Sumac Onions (Turkish Red Onion Salad)

What is Sumac?

Sumac is a spice made from ground dried berries that grow on the sumac bush. This bush is native to parts of the Mediterranean and the Levant. In English, the word sumac sounds harsh (at least to me it does), but the spice has a berry like flavor with a touch of tartness on the finish.

What are Sumac Onions?

This sumac onion recipe is a Mediterranean staple found throughout Turkey, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria. I like to think of them as quick-marinated onions without vinegar and sugar. Quickly marinating red onions in olive oil, lemon juice, and sumac makes them taste rich instead of pickled. 

What Makes This Sumac Onion Recipe Different?

I use a salting process called macerating. The salt draws out the moisture, which softens the flavor and allows the onions to absorb the dressing. It’s a simple step that makes all the difference!

Sumac Onion Ingredients

Sumac Onion Recipe Key Ingredients

Red Onion

You will want to use one large red onion. Look for one that feels firm and does not have any soft spots or bruises. When slicing the onion, I prefer to use a sharp chef’s knife. If you want even slices, I recommend a mandoline.

Sumac

First, and this is important, use fresh sumac. I can tell if mine is fresh by the color, which should be a deep burgundy-red, and the smell, which should be fruity. I recommend buying it in small quantities at a local spice store if you can. 

Lemon Juice

Use fresh lemon juice only. The bottled version tastes bitter and nothing like the real thing.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

I recommend using a cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil within your budget. The quality of the olive oil matters, but so does staying on budget. I stick to $10-$20 for a small bottle. 

See the recipe card for complete information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Sumac Onions

Step One: Prepare the Onions

Peel the onion, then slice it in half. Keep the root intact to keep the onion together while cutting it into slices. Use the onion’s natural lines as a slicing guide to make even slices. Once you’re finished, cut off the root tip.

Next, place the onions in a medium-sized bowl and sprinkle with fine sea salt. Toss well and let them sit for ten minutes. You will see liquid at the bottom of the bowl. Drain off the liquid.

Rinse the onions under cold water and then pat them dry with a tea towel or paper towel. You want to get them as dry as possible.

What to Serve with Sumac Onions

• Add them on top of the harissa chickpeas.
• Spoon sumac onions on top of homemade hummus.
• Try mixing them into a traditional balela salad for extra texture and falvor.
• I add them to the table when making a Mediterranean mezze

How to Store This Recipe

You can store marinated sumac onions in your refrigerator for up to 2 days. Note that this salad tastes better fresh and the longer it is stored the onions will loose their crisp texture.

More Sumac Recipes

• Try my traditional Turkish white bean salad (piyaz). It combines white beans, tomatoes, and a sumac dressing dressing.
• Sumac onions pair perfectly with Turkish ezme as part of a Mediterranean mezze.