If you’re looking for a dish that’s vibrant, wholesome, and bursting with bold flavors, you’re about to fall in love with this Harissa Tofu Salad. It brings together golden, spicy-roasted tofu cubes, crisp colorful veggies, and a refreshing lemony dressing all in one stunning bowl. Each bite is a celebration of color, texture, and craveable heat, making this salad a true standout for lunches, dinners, or as a show-stopping potluck offering.

Harissa Tofu Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering these ingredients is a breeze, and each one truly shines here! The combination of tangy, spicy, sweet, and herbaceous notes brings this Harissa Tofu Salad to life, while the veggies and tofu keep things satisfying and nourishing.

Firm tofu: Essential for hearty bites; pressing it helps achieve the perfect crispiness when roasted.
Olive oil: Adds a luscious base for the harissa marinade and brings extra richness to the greens.
Harissa paste: The star of the show, delivering smoky, fiery North African-inspired flavor.
Honey or maple syrup: Balances out the heat of the harissa with a delicate touch of sweetness.
Smoked paprika: Layers in deep, earthy flavor and reinforces the smokiness from the harissa.
Mixed salad greens: Provides crunchy freshness and creates a beautiful base for all the toppings.
Cherry tomatoes: Bursting with juiciness and color for extra vibrance in every bite.
Cucumber: Adds cooling crunch that contrasts the warmth of the tofu.
Red onion: Delivers a touch of sharpness and plenty of visual appeal.
Kalamata olives: Salty and briny, they pop against the sweetness of the tomatoes and spiciness of the tofu.
Fresh parsley: Finishes the salad with herby brightness.
Lemon juice: Lifts all the flavors with a tart, citrusy kiss.
Salt and pepper: Essential for bringing out and balancing all the other flavors.

How to Make Harissa Tofu Salad

Step 1: Prep and Marinate the Tofu

Begin by pressing your tofu to remove as much excess moisture as you can—this ensures it crisps up beautifully in the oven. Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes and place them in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, harissa paste, honey or maple syrup, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt. Toss everything gently until the tofu is evenly coated with the fiery, aromatic marinade. For even deeper flavor, you can let it marinate for up to 30 minutes, but even a quick toss infuses the cubes with plenty of personality.

Step 2: Roast the Harissa Tofu

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Arrange the marinated tofu cubes in a single layer, making sure they’re not crowded—this helps them roast rather than steam. Pop the tray in the oven and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping the tofu halfway through, until each piece is golden, a little crispy on the edges, and absolutely irresistible.

Step 3: Prep the Salad Bowl

While the tofu is roasting, grab a large salad bowl and toss in your mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, kalamata olives, and fresh parsley. Drizzle everything with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and squeeze over the juice of half a lemon. Season lightly with salt and pepper, and toss gently to create a gorgeous, colorful base just begging to be topped with that spicy tofu.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

Once the tofu is hot and crispy, pile it on top of your dressed greens. Serve the Harissa Tofu Salad immediately for maximum contrast between the warm, fragrant tofu and the crisp, cool vegetables. Each bite will reward you with crunch, heat, and zingy freshness.

How to Serve Harissa Tofu Salad

Garnishes

Finish your Harissa Tofu Salad with an extra sprinkle of chopped parsley for a fresh pop of color. If you want to add even more pizzazz, scatter some toasted sesame seeds, a little crumbled vegan feta, or a handful of pomegranate seeds for brightness that’ll dazzle your eyes and tastebuds alike.

Side Dishes

This salad pairs beautifully with warm pita bread, a scoop of fluffy couscous, or a simple lentil soup for a satisfying, well-rounded meal. For summer picnics or larger gatherings, serve it alongside a platter of roasted veggies or a cooling yogurt dip to complement the heat of the harissa.

Creative Ways to Present

To really make your Harissa Tofu Salad the star of the table, serve it layered in a wide, shallow bowl or on a large platter so each ingredient is visible. For parties, try assembling individual salad jars or lettuce cups—the vibrant colors and spicy aroma are sure to catch everyone’s attention and invite them to dig in.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra Harissa Tofu Salad (lucky you!), store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps well for up to two days—just know that the greens may soften slightly as they soak up the dressing and spices. It’s best to keep the tofu and salad base separate for the freshest results.

Freezing

While the crisp, fresh elements of this salad don’t freeze well, the harissa roasted tofu actually does! You can freeze the tofu cubes after roasting—just lay them on a tray to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to use, thaw and reheat, then add to freshly tossed greens for a quick, spicy salad any time.

Reheating

To revive your harissa tofu, simply reheat the cubes in a preheated oven, toaster oven, or air fryer at 350°F until warmed through and re-crisped. Avoid microwaving if possible, as this can make the tofu a bit chewy. Always add the tofu to your greens just before serving to keep everything crisp and delicious.

FAQs

Is Harissa Tofu Salad spicy?

The harissa paste certainly brings a lovely kick of heat, but the overall spiciness depends on which harissa you use. You can dial it up or down by choosing mild or hot harissa, and balancing it with more or less honey or maple syrup in the marinade.

Can I make this recipe vegan and gluten-free?

Absolutely! This Harissa Tofu Salad is naturally vegan (just use maple syrup instead of honey) and gluten-free—it’s a fantastic protein-packed dish for almost any diet. Just double-check your harissa paste to make sure it’s gluten-free if needed.

What’s the best tofu texture for this salad?

Firm or extra-firm tofu is the way to go. It holds its shape in the oven, gets gorgeously crisp on the outside, and still stays tender inside. Avoid silken tofu, as it’s too delicate for roasting.

Can I prepare the components ahead of time?

Definitely! Roast the tofu in advance and chop the veggies up to a day ahead. Wait to toss everything together (especially with the dressing) until just before serving, so the greens stay fresh and perky.

What type Main Course, Salad

Both traditional North African or Middle Eastern harissa pastes work beautifully. Try a smoky or spicy version based on your taste—if you’re new to harissa, start with a mild one and add more to suit your spice level comfort.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something irresistible about Harissa Tofu Salad: it’s colorful, nourishing, and bold in the very best way. If you’re craving a meal that’s as uplifting to the eyes as it is to the tastebuds, don’t wait—gather your ingredients and give this recipe a whirl. You’ll be adding it to your regular rotation in no time!

Harissa Tofu Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 5 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegan, Gluten-Free

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Description

This Harissa Tofu Salad recipe combines the heat of harissa-marinated tofu with a refreshing mix of salad greens and veggies, creating a flavorful and satisfying vegan meal option.

Ingredients

Scale

Tofu:

14 ounces firm tofu, pressed and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons harissa paste
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Salad:

5 cups mixed salad greens
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, sliced
½ red onion, thinly sliced
¼ cup pitted Kalamata olives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
juice of ½ lemon
salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Marinate tofu: In a bowl, toss tofu cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, harissa paste, honey or maple syrup, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt.
Roast tofu: Spread tofu on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast for 25–30 minutes until golden and slightly crisp, turning halfway.
Prepare salad: In a large bowl, combine salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, and parsley.
Dress salad: Drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and lemon juice, season with salt and pepper.
Assemble: Top salad with warm harissa tofu and serve immediately.

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate tofu in the harissa mixture for 30 minutes before roasting.
You can make this salad heartier by adding cooked quinoa or couscous.
Use mild or hot harissa depending on your spice preference.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course, Salad
Method: Roasting, Tossing
Cuisine: North African-Inspired