Harissa Potato Salad with Yoghurt and Tahini

Fancy a fresh twist on a classic side dish? This easy Harissa Potato Salad with Tahini and Yoghurt is bursting with bold flavours, a creamy texture, and a gentle kick of heat. It’s the perfect addition to barbecues, picnics, or a laid-back lunch at home.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Harissa Potato Salad

Unlike traditional mayonnaise-based potato salads, this version gets its creaminess from a mixture of tahini and yoghurt, balanced with the smoky heat of harissa paste. The result? A flavour-packed, nutritious side that feels both comforting and fresh.

Whether you’re after a veggie-packed salad, a make-ahead lunchbox option, or something different to serve at your next gathering, this spicy potato salad hits all the right notes.

The Recipe

It’s so, so easy. This is what we’ll be doing:

1. Scrub and halve the potatoes (if they are big).
2. Cook the potatoes (10 – 15 minutes).
3. While the potatoes are cooking, we make the tahini yoghurt dressing.
4. Mix it all up and serve.

Easy, right? All done under 30 minutes!

Ingredients

Our harissa potato salad uses basic ingredients: potatoes, harissa, tahini and yoghurt are the main ones.

Both harissa and tahini should be easily available in mainstream supermarkets these days, and most definitely in shops specialising in MIddle Eastern and Mediterranean products.

Failing that, you’ll find homemade recipes for both here on LinsFood.

How to make Harissa, a North African Chilli Paste

Harissa is the ubiquitous chilli condiment found all across North Africa, easily made at home.

Get the Recipe!

Homemade Tahini Recipe

Tahini is a paste made with sesame seeds and oil, popular in the Middle East, Turkey, Greece and parts of North Africa. It is of course a dip on its own but is also a basic ingredient in popular recipes such as hummus and baba ghanoush.

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How to Serve Harissa Potato Salad

This salad is incredibly versatile. Here are a few serving ideas:

• As a side dish: Pairs beautifully with grilled meats, halloumi, or roasted vegetables.
• As a main: Add chickpeas or lentils for extra protein and serve over leafy greens.
• In a wrap or sandwich: A flavour-packed alternative to plain fillings.
• On a sharing platter: Serve as part of a mezze-style spread with hummus, olives, and warm flatbread.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

This Middle Eastern potato salad tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge as the flavours develop over time. Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 3 days. Perfect for packed lunches or quick dinners.

It will be find out of the fridge for up to 8 hours.

Customise Your Potato Salad

Want to make it your own? Here are some optional twists:

• Add roasted red peppers or sundried tomatoes for a Mediterranean vibe.
• Use vegan yoghurt to make it dairy-free and for a vegan potato salad.
• Swap tahini for almond butter for a slightly sweeter, nutty flavour.
• Top with pomegranate seeds for a pop of sweetness and colour.

There you go. This Harissa Potato Salad with Tahini and Yoghurt is proof that simple ingredients can deliver seriously bold flavours.

Whether you’re planning a summer picnic, a weekday meal prep, or a flavour-packed side for your next BBQ, this salad will definitely impress. Let’s get cooking!