Easy Turkish Sumac Onions Recipe (Turkish Onion Salad) (2024)

By: Author Tressa Jamil

Posted on - Last updated:

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Marinated sumac onions or Turkish onion salad are a tangy side dish or topping that takes 5 minutes to make. Pair the sumac onion salad with grilled meats like kabobs, salads, vegetable dishes, and wraps like Turkishtantuni.

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Easy Turkish Sumac Onions Recipe (Turkish Onion Salad) (1)

Table Of Contents

  1. What are Sumac Onions?
  2. What You Need to Make this Recipe
  3. Additions and Substitutions
  4. How to Make Sumac Onions
  5. Expert Tips
  6. Serving Suggestions
  7. What to do With the Leftovers
  8. Frequently Asked Questions
  9. Sumac Onions

What are Sumac Onions?

Turkish sumac onions are thinly sliced red onions massaged with and marinated in sumac, olive oil, and lemon juice (sometimes red wine vinegar) to flavor and soften the onions.

What You Need to Make this Recipe

  • Onion: I prefer the sharpness of red onion, but you can also use white or yellow onion.
  • Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice from one lemon is all you need for a nice pop of acidity. Other recipes rely on red wine vinegar or pomegranate molasses instead of lemon to provide tartness.
  • Parsley: Fresh parsley adds color to the salad and compliments the flavor of the other ingredients.
  • Spices: Season the onions with sumac and salt. Sumac is a popular Middle Eastern spice found online and in health stores. However, I recommend visiting a local Middle Eastern store to explore; the ground-up sumac berries give the dish its signature color and flavor.
  • Olive Oil: Be generous with the olive oil; since it is a prominent ingredient, I recommend using high-quality olive oil if you can.

Additions and Substitutions

  • For additional heat, add a pinch of ground Aleppo pepper.

How to Make Sumac Onions

The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Step 1: Add the ingredients to a serving bowl and massage to combine for about 2-3 minutes.

Easy Turkish Sumac Onions Recipe (Turkish Onion Salad) (2)

Step 2: Taste and season with sumac. Then, cover and set it aside for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Easy Turkish Sumac Onions Recipe (Turkish Onion Salad) (3)

Expert Tips

  • If you find the raw onion flavor too strong, soak the onions in cold water for 20 minutes to lessen the intensity. Drain the onions, pat them dry, and continue with the salad.

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If you love this recipe, pair it with one of these dinner favorites!

Tantuni

Koobideh Kabob

Air Fryer Ribeye Steak

Tandoori Chicken Tikka

Easy Turkish Sumac Onions Recipe (Turkish Onion Salad) (8)

Serving Suggestions

Sumac marinated onions often accompany chicken and red meat dishes but also act as a garnish for sandwiches, salads, and soup; brighten any meal with this healthy side dish.

  • Air Fryer Ribeye Steak, Boneless Leg of Lamb,Bison Steak Recipe
  • Adana Kebab, Shish Kebab, Shish Tawook,Koobideh Kabob, Kefta Kebab, Joojeh Kabob
  • Gyro, Tantuni, Döner Kebab, Shawarma
  • Falafel
  • Turkey Smash Burgers, Hamburgers, Air Fryer Turkey Burgers, Hotdogs,BBQ Baked Chicken Legs
  • Roasted Cauliflower, Baba Ganoush, Mlokheia
  • Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs

What to do With the Leftovers

  • Refrigerate Store the leftovers in an airtight container 4-5 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sumac?

Sumac ‘summāq’ means ‘dark red’ in Arabic, and it refers to a spice commonly used throughout the Middle East to top popular meals like fattoush. It comes from sumac berries, which are dried and ground into a coarse red powder for culinary purposes.

What are the onions on a kebab?

Sumac onions are a staple in kebab restaurants. They will serve them on top for meals like tantuni or on the side if ordering something like adana kebab.

How do you make raw onions less spicy?

Soak the onions in hot water for 10 minutes. Drain the onion, pat them dry, and proceed with making the salad.

What does sumac taste like?

Like lemons, sumac is tart and slightly sweet. It’s a perfect way to acidity to any meal without citrus.

What are the benefits of sumac?

According to an article written by contributors forLebanese International University, studies show that sumac contains antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, and the spice is helpful for meat tenderization and preservation.

More Mediterranean Recipes:

  • Skhug
  • Moroccan Shakshuka
  • Haydari

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Easy Turkish Sumac Onions Recipe (Turkish Onion Salad) (9)

Sumac Onions

Tressa Jamil

Marinated sumac onions or Turkish onion salad are a tangy addition to grilled meats, kabobs, salads, and vegetable dishes.

5 from 5 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Marinating Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Turkish

Servings 4 Servings

Calories 96 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 lemon, juice
  • 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon ground sumac
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  • Add the ingredients to a serving bowl and massage to combine for about 2-3 minutes.

