Harissa Salmon Recipe | 30 Mins or Less

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For me, there’s something incredibly satisfying about pairing rich, flaky salmon with bold spices. And when you bring homemade harissa paste into the mix with its smoky, spicy, tangy and aromatic flavours, you’ve got yourself a showstopper of a dish that’s easy enough for weeknights but impressive enough for dinner guests. In this post I’m going to show you one of my favourite ways to cook this dish along with alternative methods you might like.

A Little Background on Harissa

Harissa originates from Tunisia but is popular across North Africa and the Middle East. The traditional paste is made with dried red chillies, garlic, spices, olive oil, and sometimes tomato or roasted red peppers. Every family or region has its own twist. some versions are fiery and raw, others slightly sweeter and smoky.

You can buy jars of harissa in most supermarkets these days, but making it fresh at home takes it to another level. Not only do you control the spice level, but you also get a paste that’s brighter, fresher, and more aromatic. You might like to try my harissa paste recipe here! That harissa paste is also amazing used as a marinade and sauce for this harissa chicken by the way!

Ingredients

Fresh ingredients are key to getting the best flavour from this harissa salmon recipe. You’ll find my ingredients listed below. The actual ingredient amounts are in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

See recipe card for quantities.

Salmon
Harissa paste
Honey
Olive oil
Garlic
Ground ginger
Ground cumin
Ground coriander
Limes
Aleppo chilli powder

Step by step photos

Below, you’ll see step-by-step photographs to guide you through this harissa salmon recipe. At the bottom of the page, you’ll also find the full recipe card, which includes the complete list of ingredients and written instructions in an easy, printable format.

The harissa paste in a bowl with the garlic, olive oil, honey, lime juice, Aleppo pepper, coriander, cumin and ground ginger.

Step 1: Place the harissa paste in a bowl with the garlic, olive oil, honey, lime juice, Aleppo pepper, coriander, cumin and ground ginger.

Whisking these ingredients together until smooth and well combined

Step 2: Whisk these ingredients together until smooth and well combined

Spreading the harissa paste under and over the salmon on the foil

Step 3: Rub the harissa mixture all over the salmon and place on a piece of foil. Wrap the salmon in the foil and place in a pre-heated oven at 180°C/385°F for 20 to 25 minutes.

The salmon cooked to your liking sliced on a serving platter.

Step 4: Check for doneness at the end of cooking and when you are happy with it, transfer to a serving platter to slice into portions.

Harissa salmon on a serving plate with side salad

Step 5: Enjoy with a side salad, crusty bread or even pasta.

Variations of Harissa Salmon

The beauty of this recipe is how versatile it is. Here are some variations to keep things exciting:

1. Grilled Harissa Salmon

Brush salmon with harissa oil and grill over medium-high heat for a smoky, charred version.

2. Pan-Seared Harissa Salmon

Cook salmon in a hot skillet with a splash of oil. Finish with a spoonful of harissa butter for richness.

3. Harissa Honey Salmon

Mix 1 tbsp honey into the marinade for a sweet-spicy glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven.

4. Harissa Yogurt Salmon

Blend harissa paste with Greek yogurt for a creamy marinade. This helps keep salmon extra moist.

5. Sheet Pan Harissa Salmon Dinner

Bake salmon with chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, and red onion tossed in harissa and olive oil. A complete meal in one tray.

6. Harissa Salmon Bowls

Serve harissa salmon over rice, quinoa, or bulgur with roasted vegetables and tahini drizzle for a wholesome meal.

Useful Equipment

You don’t need much to make harissa salmon, but a few tools make things easier:

Baking tray with parchment paper – prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
Sharp knife – for trimming salmon and slicing lemon wedges.
Mixing bowls – to prepare the marinade.
Pastry brush or spoon – for coating salmon with harissa mixture.
Cast-iron skillet – perfect for pan-searing if you prefer.
Instant-read thermometer – ensures salmon is perfectly cooked (internal temperature should be 50–52°C / 122–125°F for medium).

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Storage

Refrigerator: Cooked harissa salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Wrap fillets tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Oven: Preheat to 150°C (300°F), place salmon in a baking dish with a splash of water or broth, cover loosely with foil, and warm for 10–12 minutes.
Microwave: Not recommended but you can heat gently in short bursts at 50% power to avoid drying out.
Skillet: Reheat in a covered pan over low heat with a splash of olive oil.

Pro Tips

Don’t overcook the salmon – It only needs 12–15 minutes. Overcooked salmon becomes dry.
Marinate if you have time – Even 30 minutes in the harissa mixture before baking will intensify the flavour.
Balance the spice – A touch of honey or maple syrup keeps the heat from overwhelming the salmon.
Use fresh salmon if possible – The texture and flavour are unbeatable.
Let it rest – Give the salmon 2–3 minutes to rest after baking before serving. This keeps it juicy.

Top Tip

Cold is Delicious! Harissa salmon is delicious cold, flaked into salads, sandwiches, or grain bowls, so you don’t always need to reheat it.

FAQ

Can you use shop-bought harissa paste instead of homemade?

Yes! Just taste it first, as shop-bought pastes vary in spice and salt levels. I do hope you try mine though because I think you’ll love it.

How spicy is this harissa salmon?

It depends on the chillies used in your paste. I like it quite spicy so used red bullet chillies in the paste but you could even use red bell peppers with maybe only a small spicy red chilli if you prefer a milder version

Can I use frozen salmon?

Yes, just defrost thoroughly and pat it dry before adding the harissa marinade. Fresh is always best though. So use fresh salmon if you can.

Is this dish healthy?

This harissa salmon is a very heathy dish. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and protein, while harissa adds flavour without heavy creams or fats.

Looking for more delicious salmon recipes? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:

Have you tried this harissa salmon recipe?

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Yield: 4

Harissa Salmon

This harissa salmon is a family favourite at our house. It is the perfect weekday meal and is also quite impressive to serve to guests at the weekend. Enjoy.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

850g Side of salmon
3 to 5 tbsp harissa paste
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
Juice of two limes plus more lime wedges to serve
1 tsp Aleppo chilli powder

Instructions

Place the harissa paste in a bowl with the garlic, olive oil, honey, lime juice, Aleppo pepper, coriander, cumin and ground ginger.
Whisk these ingredients together until smooth and well combined
Rub the harissa mixture all over the salmon and place on a piece of foil. Wrap the salmon in the foil and place in a pre-heated oven at 180°C/385°F for 20 to 25 minutes.
Check for doneness at the end of cooking and when you are happy with it, transfer to a serving platter to slice into portions.
Enjoy with a side salad, crusty bread or even pasta.