Quick harissa mayo dip

This vibrant, chunky sauce combines the creamy richness of mayonnaise with the bold flavors of harissa, fresh herbs, and aromatic spices for a condiment that elevates everything it touches. Despite its name, this French-Belgian creation simply borrows North African flavor influences to create a versatile sauce that's equal parts spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet. Ready in minutes with just a handful of ingredients, this foolproof recipe delivers restaurant-quality results perfect for dipping, spreading, or drizzling.

I first encountered this sauce at a small French-inspired bistro where they served it alongside crispy fries. After one taste, I found myself dipping absolutely everything on my plate into it! The complex flavors somehow manage to complement whatever they touch—from simple vegetables to grilled meats. When I recreated it at home, my teenager who typically avoids 'spicy foods' ended up stealing the jar from the refrigerator for his late-night snacks. There's something magical about how the creaminess tames the heat while the fresh ingredients keep it bright and lively.

Ingredients

• Mayonnaise: Creates the creamy base that carries all the other flavors. High-quality mayo (whether traditional or vegan) makes a noticeable difference in the final result.
• Harissa paste: Provides the signature spicy kick and distinctive North African flavor profile. Look for authentic brands like Le Phare du Cap Bon for the most genuine taste.
• Red onion: Adds crunch and pungent freshness. The fine dice creates texture without overwhelming bites of raw onion.
• Fresh cilantro: Contributes bright, herbaceous notes that lift the entire sauce. Its distinctive flavor is key to the sauce's character.
• Tomato paste: Provides rich umami depth and beautiful color. The concentrated paste form is essential—don't substitute with other tomato products.
• Ground cumin: Adds earthy warmth that complements the other spices. Toasting it first dramatically enhances its flavor.
• Fresh lemon juice: Balances the richness with necessary acidity. Fresh-squeezed makes a significant difference in brightness.
• Sugar: Just a touch rounds out the flavors and balances the acidity and heat. It's subtle but necessary for harmony.

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Instructions

Prepare the fresh ingredients:

Begin by finely chopping one small red onion. The pieces should be very small—about 1/8 inch dice—to distribute flavor throughout the sauce without overwhelming bites with raw onion. Next, thoroughly wash a small bunch of fresh cilantro, pat it dry with paper towels, and finely chop both the leaves and tender stems to yield about 2 tablespoons. The cilantro adds essential brightness and herbaceous notes that balance the richness of the mayonnaise, so don't be tempted to skimp on this ingredient. Peel and mince 1-2 cloves of garlic, depending on how garlicky you prefer your sauce. Fresh garlic provides a pungent depth that powdered simply can't match.

Combine all ingredients:

In a medium glass or transparent bowl (which helps you spot any unmixed ingredients), add 1 cup of high-quality mayonnaise, creating the creamy base of your sauce. Add the chopped red onion, cilantro, and garlic to the mayonnaise. Next, incorporate 1-2 tablespoons of harissa paste, starting with less if you're sensitive to heat—you can always add more later. Add 1 tablespoon of tomato paste, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin (preferably toasted first for enhanced flavor), 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of sugar. The precise balance of these ingredients creates the signature flavor profile, with the harissa providing heat, the tomato paste contributing richness, the cumin adding warmth, and the sugar and lemon juice balancing everything.

Mix thoroughly:

Using a fork or small whisk, mix all ingredients vigorously until completely incorporated. Pay special attention to the tomato paste and harissa, which tend to cling to the sides of the bowl or form unmixed pockets. The sauce should have a consistent pale orange color with visible flecks of red onion and green cilantro distributed throughout. If you notice any streaks of unmixed ingredients, continue whisking, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. This thorough mixing ensures that every bite will have the perfect balance of flavors and prevents anyone from getting an unexpected mouthful of pure harissa or tomato paste.

Adjust to taste:

After the initial mixing, take a small taste to assess the flavor balance. Remember that the sauce will become spicier as it sits, so be cautious about adding more harissa immediately. If needed, add more lemon juice for acidity, sugar for sweetness, or a pinch of salt to enhance all the flavors. For a spicier sauce, incorporate additional harissa paste, ½ teaspoon at a time, mixing and tasting between additions. These final adjustments allow you to perfect the sauce according to your personal preferences while maintaining the authentic flavor profile. The sauce can be enjoyed immediately, but for the best flavor, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld and develop.

I learned the importance of finely chopping the onion through trial and error. My first batch contained larger pieces that dominated certain bites with too much raw onion flavor. Now I take the extra minute to dice it very finely for perfect distribution. Another game-changing discovery was toasting the ground cumin briefly in a dry pan before adding it to the sauce. This simple step eliminates the slightly musty aftertaste that cumin can sometimes have and enhances its warm, earthy notes. These small refinements elevate the sauce from good to exceptional.

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Serving Suggestions

This versatile sauce shines in countless applications. For an authentic experience, use it as the signature sauce in French tacos—a popular street food that wraps grilled meat, french fries, cheese, and this sauce in a tortilla before being pressed and grilled. As a dipping sauce, it's exceptional with crispy french fries, potato wedges, or sweet potato fries. The creamy-spicy combination perfectly complements the crispy exterior and fluffy interior of well-cooked potatoes.

For sandwiches and wraps, spread it generously as a flavor-packed alternative to plain mayonnaise. It works beautifully with falafel in pita, grilled chicken wraps, or classic burgers where it adds both moisture and complex flavor.

Variations and Substitutions

While the classic recipe is perfect as written, several variations can accommodate dietary preferences or ingredient availability:

For a lighter version, substitute one-third of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt. This creates a tangier sauce with fewer calories, though you may need to reduce the lemon juice slightly to compensate for the yogurt's natural acidity.

If cilantro isn't to your taste (or for those with the genetic predisposition that makes cilantro taste soapy), substitute with the same amount of fresh parsley. Add an extra teaspoon of lemon juice to compensate for the bright notes that cilantro would normally provide.

For those who can't find harissa paste, substitute with sambal oelek or even sriracha in a pinch. While the flavor profile will shift slightly, the sauce will still be delicious.

After making this sauce numerous times, I've discovered that a brief 'rest' at room temperature after mixing and before the final seasoning adjustments allows the flavors to start melding, giving you a more accurate sense of the final taste when making adjustments. I've also found that using a microplane for the garlic instead of mincing it creates a more evenly distributed garlic flavor without any harsh bits. These small technique adjustments make a noticeable difference in the final sauce, elevating it from good to exceptional with minimal extra effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What is harissa paste and where can I find it?

Harissa is a North African chili paste made from red peppers, spices, and herbs. You can find it in most supermarkets in the international foods section, at specialty food stores, or online. If you can't find it, you can substitute with sriracha mixed with a pinch of cumin, though the flavor will be different.

→ How spicy is this sauce?

The spice level is adjustable. Using 3 tablespoons of harissa makes it mild to medium spicy, while 6 tablespoons creates a hot sauce. Start with less and add more to suit your taste preferences.

→ What are French tacos?

French tacos are not traditional Mexican tacos, but rather a French street food consisting of a grilled, wrapped flour tortilla filled with meat, French fries, cheese, and various sauces - including Algerian sauce. They're popular in France and surrounding countries.

→ Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, the flavor improves if you make it ahead and refrigerate for at least an hour. This sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 10 days (or 4 days if made with Greek yogurt).

→ Is there a substitute for cilantro?

If you don't like cilantro, you can substitute with flat-leaf parsley for a different but still delicious flavor profile. You can also omit the herb completely if preferred.