Moroccan Harissa Roasted Vegetables

Harissa roasted vegetables bring the warmth of North African-style cooking to a simple traybake side dish. Chunky aubergine, courgette, red pepper and red onion roast until soft in the centre and caramelised at the edges, with harissa adding chilli heat, garlic depth and a savoury spice note. Cumin and ground coriander reinforce the earthy flavour, while lemon keeps the finish bright rather than heavy. Serve warm alongside grains, couscous, flatbreads or grilled mains, or let the vegetables cool to room temperature for a flexible make-ahead side.
Cuisine style Moroccan-inspired vegetable side
Spice level Medium
Cooking style Meal prep friendly • Make-ahead friendly • Minimal cleanup
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Bold seasoning: Harissa brings chilli depth while cumin and coriander add warm, earthy spice without needing a long cooking process.
  • Good roasted edges: Cutting the vegetables into chunky pieces and spreading them in a single layer helps them brown at the edges instead of steaming.
  • Fresh finish: Lemon juice added after roasting lifts the sweetness of the vegetables and balances the richness of the olive oil.

Get the most out of this recipe

Adjust the heat

  • For gentler heat: Use less harissa at the start, then add a little more after roasting if the vegetables need extra warmth.
  • For more heat: Choose a hotter harissa or add an extra spoonful to the coating before roasting.
  • To soften the chilli: Serve with cooling sides such as yoghurt, hummus or a simple grain salad to balance the spice.

Texture tips

  • Avoid steaming the vegetables: Use a large baking tray and keep the pieces in a single layer so moisture can escape as they roast.
  • Build deeper browning: Turn the vegetables once halfway through roasting, then leave them undisturbed so the edges can caramelise.

Make-ahead tips

  • Prep ahead: The vegetables can be cut and the harissa coating mixed in advance, then tossed together just before roasting.
  • Reheat for best texture: Reheat on a baking tray at 200°C (390°F) until piping hot rather than microwaving, which can soften the roasted edges.
  • Best texture timing: The vegetables are at their crispest on the day they are roasted, but leftovers keep well and can also be served at room temperature.

Serving ideas

  • With grains: Serve over couscous, bulgur or rice to turn the vegetables into a more substantial plate.
  • With a cooling sauce: Pair with yoghurt sauce, tahini dressing or hummus to contrast the harissa heat.
  • Fresh finish: Add coriander just before serving so it stays bright and fresh against the roasted vegetables.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
Print
  1. Heat the oven to 220°C (430°F). Cut the aubergine and courgette into chunky bite-size pieces, and cut the red pepper into similar-sized pieces. Cut the red onion into thick wedges.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the harissa, olive oil, ground cumin, ground coriander, fine sea salt and black pepper. Add the vegetables and toss until evenly coated. Tip onto a baking tray and spread into a single layer.
  3. Roast for 30 to 35 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the vegetables are tender and deeply browned at the edges. If the tray looks crowded, spread the vegetables out more so they roast rather than steam. Remove from the oven and let sit for 2 minutes.
  4. Finely chop the fresh coriander. Squeeze the lemon over the hot vegetables and toss gently on the tray. Scatter over the coriander and serve warm or at room temperature.

Made this recipe? Rate it — a comment is optional.

Recipe notes

Tips

  • Cut the vegetables to a similar size so they roast evenly and caramelise at the same time.
  • For the best crisp edges, keep the vegetables in a single layer with a little space between pieces.
  • If you are serving this to children or anyone sensitive to heat, start with half the harissa and add more to taste after roasting.

Substitutions

  • Replace Harissa with Sweet chili sauce for a milder, sweeter finish.
  • Replace Red pepper with Yellow pepper for a slightly sweeter flavour.
  • Replace Fresh coriander with Fresh parsley if you prefer a less distinctive herb note.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 4 days
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat on a baking tray at 200°C (390°F) for 10 to 15 minutes until piping hot, or enjoy at room temperature. Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Ratings & reviews

Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.

Tried this recipe?

Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.

If you leave a comment, use 10–500 characters.

Stay inspired

Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.

Moroccan Harissa Roasted Vegetables
Image by JustRecipes
Pinterest

Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 50min (15min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Moroccan
Beginner friendly Freezer friendly Kid friendly

Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.

Add to meal planner

Equipment you'll need

Advertisement

Recommended tools for this recipe

Best overall

KitchenAid Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls

Non-slip steel set
  • Non-slip base
  • Stainless steel
  • Not microwave safe

Got ingredients left?

Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.

Find recipes with these ingredients →

Make this recipe easier next time

Advertisement

These tools help you get better results with less effort.

Best overall

KitchenAid Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls

Non-slip steel set
  • Non-slip base
  • Stainless steel
  • Not microwave safe
Best value

Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls with Lids

Microwave-safe glass
  • Microwave safe
  • BPA-free lids
  • Glass is heavier
Top quality

OXO Good Grips Stainless Mixing Bowl Set

Insulated grip bowls
  • Non-slip base
  • Comfort grip
  • Higher price

Browse alphabetically

Looking for a specific recipe? Choose a letter below to jump directly to recipes starting with that letter or number.

Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?

Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.

Add JustRecipes to Google

Every recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.