Sumac Onions (Turkish Red Onion Salad)
Sumac onions are a Turkish red onion salad made with thinly sliced onions, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, mint, and tangy sumac. Salting the onions first softens their sharp bite while keeping them crisp. Serve this simple salad in pita sandwiches, over grain bowls, or alongside falafel.
Servings: 4 Side Dish
Calories: 46kcal
Equipment
- 1 cutting board
- 1 chef knife
- 1 colander
- 1 Medium bowl
Ingredients
- 1 large red onion halved and very thinly sliced into half-moons
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt plus more to taste
- 2 tablespoons sumac
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice about half a medium lemon
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint finely chopped, optional
Instructions
- 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 finish, 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 and Dry: 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.
- Mix and Rest: Add the sumac, lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, and mint directly to the onions. Toss to coat evenly. Let the onions sit for 15 to 30 minutes. I always taste the onions before serving and adjust as needed. (I love lots of lemon and almost always add more.)
Notes
Storing: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Drain off any excess liquid the onions have shed. Stir and serve.
Sumac Tip: If your sumac looks pale or smells faint, it's time to buy a fresh batch. I recommend buying sumac in small quantities from your local spice store if at all possible.
Serving Suggestions: Sumac onions are the perfect side salad. You can also enjoy them with harissa chickpeas, grain bowls, inside a pita sandwich, or as part of a Mediterranean mezze.
Nutrition
Calories: 46kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 585mg | Potassium: 78mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 371IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 0.4mg