🍯 Sauces & Condiments

Aji Amarillo Paste vs Harissa: Can You Substitute One for the Other?

Compare aji amarillo paste and harissa paste. Learn if you can substitute one for the other, the key differences in flavor and heat, and how to adapt recipes when switching between these two chili pastes.

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Quick Answer

Harissa can work as a substitute for aji amarillo paste in a pinch, but they have different flavor profiles. Harissa is smoky and earthy while aji amarillo is fruity and sweet. If using harissa as a substitute, add a touch of honey or sugar to balance the flavor.

Best Substitutes

Harissa Paste

1:1

North African chili paste with similar heat level but different flavor profile - smoky and earthy vs. fruity and sweet

Best for:

when you want similar heat levelfusion dishessauces and marinadesemergency substitutions

Harissa has similar heat level (30,000-50,000 SHU) but different flavor. It's smoky and earthy while aji amarillo is fruity and sweet. Works in a pinch but will change the dish's flavor profile significantly.

Harissa + Honey/Sugar

1:1 harissa + 1/2 tsp honey

Harissa paste with added sweetness to better match aji amarillo's fruity profile

Best for:

when you want to balance harissa's smoky flavorcloser flavor matchsauces and marinadesPeruvian-inspired dishes

Add a touch of honey or sugar to harissa to balance the smoky flavor and make it closer to aji amarillo's fruity sweetness. This works better than plain harissa as a substitute.

Yellow Bell Pepper + Habanero

1:1

Better substitute than harissa - provides both heat and fruity sweetness like aji amarillo

Best for:

authentic Peruvian disheswhen you want closer flavor matchtraditional recipessauces and marinades

This is a better substitute than harissa because it provides both heat and fruity sweetness. Use 3 parts yellow bell pepper to 1 part habanero for best results.

Hungarian Wax Peppers

1:1

Yellow-orange peppers with similar heat level and fruity flavor to aji amarillo

Best for:

Peruvian disheswhen you want similar heat and flavorsaucesmarinades

Hungarian wax peppers have a similar heat level and fruity flavor to aji amarillo. This is a better substitute than harissa for authentic Peruvian dishes.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Harissa and aji amarillo paste have similar heat levels but very different flavor profiles
  • 💡Harissa is smoky and earthy while aji amarillo is fruity and sweet
  • 💡If using harissa as a substitute, add honey or sugar to balance the smoky flavor
  • 💡For authentic Peruvian dishes, yellow bell pepper + habanero is a better substitute than harissa
  • 💡Harissa works better in fusion dishes or when you want to change the flavor profile
  • 💡Both pastes are used in small amounts - a little goes a long way
  • 💡Harissa is more commonly used in North African and Middle Eastern cuisine
  • 💡Aji amarillo is essential for authentic Peruvian dishes like lomo saltado and aji de gallina

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Compare aji amarillo paste and harissa paste. Learn if you can substitute one for the other, the key differences in flavor and heat, and how to adapt recipes when switching between these two chili pastes.