Harissa-Spiced Yogurt Dressing for Salads and Grilled Veggies

With just seven easy-to-find ingredients, this spicy harissa yogurt dressing is creamy, tangy, and ready in minutes.

Why you’ll love it

• Bold, spicy flavor from harissa that brightens every bite.
• Rich, creamy texture thanks to Greek yogurt and olive oil.
• Ready in about three minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.
• Extremely versatile: use it on salads, bowls, sandwiches, and more.

Serving ideas

This vibrant dressing works well for:

• Chunky chopped salads and simple green salads.
• Buddha bowls, grain bowls, or burrito bowls.
• Drizzling over grilled cheese or pizza for a spicy finish.
• Tossing with leftover cooked potatoes for a quick spicy potato salad.
• Dressing pasta or using as a dip for potato wedges and raw vegetables.
• Adding to wraps with tomatoes, mozzarella, and spinach.

Ingredients and substitutions

There are seven straightforward ingredients. Below are recommended substitutions if you’re short on something, but following the original ingredients will give the best balance of flavor and texture.

Harissa: Use a harissa paste you enjoy and that has some heat. If your paste is mild, add it in larger amounts or include a pinch of cayenne to reach your preferred spiciness. Brands vary in heat level, so taste as you go.

Olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil is preferred for flavor and richness. You can reduce the amount for fewer calories, but the dressing will be less silky. Other oils will change the taste, so stick with olive oil if possible.

Garlic: Fresh garlic is best—use a medium to large clove, crushed. If needed, substitute 1 teaspoon garlic paste or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.

Honey: Agave nectar or light corn syrup can replace honey. Avoid maple syrup, which clashes with these flavors.

Lemon juice: Use fresh lemon juice. If unavailable, lime juice is an acceptable substitute.

Salt: Adjust to taste; low- or no-sodium salt can be used for dietary needs.

Greek yogurt: Thick full-fat unsweetened Greek yogurt gives the creamiest mouthfeel. You can use light Greek yogurt or another thick natural yogurt if preferred, though texture and richness will differ slightly.

How to make it

This dressing comes together in two simple steps:

1. Crush the garlic and add it to a bowl with the remaining ingredients.
2. Whisk, blend briefly, or shake in a screw-top jar until smooth and emulsified.

Taste and adjust seasoning. If you want more heat, add extra harissa a little at a time. Serve immediately or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to five days. The oil may separate as it rests—whisk or shake the jar before using to re-emulsify. If the dressing thickens in the refrigerator, thin it with a little water and whisk to reach the desired consistency.

This recipe makes just over one cup of dressing—enough for about four large salads, so it’s great for meal prep.

Equipment notes

Helpful tools:

• Garlic press or a knife to mince the garlic.
• Small or medium mixing bowl, or a screw-top jar for shaking.
• Small whisk, immersion blender, or regular blender to emulsify.

Expert tips

• Make and store the dressing in a screw-top jar to reduce cleanup and make it easy to shake if it separates.
• If you don’t have a garlic press, finely mince the garlic, sprinkle a little salt on it, and press it into a paste with the back of a spoon or use a mortar and pestle.
• Adjust harissa and lemon to balance heat and acidity to your taste.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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📖 Recipe

Yield: 1 cup (enough for four large salads)

Spicy Yogurt Dressing with Harissa

Whip up this tangy, creamy, spicy harissa yogurt dressing in minutes and drizzle it over everything.

Prep Time
3 minutes

Total Time
3 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 clove garlic
• ½ cup plus 2 Tablespoons Greek yogurt (5.3 oz / 150 g)
• 4 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons harissa paste
• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 teaspoons honey
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Crush the garlic and add the other ingredients to a bowl or jar.
2. Whisk, blend briefly, or shake in a screw-top jar until smooth and emulsified into a pale orange dressing.
3. Serve right away or cover and refrigerate for up to five days. Re-whisk or shake before using.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

¼ cup

Amount Per Serving
Calories 165
Total Fat 15g
Saturated Fat 2g
Trans Fat 0g
Unsaturated Fat 12g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 383mg
Carbohydrates 7g
Fiber 1g
Sugar 5g
Protein 1g