-fuss dinner with bold flavor. These cook quickly and pair well with just about anything from the garden or fridge. It’s an easy way to keep things interesting without a bunch of extra steps.
Get the Recipe: Harissa Grilled Pork Chops

Sweet Potato Hash

This harissa-spiked hash is great any time of day. Roast some sweet potatoes, throw in a few eggs if you want, and you’re done. It’s fast, flexible, and a solid excuse to use that harissa sitting in the back of the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Hash

Spicy Skillet Lamb Ragu

This one-skillet pasta is the kind of dinner that makes it look like you put in way more effort than you did. The lamb, harissa, and crushed tomatoes simmer into a rich, bold sauce that clings to every bite of pasta. It’s great for when you’re tired but still want real food.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Skillet Lamb Ragu

Harissa Hummus

That jar of harissa you bought doesn’t have to sit in the fridge waiting for its next big moment. Stir it into hummus and you’ve got a punchy dip that’s way more interesting than the store-bought kind. It’s great with pita chips, raw veggies, or even as a spread on a wrap. Plus, it comes together in minutes, which makes it a smart way to stretch your leftovers and your time.
Get the Recipe: Harissa Hummus

Honey Harissa Carrots

If plain roasted carrots feel like a punishment, this recipe fixes that fast. The combo of harissa and honey balances heat with just the right touch of sweetness, and you don’t need much effort to get there. Throw everything on a pan, toss it in the oven, and let it do its thing. It’s the kind of easy side dish that makes the rest of dinner feel like you actually tried.
Get the Recipe: Honey Harissa Carrots

Khandeshi Fired Up Chicken

You bought harissa for one recipe and now it’s burning a hole in your fridge. Put it to work in this bold chicken dish that takes inspiration from India’s spice-forward Khandeshi cuisine. This version keeps things simple, using pantry staples and one skillet. It’s great for anyone who wants heat without the hassle of tracking down a dozen ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Khandeshi Fired Up Chicken

Halloumi Cheese Sticks in the Air Fryer

If you’re still dipping frozen mozzarella sticks into mystery sauce, it’s time for an upgrade. Halloumi holds its shape, fries up beautifully in the air fryer, and doesn’t need much more than a swipe of harissa to stand out. This snack is salty, crisp, and perfect for parties or lazy afternoons when you want something cheesy with a kick.
Get the Recipe: Halloumi Cheese Sticks in the Air Fryer

Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls with Feta Mint Sauce

These bowls are loaded with all the good stuff—grains, veggies, avocado, and that herby feta sauce that cools things down just enough. But the real reason to make them? That sweet and spicy harissa chicken that ties it all together. If you’re trying to make a second meal with the jar you opened last week, this one’s perfect for batch lunches or build-your-own dinners.
Get the Recipe: Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls with Feta Mint Sauce

Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings with Harissa Sauce

This is how you use up that harissa when you’re not in the mood for meat. Tossed in harissa and crisped up in the air fryer, these cauliflower bites are crunchy on the outside and tender inside. They’re perfect for dipping, perfect for game day, and perfect when you want to fool yourself into thinking vegetables are fun.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings with Harissa Sauce

Moroccan Lentil Soup with Sweet Potatoes

Harissa brings just enough heat to this soup to make it feel cozy without being boring. It’s loaded with lentils and chunks of sweet potato, so you’ll actually feel full after a bowl. This is the kind of thing you make on a cold night when you need something fast and hearty that doesn’t cost a fortune.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Lentil Soup with Sweet Potatoes

Harissa Chicken

Sheet pan meals were made for busy nights, and this one checks every box. Chicken thighs stay juicy thanks to a quick harissa marinade, and you can toss in whatever vegetables are about to go soft in your crisper drawer. It all roasts together, making cleanup a breeze and dinner taste like more than a backup plan.
Get the Recipe: Harissa Chicken

