Sumac Onions (10 minute Turkish Onion Salad)

Name: Sumac Onions (10 minute Turkish Onion Salad)
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 large red onion; 2 teaspoons sumac; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; Handful fresh parsley leaves; Good pinch of salt

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These Sumac Onions are a Turkish marinated onion salad that are crisp and tangy and the perfect condiment to any dish. They take 10 minutes to make and taste amazing in sandwiches, kebabs, BBQs, and all Middle Eastern food.

I absolutely love Middle Eastern food and Turkish cuisine! When travelling to Dubai and the Middle East, you will find this condiment served at most restaurants. I love ordering sumac onions alongside mezze platters with hummus and falafels which all work so well together. I'm usually not a big fan of raw onions, but these don't have that harsh oniony taste at all. With only 5 ingredients and 10 minutes, you will have made the perfect condiment ready to go!

The superstar ingredient is the sumac which has a light citrusy taste. It helps cure the onions alongside the lemon juice and salt. The red onions are marinated in a light dressing which softens the harsh taste and gives it a light pickling, making them tangy and crisp and absolutely delicious! You can really serve them with any dish. I love adding them to sandwiches and wraps such as my falafel wrap, crispy feta egg wrap and chickpea tuna sandwich.

Having a Persian background, we also use sumac in many Persian recipes. We love topping Persian rice with sumac, especially when served with Persian kabob or also in mast o khiar which is a yogurt dip. You can also add sumac to salad dressings for the perfect tart and citrusy flavor.

The most common way that this sumac onion salad is served in Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine is alongside kebabs, shawarma, grilled meats and BBQs. This crisp Turkish onion salad lightens and freshens the flavors and cuts through the heaviness of the meat, chicken or proteins. In saying that, you can also enjoy these sumac onions with fish and seafood and many vegetarian and plant based recipes. Some of my favorites are cauliflower steaks, crispy tofu and Persian kotlet patties.

If you love onions and pickled foods, you must also try my classic quick pickle onions recipe.

Table of Contents

Why you'll love these Sumac Onions
What is Sumac?
Ingredients and Substitutions
How to make Sumac Onions
What to serve with Sumac Onions
Tips and Tricks
Storage Instructions
FAQs
More Easy Condiments
More Vegetable Sides
Recipe
Comments

Why you'll love these Sumac Onions

Quick & Easy: Ready in 10 minutes with simple steps that anyone can make
Delicious: The combination of sumac, lemon juice, olive oil and fresh parsley creates a light pickling that is so delicious
Versatile: Use these sumac onions as a side dish to so many recipes ranging from grilled meats, falafels, kebabs and sandwiches to name a few
Mediterranean Delight: Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food are crowd favorites so these flavors will please everyone at your next gathering

What is Sumac?

Sumac is a Middle Eastern spice that come from dried, ground berries of the sumac plant. They are tiny red berries that grow on a sumac bush "Rhus coriaria".

The name relates to the Arabic word "summāq" which we also have in the Persian language farsi. It translates to the word “dark red”. The sumac color itself is a dark red color, more closer to burgundy.

In terms of flavor, sumac has a tangy, lemony, citrus flavor which is slightly sour with touches of earthiness. It gives a lovely acidic freshness to foods and is very popular in Middle Eastern cuisine including Turkish, Persian, Lebanese and many other cultures. You can add it to marinades, dressings and of course these sumac onions which pair well with many recipes.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Sumac is the star of the show! Its a Middle Eastern spice with a citrusy, tart, lemony flavor that you can purchase at many supermarkets or your closest Middle Eastern store
Red onion is my preferred onion as it not only has a beautiful color, but has a lighter taste. You can however use white onions if that's what you have on hand. I take the marination a step further and soak the onions first to remove the excess harsh flavor
Lemon juice adds more acidity and freshness and also pickles the onions working in harmony with the sumac. Vinegar can be a substitute, but it will change the flavor profile slightly. Red wine vinegar is preferable
Extra virgin olive oil binds everything together and adds a touch of richness and also softens the onions even more
Fresh chopped parsley adds freshness to the flavor and color. I always recommend not to chop the parsley too finely as you will lose the taste. Chopped cilantro or mint are good substitutes
If you like spicy food, feel free to add some red pepper flakes or aleppo pepper for a little kick!

How to make Sumac Onions

Whip up these easy Turkish sumac onions in 10 minutes. Follow my simple steps below.

Cut onion into thin slices with a knife or mandolin
To reduce the onion taste, I like to soak them in a bowl of water for 10 minutes - totally optional!
Roughly chop up fresh parsley
In a bowl add onions, sumac, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and parsley. Stir until well combined. Leave to marinate for 5 minutes and it’s ready to serve!

What to serve with Sumac Onions

You can really serve this Turkish red onion salad with any dish! Here are some of my favorites:

Falafel wrap with piece cut in half to show the inside

Tips and Tricks

Sharp knife is key to ensure your onions are thinly sliced evenly. This is essential for this recipe. Use a mandolin if you prefer, especially if making a larger batch for a gathering
To remove the excess onion flavor, I like to soak the sliced onions in water for 10 minutes. I've also seen that massaging the onions with salt with help soften them too
Marinate for 5 minutes before serving. This allows them to soak in all the yummy sumac dressing and pickles the onions for a tangy light flavor
The longer the onions are marinated, the more mellow they become. They will also be more pink in color

Storage Instructions

Store leftover sumac onions in an airtight container or sealed mason jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. The longer they are left, the more mellow the taste and the texture will be softer and less crisp
Sumac onions are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature
Freezing isn't recommended, the texture will become mushy upon thawing

Close up of fork to show marinated onions

FAQs

What are sumac onions?

Sumac onions are a Turkish onion salad which are crisp and tangy and very popular in Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine

What does sumac taste like?

Sumac has a light lemony sour flavor with a citrus earthiness to it. You can add it to marinades, salads and dressings and pairs well with middle eastern foods

Can I use a different type of onion?

Red onion is traditionally used and gives a lovely color, however you can also use white or yellow onion if thats what you have on hand

How do you make onions less strong?

I add an extra step of soaking the sliced onions in water for 10 minutes. However the marinade of the sumac, lemon juice and salt all cure the onion making it less strong and no longer harsh

What can I use sumac onions for?

Sumac onions are a versatile condiment that pairs well as a side dish to many foods. Popularly eaten with kebabs, grilled meats and falafels. I've also listed some of my favorite dishes to pair these sumac onions with above

Turkish style marinated onions in a bowl

More Easy Condiments

More Vegetable Sides

I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to rate the recipe, comment and share your Sumac Onions photo on Instagram so I can share the love!

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