Turkish Sumac Onions (2024)

These Turkish sumac onions are a tasty combination of finely sliced red onions mixed with sumac, lemon juice and fresh parsley. Made in minutes, this delicious Turkish condiment is a must as it goes with so many dishes; from Turkish meze, to shawarma, sandwiches to salads, and more!

What are sumac onions

Also called Turkish red onion salad, or sumac onions, these sumac marinated onions are a fresh and lemony side dish that is served with many Turkish dishes instead of yogurt, especially kebabs, shawarma, and grilled meats. These Turkish pickled onions should taste lemony – both from the lemon juice and the sumac. They are fresh, with a hint of tartness, crunchy, slightly sweet and sharp all the same time. Even if you are not a fan of raw onions, this sumac salad will be sure to change your mind!

Why we love this recipe

• It’s a flavour packed and colourful condiment to add your favourite dishes.
• The onions with sumac go with so many dishes, and can be served as a salad as well as a relish.
• The marinated onions keep well – whip up a batch of this red onion salad and enjoy throughout the week.

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Ingredient notes and substitutions

• Red onions – red onions are sweeter than brown or white onions, and I do think add a nicer flavour to this quick pickle, but you can use white onions if you prefer.
• Sumac – this popular Middle Eastern spice is the star of the dish, what makes this go from a simple red onion salad to a sumac onion salad! It is available in supermarkets and wholefoods/spice stores.
• Fresh parsley – chopped parsley adds beautiful specks of green amongst the red sumac red onions, but you can leave this out if you don’t have any.
• Lemon juice – you can use red wine vinegar as an alternative to lemon juice.
• Extra virgin olive oil – use the best olive oil you can, for a greater flavour in your onion salad.

How to make Turkish onions from scratch

1. Carefully slice the red onions finely with a sharp knife, place in a bowl and cover with water, leave for 30 minutes.
2. Whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice.
3. Drain the onions, add the sumac, finely chopped parsley and drizzle over the lemon dressing.
4. Mix well to combine.

FAQ

My recipe tips

• Soaking the onions first helps them lose their fiery onion flavour. You can omit this step if you want more sharp onion flavour, but we prefer the more subdued tones.
• Use your hands to massage the sumac and lemon dressing in to the red onions, this really helps get the flavour in to the onions.
• The onions should taste lemony – both from the sumac and lemon juice.

Serving Ideas

• Grilled kababs or meats – these sumac onions are the best for shawarma, and they are a must at a barbecue – try spooned over sausages for the best hotdog!
• With Turkish köfte, lamb, kebap, or shish kebab, with pita bread, rice or couscous.
• In a sandwich or wrap – try with leftover baked chicken on a wrap with slices of tomatoes – a personal favourite!
• On rice bowls or roast chickpeas or vegetables.
• As part of a Turkish mezze with ezme (Turkish pepper salad), Kisir (Turkish bulgar salad), some white cheese, Haydari (strained yogurt dip) and some flatbreads.

Variations

Some people like to add a sprinkling of red pepper flakes for some spice, or drizzle of sweet-sour pomegranate molasses to their sumac onions.

Make ahead/storage

These onions with sumac will keep for up to 5 days, covered, in the fridge.

Ideas for leftover Turkish onion salad

As you can see from the list of varied serving ideas listed above, these marinated onions have so many different uses! Toss a spoonful through pasta with some cooked chicken and broccoli, add to a cheese sandwich, or sprinkle over a simple salad.

Why not try…

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