Harissa Potato Salad

Forget the mayo-loaded versions you see at picnics. This potato salad roasts the vegetables until golden, then coats them in a spicy harissa sauce that actually gives the dish some personality. It’s great warm or cold and makes a solid side when you’re bored of everything else you usually put next to a piece of chicken.
Get the Recipe: Harissa Potato Salad

Harissa Salmon Patties

Whether you’ve got leftover salmon or a can hiding in the pantry, these patties make quick work of dinner. Harissa adds flavor without extra effort, and they hold together well in a pan. Great for throwing on a salad, sandwich, or just eating with a fork because you’re too tired for anything else.
Get the Recipe: Harissa Salmon Patties

Harissa Cauliflower

This roasted cauliflower dish proves you don’t need much to make vegetables interesting. A little harissa paste, a hot oven, and a drizzle of tahini at the end pull it all together. It’s fast, flavorful, and actually makes a decent argument for cauliflower being dinner-worthy.
Get the Recipe: Harissa Cauliflower

Baked Moroccan Salmon Recipe with Harissa Chickpeas

If you’re already using harissa, you might as well go all in. This baked salmon dish builds a full dinner around it with chickpeas that roast in the same packet. It’s easy to prep, makes cleanup minimal, and the salmon turns out flaky and full of flavor every time.
Get the Recipe: Baked Moroccan Salmon Recipe with Harissa Chickpeas

Harissa Chickpea Stuffed Peppers

These stuffed peppers are what you make when you want something that looks impressive but comes together without much effort. The harissa wakes up the chickpeas, and when mixed with feta and farro, it turns into a great meatless meal that still fills you up.
Get the Recipe: Harissa Chickpea Stuffed Peppers

Harissa Shrimp

Harissa and shrimp are a fast, flavorful match. Just toss, cook, and serve. It’s a great recipe for when you’re short on time but still want something that tastes like you planned ahead. Serve it over rice, salad, or just straight off the pan.
Get the Recipe: Harissa Shrimp

Baked Harissa Chicken

If you’ve got a jar of harissa and a chicken in the fridge, this is the move. Roasting the bird with harissa and apricot jam makes the skin crisp and sticky in all the right ways. It’s a one-pan meal that feels fancy without any actual extra work.
Get the Recipe: Baked Harissa Chicken

Moroccan Roasted Vegetable Salad

This is the kind of salad that actually holds its own as dinner. Roasted vegetables mixed with chickpeas, fresh herbs, and a harissa dressing means it’s loaded with flavor and texture. It’s great for meal prep or packing up for lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Roasted Vegetable Salad

Harissa Lamb Chops with a Spicy Sauce

Lamb chops already bring big flavor, but the harissa marinade takes them over the top. These cook fast, work great for date night or dinner guests, and don’t need much more than a quick rest and a side dish.
Get the Recipe: Harissa Lamb Chops with a Spicy Sauce

Colossal Grilled Shrimp with Harissa Marinade

You bought harissa for one meal, but it’s time to get your money’s worth. These jumbo shrimp soak it up before hitting the grill, making them juicy and packed with flavor. Perfect for warm weather dinners or tossing into salads and tacos.
Get the Recipe: Colossal Grilled Shrimp with Harissa Marinade

Roasted Quails with Moroccan Couscous Stuffing & Apricot Sauce

If you’re trying to make a dent in that harissa stash and impress someone while you’re at it, this dish checks both boxes. The couscous stuffing is loaded with spice, citrus, and crunch, while the apricot sauce keeps things balanced. It’s surprisingly doable and great for when you want to cook something that feels a little extra.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Quails with Moroccan Couscous Stuffing & Apricot Sauce

Baked Harissa Meatballs

These lamb meatballs bake right in the sauce, which means less cleanup and more flavor. Harissa brings the heat without overpowering everything, and the whole dish comes together in about 30 minutes. Serve it with pasta, couscous, or bread to soak it all up.
Get the Recipe: Baked Harissa Meatballs