harissa

noun

ha·​ris·​sa hə-ˈri-sə 

: a spicy North African paste made from dried chilies, salt, oil, and other seasonings

Roast chicken slathered in fiery Moroccan harissa is served with a bright orange dollop of carrot purée …

—Margot Dougherty

Examples of harissa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The second variety, a harissa, just launched this Spring. —Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025

Starters such as King Salmon Crudo get an extra kick from the North African red chile pasta harissa, lime and sesame; Grilled Spanish Octopus from mint and aged Sherry; the popular Gem Lettuce Salad from Dill, Scallion, Cucumber and Sesame-Anchovy Vinaigrette. —Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

Little dishes of beets and spicy carrots and harissa. —Saki Knafo, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Jan. 2023

The food goes big on texture, spice and indulgence: cloud-like challah with za’atar butter, lamb neck tagine layered with rose harissa and saffron, a beautiful Jerusalem artichoke dish that wouldn’t look out of place in a white-tablecloth tasting menu. —Lela London, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & North African Arabic; French harissa, borrowed from North African Arabic harīsa "dish of ground meat and bulgur or couscous, paste made from chili peppers and spices," derivative of Arabic harasa "crush, bruise, pound"

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for harissa

• abscissa
• mantissa
• melissa
• disa
• issa
• nyssa