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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Table Of Contents
- What are Sumac Onions?
- Ingredients You'll Need
- Additions and Substitutions
- How to Make Sumac Onions
- Expert Tips
- Serving Suggestions
- What to do With the Leftovers
- Frequently Asked Questions
- 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.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 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
- Add a pinch of ground Aleppo pepper for even more flavor.
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.
Step 2: Taste and season with sumac. Then, cover and set it aside for at least 30 minutes before serving.
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
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.
- Lamb:Boneless Leg of Lamb
- Kabobs: Adana Kebab, Shish Kebab, Shish Tawook,Beef Seekh Kabob,Koobideh Kabob, Kefta Kebab,Joojeh Kabob
- Wraps:Falafel Gyro,Tantuni, Döner Kebab, Shawarma
- Chicken:BBQ Baked Chicken Legs,Al Faham Chicken
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
- Biwaz
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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
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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
Equipment
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
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