Sumac Onions (Turkish Onion Salad)

What Are Sumac Onions?

Sumac onions are a staple condiment whenever we make BBQ (mangal, as we say in Turkish). Essentially, it is a raw onion salad and a popular Turkish side dish. 

Thinly sliced onions are combined with sumac, a tangy Turkish spice, salt, lemon and olive oil. 

This mixture marinates the onions, making them soft yet crispy, and giving them a delightful tangy flavor similar to pickles. The vibrant taste and texture make sumac onions a perfect accompaniment to a variety of dishes.

In Turkish cuisine, sumac onion salad is often paired with kebabs. It's also served with Mercimek Köftesi (bulgur and lentil balls), a star dish at ladies' afternoon tea parties.

What Is Sumac?

Sumac is a tangy, deep red spice made from the dried and ground berries of the sumac plant, native to the Middle East and Mediterranean regions. It has a distinct lemony flavor with an earthy undertone.

In Turkish cuisine, sumac is a staple ingredient, used to make the taste of salads even richer. You can make a delicious sumac salad dressing and pour it over any salad you like. 

Its most popular use is with onions, as in this red onion salad recipe. However, it can also be used to garnish soups or mezes like hummus.

About the Ingredients

Today, we are giving you the most authentic recipe for Turkish onion salad. So what do you need? Find them below!

Onion: No strict rules about this. You can use white onion too, but we love the vibrant color of red onions, so we often prefer them.

Sumac: This essential tangy spice can be found at Turkish or Middle Eastern markets, or on Amazon.

Pul Biber: Not a staple ingredient in this onion salad, but we recommend it for a nice heat kick. You can use Aleppo pepper as well. If you can't find these, just use regular red pepper flakes.

Parsley: The most popular herb in Turkey, used in almost every salad. We never substitute it in this recipe.

Lemon: Provides the acidity needed to marinate the onions and remove their bitterness. While some recipes substitute red wine vinegar for lemon, you never see this in Turkey.  

Pomegranate Molasses: Not used all over Turkey, but always included in the south, where Zerrin grew up. We highly recommend it for an even tastier result.

If you can't find pul biber or pomegranate molasses, that's okay. Your onion salad will still taste great, but try to find those ingredients for next time to enjoy the full authentic flavor.

How to Make The Recipe

Our Turkish sumac onions recipe is quick and easy. 

Sprinkle sumac, salt, and optional red pepper flakes over thinly sliced onions. Gently massage the onions with your hands—this step is crucial as it helps the onions absorb the flavors of the spices. 

Next, add fresh chopped parsley, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, and extra virgin olive oil. Give the mixture a good stir to combine all the ingredients. 

In just 5 minutes, you have a delicious and tangy sumac onion salad ready to pair with any meal. 

How to Make Red Onion Less Strong for Salad

To make red onion less strong for a salad, a common method used by many Turkish home cooks is soaking the onions in water. 

However, we often find it unnecessary for this recipe. 

If you prefer a milder onion flavor, slice the red onion thinly and place the slices in a bowl of cold water. 

Let them soak for 10-15 minutes. After soaking, drain the onions and pat them dry before adding them to your salad. Soaking in water helps to mellow out the strong taste of the red onion, making it more pleasant for your salad.

How to Slice Onions Thinly

Slicing onions thinly is easy with a few simple steps. First, peel the onion to remove the outer skin. Next, place the onion on a cutting board and cut it in half from top to bottom. 

Once halved, cut off the root end of each half. Lay each half flat side down on the cutting board for stability. Using a sharp knife, make thin slices by cutting across the onion from top to bottom.

Serving Suggestions

Sumac pickled onions can be paired with grilled meats or used in wraps and sandwiches.

In Turkey, it is traditional for kebab restaurants to serve this Middle Eastern onion salad on the same plate as Turkish kebabs or on a meze platter. Typically, kebabs are served on lavash bread alongside grilled tomatoes and peppers, with a little onion salad on the side, all on one plate.

This tangy Turkish onions complements many popular Turkish dishes such as:

• Turkish Doner
• Chicken Doner (or chicken shawarma)
• Tavuk Shish Kebabs
• Lamb Shish Kebabs
• Adana Kebab
• Turkish meatballs
• Köfte Kebabs

For vegetarians, sumac red onions make a delicious accompaniment to mercimek köfte (lentil balls). 

What Do Onions with Sumac Taste Like?

Onions with sumac have a unique, tart flavor. The sumac spice gives them a lemony taste that blends well with the sharpness of the onions. The lemon juice adds more acidity, making the onions taste fresh and zesty.

The olive oil provides a smooth finish, balancing the flavors. When marinated, the onions become a bit soft but still have a nice crunch. Overall, they taste tangy and slightly sour, similar to pickles, but with a special earthy hint from the sumac.

Storage

Place the sumac onions in an airtight container and store the container in the refrigerator. They can be kept refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.

Before serving, give them a quick stir to redistribute the marinade. If they seem a bit dry, you can add a little more lemon juice or olive oil to refresh them.

More Turkish Salads

• Piyaz
• Turkish Shepherd Salad
• Ezme
• Turkish Eggplant Salad
• Green Olive Salad
• Roasted Onion Salad
• Patates Salatasi (Turkish Potato Salad)