Harissa Yogurt Sauce (Dairy-Free) – Veggie Inspired

Ingredient notes and substitutions

Yogurt ~ My favorite vegan yogurt these days is Trader Joe’s Creamy Cashew Cultured Yogurt Alternative. However, any unsweetened, plain dairy-free yogurt will work.

Harissa ~ Harissa is a paste made from dried red chiles, roasted red peppers, and spices. You’ll find it in the condiment aisle or the International aisle of most grocery stores. And it generally comes in both mild and spicy varieties.

If you have a spicy harissa paste, start with just one tablespoon and add more as needed to suit your tastes. If you have a mild harissa, you’ll probably need 2-3 tablespoons.

As a substitute garlic chili paste, sriracha, hot sauce, or salsa may be used. The flavors will obviously change a bit based on which option you choose, but all will bring a spicy kick of heat.

Orange ~ A little citrus juice brings a touch of tang to the sauce. I like orange paired with the peppers, but lemon juice or lime juice will also work.

Sweetener ~ This is an optional ingredient. I find the orange juice adds enough sweetness. If you use lemon or lime juice instead of orange, you may need a teaspoon or two of pure maple syrup to balance the flavors.

Garlic and salt ~ For flavor. Adjust as needed.

Add all ingredients to a bowl (1) and stir well until combined and smooth (2).

Storage

Meal prep: You can make this sauce ahead of time. It will keep for up to a week in the fridge.

Fridge: Store leftover harissa yogurt sauce in an airtight container, like a mason jar, in the fridge for up to a week.

Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing it.

Serving suggestions

As a dip: The first time I made this spicy yogurt sauce, I devoured it with tortilla chips. You could also dunk pretzels, pita slices, crackers, fries, or raw vegetables.

As a sauce: I love pairing this sauce with roasted cauliflower steaks. It would also be a great accompaniment for burgers, black bean patties, potato fritters, grain bowls, roasted carrots, or baked tofu.

As a drizzle: Use it garnish and add a little extra oomph to tostadas, tacos, chickpea scramble, avocado toast, mushroom toast, or burrito bowls.

Pro tips and tricks

~ If your harissa paste is spicy (most brands will say on the label if it’s spicy or mild) start with just one tablespoon and adjust as needed after tasting.

~ If your harissa paste is mild, you may need 2 to 3 tablespoons.

~ If you use orange juice, you probably won’t need any sweetener. If you use lemon or lime juice instead, you may need a teaspoon or two of pure maple syrup to balance the flavors.

~ Always taste and adjust the seasoning to your tastes!

FAQs