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Sun Lion

Sun Lion Harissa brings the authentic Tunisian flavor to American tables. Founded in 2012 by Riadh Zghal, Sun Lion aims to share the intense yet balanced heat of harissa with those who have not experienced this quintessential Tunisian condiment.

About Sun Lion

Sun Lion Harissa brings the authentic taste of North Africa to American kitchens. Founded in 2020 by Moroccan chef Youssef Amrani, the company is on a mission to share the unique flavors and aromas of harissa with a wider audience.

Harissa is a traditional North African chili pepper paste that acts as a versatile condiment and cooking ingredient across Moroccan, Tunisian, and Algerian cuisines. Made from a blend of hot chilies, garlic, olive oil, spices like caraway and coriander, and often tomatoes, harissa adds a kick of heat and depth of flavor to everything it touches.

Chef Youssef grew up cooking with harissa in his hometown of Marrakech. After moving to the United States, he was disappointed by the lack of authentic harissa options available locally. Determined to reproduce the harissa of his childhood from high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients, Youssef launched Sun Lion Harissa.

Sun Lion’s harissa comes in three unique flavor varieties: Original, Rose, and Green Chili. Customers praise the well-balanced heat and tangy flavors in the Original, the floral aroma of the Rose, and the extra fiery punch of the Green Chili. All three deliver the complex, slow burn that characterizes true Moroccan harissa.

The most popular products right now

Sun Lion Harissa 14 oz

North Africa’s most loved condiment, harissa is a thick and smooth but slightly grainy chili paste, made with fresh red chilies, spices like caraway, cumin and coriander.

Sun Lion Red Zhug

Though it’s a staple of Israeli cuisine, zhug (also spelled s’chug, and pronounced s-ch-oog with a uvular “ch”) was actually invented by Yemeni Jews, who later brought their recipes to Israel.

Sun Lion Red Shatta

Shatta is a famous hot sauce in kitchens and cafes throughout the Middle East. Shatta basically means “Red” in Arabic but can be green or red depending on the regional recipe. 

Why Choose Sun Lion

Quality Ingredients

Sun Lion uses quality ingredients like fire-roasted red peppers, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and hand ground spices. You can taste the fresh, authentic flavors in every jar. Sun Lion's harissa has a balanced complexity and depth of flavor.

Variety of Heat Levels

Sun Lion offers harissa in mild, medium, hot, and extra hot, so you can choose the right level for your tastes. Sun Lion lets you control the heat.

Convenient Packaging

The harissa comes in a squeeze bottle to easily add to recipes. No need to mess with a jar. The packaging makes it simple to flavor soups, stews, eggs, meat, fish and more.

Family Recipe

Sun Lion uses a traditional family recipe that has been perfected over generations. It brings an authentic homemade flavor.

No Artificial Ingredients

Sun Lion's harissa has no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. It's made from simple, natural ingredients.

Great Value

You get high quality at an affordable price. Sun Lion offers great value for authentic harissa flavor. With its authentic taste, variety, convenience and value, Sun Lion Harissa is a top choice. Give it a try to bring flavorful North African cuisine to your table.

