Sumac - also known as sumach - is one of the most versatile spices from Middle Eastern cuisine. You may already know it as an important ingredient of za'atar, but sumac certainly deserves its own spotlight. In this blog you'll read exactly what it is, how to use it best and which delicious dishes you can make with it.
What is sumac?
Sumac is a dark red spice made from the dried and ground berries of the sumac plant. The flavor of sumac spices is distinctly tart - comparable to lemon, but more herbaceous and slightly earthier. In the Netherlands sumac is sometimes also found under the name zuurkruid.
The sumac plant grows in tropical climates around the world, mainly near the equator. Over the centuries sumac has had many uses: indigenous peoples in Central America mixed it with tobacco, and in Japan the juice of the red sumac berries was used as a dye. But the most popular use to this day remains its role as a fresh flavoring in the kitchen.
How do you use sumac?
With most spices the rule is: the earlier you add them, the more flavor they release. With sumac it's a little different. Add sumac preferably just before serving - this keeps the citrusy freshness at its best.
Simple ways to use sumac:
- As a topping on hummus or guacamole
- Mixed through a fresh salad
- As the base for a marinade for chicken or fish
- Stirred into a yogurt dip
4 delicious recipes with sumac
1. Fresh sumac salad (5 ingredients)
A simple side dish you can have on the table in less than 15 minutes. Perfect alongside a stew or tagine.
Ingredients:
- Red onion
- Tomato
- Parsley
- Sumac
- Lemon juice
Preparation: Slice the onion, tomato and parsley very thinly and mix them in equal proportions. Add a generous pinch of sumac and a good splash of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper and let the salad rest for 10 minutes. The sumac and lemon juice tame the sharpness of the raw onion and bring the flavors together. Serve with a piece of Lebanese flatbread for a complete snack.
2. Roasted vegetables with sumac
A colorful vegetarian main or a generous side dish — perfect for any season.
Ingredients:
- Zucchini, bell pepper and eggplant (or other oven vegetables of your choice)
- 3 tbsp sumac
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh mint leaves
- Salt and pepper
Preparation: Preheat the oven to 200°C. Cut the vegetables into even cubes or slices — this ensures even cooking. Mix the sumac with the olive oil (ratio 3:2) into a dressing and distribute it evenly over the vegetables. Roast them on a baking tray until tender and lightly browned. Garnish with fresh mint for a surprising, fresh finish.
3. Sumac-grilled chicken
Sumac and lemon juice together form a marinade that gives chicken a wonderfully fresh, slightly tart flavor — ideal for the BBQ or a grill pan.
Ingredients:
- Chicken of your choice (wings, legs or fillet)
- 2 tbsp sumac
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Preparation: Mix all the marinade ingredients. Coat the chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes (longer = more flavor). Grill the chicken on the BBQ, in a grill pan or frying pan until cooked through. Let rest briefly before serving. Delicious with rice and the sumac salad from recipe 1.
4. Sumac-yogurt dip
A quick, healthy addition to your snack platter that will amaze everyone.
Ingredients:
- Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp sumac
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Preparation: Mix all ingredients into the yogurt. Note: don't use too much garlic, as raw garlic can quickly overpower the dip. Let the dip rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes so the flavors can meld. Serve with bread, cucumber or carrot.
Buying and storing sumac
You can easily order sumac spices in our online shop via naturalspices.nl/sumak-gemalen. Store sumac in a dry, dark place in a sealed jar — this way the spice will keep for months.
Conclusion: sumac is a must-have in your spice cabinet
Whether you use sumac as a topping on hummus, as a marinade for chicken or as a flavoring in a yogurt dip — this versatile spice deserves a permanent place in your kitchen. Thanks to its fresh, lemony taste sumac instantly gives every dish more character, and it's also surprisingly easy to use.
Which sumac recipe will you try first?
Frequently asked questions about sumac
-
What is sumac?
Sumac is a dark red spice made from the dried and ground red berries of the sumac plant. It tastes tart and citrusy, but more herbaceous. In the Netherlands it is also known as zuurkruid. It is a popular spice in Middle Eastern cuisine. -
How do you use sumac?
Sumac is best added just before serving so that the fresh citrusy flavor is preserved. You can use it as a topping on hummus or salad, stirred into a yogurt dip, or as the base for a marinade for chicken or fish. -
Where can I buy sumac?
You can easily order sumac in our online shop via Sumak You can also find it at Turkish or Arabic supermarkets and specialty stores. -
What is the difference between sumac and lemon?
Both provide a sour, fresh taste to dishes, but sumac is more herbaceous and earthier in flavor. Moreover, sumac is a dry powder, so it doesn't add extra moisture to your dish — useful if you don't want to change a dish's texture. -
How do you store sumac?
Store sumac in a sealed jar in a dry, dark place, such as a kitchen cabinet. This way the spice will keep for months and retain its full flavor.
