Roast salmon becomes a standout summer meal with just one ingredient: harissa paste. A chef from Delish has shared an easy recipe that turns the fish into a spicy, flavourful dish in under 30 minutes.
What Is Harissa Paste?
According to the Mediterranean Dish, harissa paste is a North African red chile paste made from chiles, garlic, olive oil, citrus, and spices. It is slightly sweet, smoky, tangy, and spicy. Widely available in supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury's for under £2, it adds depth to any dish.
The Recipe: Harissa Roasted Salmon
The chef at Delish commented: "I fell in love with harissa roasted salmon when developing my recipe for everything bagel crusted salmon, and this version is even simpler, coming together in a single skillet in the oven with only five minutes of prep."
They added: "To make this low-lift, 25-minute dinner main, salmon fillets are dusted with cumin and paprika, rubbed with spicy harissa paste, and roasted alongside cherry tomatoes, shallots, and garlic, then topped with fresh dill and creamy feta."
Ingredients
- Four skinless salmon fillets
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 2 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt (divided)
- 1 tablespoon harissa paste
- 1 shallot
- 3 garlic cloves
- 8 ounces cherry tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (divided)
- 2 tablespoons crumbled feta or goat cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
Method
Place an oven rack in the centre and a large stainless steel or cast-iron skillet on it. Preheat the oven to 230°C.
Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with cumin, paprika, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of kosher salt. Spread harissa paste over one side of each fillet.
Finely chop the shallot and thinly slice the garlic. In a medium bowl, combine shallot, garlic, and tomatoes. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, season with remaining salt, and toss to coat.
Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil into it. Arrange salmon fillets harissa-side up, then scatter the tomato mixture around the fish.
Return the skillet to the oven and bake for 9–11 minutes. Remove and sprinkle with crumbled feta or goat cheese and fresh dill.