Hear what customers say

I absolutely love Sun Lion's harissa paste! I've been using it to add a kick of flavor to everything from eggs to chicken to veggies. A little really goes a long way. The flavor is incredible - it has a perfect blend of heat and amazing spices like cumin, caraway, garlic and red peppers. I've tried other harissa pastes before but Sun Lion's is by far superior in terms of flavor complexity and heat level. It really takes any dish to the next level. I use it multiple times per week to liven up boring meals. It's also great as a marinade or rub on proteins. The jar lasts a long time too. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to add some excitement to their cooking! You won't regret it.
John Smith
John Smith
Let me start by saying that I am absolutely obsessed with Sun Lion's harissa paste! As someone who loves spicy food, this stuff is a total game-changer in my kitchen. The texture is perfectly smooth and spreadable. The very first sniff instantly tells you that you're in for something special. On first taste, you get a big punch of heat that slowly gives way to incredible flavors like smoky paprika, vibrant cumin and warm roasted red peppers. I've used it to make shrimp tacos, chicken wings, meatballs, roasted veggies and soups. It's so versatile! A little dollop mixes into anything seamlessly and leaves behind the most addicting heat and flavor. This is hand's down the best harissa paste I've found. I won't cook without it!
Sarah Green
Sarah Green
I'm so glad I took a chance on this Sun Lion Harissa paste. I saw it while browsing Amazon and the reviews convinced me to give it a try, even though I had never used harissa before. This stuff is amazing! The combination of spices is incredible and gives dishes a depth of flavor that I haven't tasted with other hot sauces or seasonings. I smeared it on chicken before grilling and the smoky, aromatic flavors really made the meat pop. My favorite way to eat it is stirred into eggs in the morning. It adds the perfect amount of heat and complexity to wake your palate up. I even dolloped it on top of hummus for an awesome tangy, spicy kick. If you're on the fence, take the leap and try this harissa! It's the best I've found and so versatile. I'm hooked!
Michael Johnson
Michael Johnson
I'll be honest, I had never even heard of harissa until I tried Sun Lion's version. Now I'm absolutely hooked! With just a small amount, this paste infuses huge bold flavors into any dish. I use it to add some fire to potatoes, eggs, rice, you name it. But it's so much more than just heat. You get this symphony of earthy cumin, sweet roasted peppers and zesty garlic all in perfect balance. I love ethnic foods and cuisines from around the world, and this Tunisian harissa makes me feel like an expert chef with almost no effort. It's also convenient because a little goes a long way. The jar lasts forever. If you're looking to expand your palette and add some adventure to familiar foods, do yourself a favor and try Sun Lion Harissa. You'll never cook the same again!
Jessica White
Jessica White
I'm generally skeptical of specialty food products on Amazon, but Sun Lion's Harissa paste far exceeded my expectations. The combination of chilies and spices is downright addictive - I use this stuff on everything now! The flavor profile is incredibly complex. You get heat from the chilies then it's balanced out by earthy cumin, sharp garlic and tangy tomato. The paste itself is smooth and easy to incorporate into any dish. I've mainly been using it as a rub on chicken and lamb before grilling. It creates an unbelievably moist and tender texture with a spicy, crispy crust on the outside. Eggs and veggies also benefit from some harissa love. I'm hooked on this stuff - it makes boring food exciting and adds that perfect level of heat and flavor. Don't hesitate to order some Sun Lion Harissa - just make sure you're ready to step up your cooking!
David Anderson
David Anderson

FAQs

Sun Lion Harissa is a traditional North African hot chili pepper paste made by Sun Lion. It is made from roasted red peppers, serrano peppers, spices like caraway as well as garlic, olive oil and salt. It can be used to add heat and flavor to dishes.

Sun Lion Harissa provides a nice level of heat that is not overpowering. It rates around 5,000 Scoville heat units, so it has a moderate level of spiciness. People who like some spice will enjoy it, but those who do not like very hot food can still handle it.

Sun Lion Harissa is a versatile ingredient used in North African and Middle Eastern cooking. It can be used in tagines, couscous dishes, with eggs at breakfast, mixed into dips and more. It also works well in Mediterranean diet cooking.

Some ideas for using Sun Lion Harissa include spreading it on sandwiches, mixing it into dressings and dips, adding it to soups and stews for heat and flavor, using as a rub on meats before grilling or roasting, and stirring into rice or vegetable dishes. It can also be thinned with olive oil to make a spicy drizzle for dishes.

Yes, Sun Lion Harissa is certified gluten-free, so it can be enjoyed by those following a gluten-free diet. It contains no wheat, barley, rye or other gluten-containing ingredients.

Sun Lion Harissa is vegetarian and vegan friendly, containing no animal products or byproducts. It’s a good option for plant-based diets.

Sun Lion Harissa contains fire roasted red peppers, serrano peppers, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, caraway, coriander, cumin, salt, citric acid and chili pepper. So it has a simple, all-natural ingredient list.

Unopened jars of Sun Lion Harissa can be stored in a cool, dry place like the pantry. Once opened, it’s best stored in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. It will keep for several months refrigerated.

Sun Lion Harissa is handcrafted and bottled in the United States using high-quality imported spices and ingredients. Sun Lion takes pride in making authentic, artisanal harissa.

Sun Lion Harissa can be used to add flavor and heat to hummus, shakshuka, North African tagines, chili, soups, pasta sauces, sandwiches, meat rubs and more. It’s a versatile ingredient for spicing up meals.