  • Taste and season with sumac. Then, cover and set it aside for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Expert Tips:

  • If you find the raw onion flavor too strong, soak the onions in cold water for 20 minutes to lessen the intensity. Drain the onions, pat them dry, and continue with the salad.

Nutrition Disclosure:

  • The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 Serving | Calories: 96 kcal | Carbohydrates: 9 g | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 7 g | Saturated Fat: 5 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g | Sodium: 308 mg | Potassium: 231 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 3 g | Vitamin A: 12 IU | Vitamin C: 81 mg | Calcium: 5 mg | Iron: 9 mg

Did you make this recipe? Let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and follow @thejamilghar or tag #thejamilghar on Instagram!

Easy Turkish Sumac Onions Recipe (Turkish Onion Salad) (2024)

FAQs

What is Turkish sumac? ›

Comment. Published: May 24, 2022. This post may contain affiliate links. Tangy, smoky, earthy, and slightly sour, sumac is an essential spice in Middle Eastern cooking. With its deep red hue and fruity, citrusy flavor, sumac spice is the perfect way to add acidity and color to your meals!

What are the best onions for salads? ›

Red Onions: The salad onion. While you can cook with it, it's less overpowering than white or yellow onions, making it ideal for uses that require raw onion. The colour fades as you cook them. Great for Greek salad, on burgers, etc.

How to prepare onions for salad? ›

When preparing raw onions, soak in cold water before hand to remove some of the pungency and soften the flavor. However since soaking too long will dilute the flavor, soaking in cold water for 5 to 10 minutes is recommended. Squeeze out excess water before using.

Is sumac good or bad for you? ›

People dry and powder these berries for use as an herbal medicine or culinary spice. Sumac is rich in a variety of nutrients and antioxidant compounds. Early research suggests it may be beneficial for blood sugar control and relief of exercise-induced muscle pain.

Is sumac used in Turkish food? ›

Sumac is a tangy and slightly sour spice that is used in many Turkish dishes, including salads and kebabs. It has a reddish-purple color and a tart flavor that is reminiscent of lemon juice.

Should you put raw onion in salad? ›

Sure, you can totally put raw onions in a salad without cooking them. Raw onions give a strong and tangy taste to salads, making them more interesting.

How to sweeten onions for salad? ›

You can get rid of the strong taste by soaking sliced onions in ice water for 20 to 30 minutes or by sprinkling them with an acid such as vinegar. Onions soaked in ice water will get very crisp while those sprinkled with vinegar will soften a bit, but they will lose the strong taste and become sweeter.

How do you make onions less bitter for salad? ›

Just peel and slice the red onion as called for in your recipe, then submerge them in a bowl of cold or ice water. Let them sit for at least ten minutes, stirring once or twice, before draining and using them in your recipe. For added flavor, you can also soak the onions in lime juice, lemon juice, or vinegar.

Why do you rinse onions after cutting? ›

A: To reduce the pungency, sharpness or aftertaste of a raw onion, cut them the way you plan to use them and place into a bowl of ice water to stand for 1 1/2 hours before draining. If time is at a premium, place onions in a strainer or sieve. Run water through onions for at least a minute.

How long does onion last in salad? ›

How long can you keep sliced or diced onions in the refrigerator before they go bad? Sliced or diced onions will generally last in the refrigerator for about 7 to 10 days when stored properly.

Do you wash onions before or after cutting? ›

Yes! Actually we all must wash onions and garlics either before peeling them off or after , as : It helps them to make germs free. Also , According to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), you should wash raw fruits and vegetables very well before you peel, cut, eat or cook with them.

Is onion water good for your hair? ›

When added to the hair and scalp, onion juice can provide extra sulfur to support strong and thick hair, thus preventing hair loss and promoting hair growth. The sulfur from onions may also help promote collagen production. Collagen in turn helps the production of healthy skin cells and hair growth.

Why put sliced onions in water? ›

- Flavor: Immersing the onion slices in water can mellow their flavor to some extent. The pungency and sharpness of raw onion may be reduced, making them taste milder.

Why do you shower onions? ›

According to many other users who were already familiar with the concept of shower onions, keeping these veggies in your bathroom actually helps to neutralize any unwanted odors. That's because onions act as a natural deodorizer, meaning they can basically absorb smells, unpleasant and otherwise.

What does sumac taste similar to? ›

Sumac has a fruity flavor almost like lemon. The sourness can balance the acidity of a dish.

What is sumac and what does it taste like? ›

Sumac is tart, lemony, tangy, with almost a tinge of vinegar flavour. Some might even call it sour. In fact, the Phoenicians used it for its tart, acidic properties to flavour foods before the Romans introduced lemons.

Is Zaatar the same as sumac? ›

Even though it varies greatly depending on where you are in the Middle East (specific recipes are sometimes closely-guarded secrets!), za'atar is generally a combination of dried oregano, thyme, and/or marjoram (woodsy and floral), with sumac (tangy and acidic) and toasted sesame seeds (nutty and rich).

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