Substitutions / harissa
What to use instead of harissa
Use sriracha in equal amounts. Hotter and more vinegary, without the smoky depth or cumin notes harissa brings.
Every option, best first
| Use instead | How much | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Sriracha | 1:1 | Hotter and more vinegary, without the smoky depth or cumin notes harissa brings. |
| Chili garlic sauce | 1:1 | Similar heat and texture but lacks the warm spice complexity; add a pinch of cumin and smoked paprika if you have them. |
| Chipotle in adobo | 1:1 | Smokier and slightly sweeter; blend or mince it first, and expect a different flavor profile than North African harissa. |
How much is a cup of harissa?
Substituting by volume and weighing are different problems, and the second one has an exact answer. Weigh harissa in grams →
A word on how to read these
A substitution is a trade, not an equivalence. The ratio gets the quantity right; the third column is the part worth reading, because it tells you what you are giving up. In a stew, most of these are invisible. In a cake — where flour, liquid, fat and leavening are in a fixed relationship — the same swap can change the crumb.
Why baking notices and stew doesn't →
Where these came from
These substitutions were written by Gather's own kitchen model — the same one the app uses when you tap an ingredient and ask what else would work — then checked and saved as a fixed list in July 2026. Nothing on this page is generated while you read it. They are a good starting point and not a substitute for tasting as you go.