With its bright, lemony flavor, sumac is one spice I can’t get enough of.
Lucky for me (and you!), there are so many ways to incorporate this vibrant ingredient into your cooking.
Here, I’m sharing 20 standout sumac recipes, from savory meat dishes to fresh salads and even a unique dessert.
1. Hummus
This is one hummus that’s luxuriously velvety.
I appreciate the rich flavor that tahini, garlic, sumac, salt, and lemon juice bring to the table.
The recipe is so simple to follow, but eating it? That’s even simpler.
Make sure you have extra on hand because it vanishes faster than you can imagine.
2. Shish Tawook
This is a sweet and tangy lemon-garlic chicken I find to be tender and juicy.
For me, it’s basically chicken in a herby yogurt marinade, but the flavors are remarkable.
I truly enjoy how its simplicity doesn’t take away from its deliciousness.
3. One Pan Sumac Chicken Thighs
If you’re anything like me, easy one-pan meals that cut down on dishes are always welcome.
These chicken thighs are a no-fuss dish that you can have ready in about an hour.
I appreciate that they’re juicy and fall apart in your mouth.
To me, they have an incredible sweet and savory taste that features the citrusy flavors of oranges and sumac.
4. Baharat Roast Chicken
I think the thing that makes this roast chicken so good is the marinade.
As long as you get that part right, you’ll have the most succulent chicken ever.
This marinade consists of sumac, garlic, cumin, baharat seasoning, chicken stock, olive oil, lemon rinds, coriander, salt, and pepper.
I think it’s a magnificent flavor blend that you’ll want to use on everything.
5. Za’atar Roasted Chicken Over Sumac Potatoes
I believe you can whip up this insanely good roasted chicken and potatoes with just a handful of primary components.
Three main ingredients (chicken, potatoes, and shallots) and a medley of herbs and spices are all you need.
If you’re after an easy dinner recipe that’ll delight your taste buds and transport you to Israel with every bite, this is the one you want.
6. Yogurt Sumac Sauce
This recipe is more a condiment than an actual “dish.”
I recommend that you put it on any Middle Eastern or Mediterranean meal that you make.
I have to say, it tastes great on food from any region.
It requires only five minutes and seven ingredients, and I enjoy that it adds a bit of tangy creaminess to anything you put it on.
7. Roasted Cauliflower Salad
What’s great about this is that it’s a salad unlike any other, featuring cauliflower and butternut squash.
They’re tender, perfectly roasted, and I’m telling you, they’re covered in a sweet, zesty lemon-honey vinaigrette.
I like that the salad also contains greens, toasted nuts, and raisins to add more flavors and textures to this already wonderful sumac recipe.
8. Turkish Sumac Onions
What I love about this recipe is that it’s simple and requires fewer than ten ingredients and no cooking on your part.
All you have to do is slice the onions and add the other ingredients when you’re ready.
It’s a crunchy, tangy, and colorful dish, so I like to add it to burgers, sandwiches, and wraps.
I also serve it with chicken breasts.
9. Low-Carb Lebanese Sumac Salad
I really enjoy this sumac salad dressing and think it’s an excellent way to enjoy sumac on your salads.
What I like most is that it’s zesty and has a bright, citrusy flavor.
The salad, I find, is wonderfully flavorful and has a bit of spice from the red banana peppers, while the mint leaves add a very refreshing touch.
10. Sumac Roasted Sweet Potatoes
If you’re like me and constantly seek out new ways to enjoy sweet potatoes, I suggest you try these.
I find these can be ready in less than 30 minutes.
All you’ll need are cubed sweet potatoes, powdered sumac, olive oil, pink Himalayan sea salt, smoked paprika, and chili powder.
I love how the spice mixture gives these potatoes plenty of sweet heat and allows you to experience them in a totally different light.
11. Stovetop Beef Kabob and Basmati Rice (Chelow Kabob Deegi)
I really appreciate how this yummy rice and beef dish is the national dish of Iran; after one taste, you’ll understand why.
It’s just that incredible.
The rice itself is a gorgeous golden color, and to me, the splash of red sumac on top of it makes it even lovelier.
The beef is tender and so exquisitely seasoned that you’ll want to lick your fingers after eating it.
12. Fattoush Salad
This salad is nearly identical to the one directly above it, but you’ll need to leave out the chickpeas.
In my opinion, doing so draws more attention to the bright, tangy dressing and the mint leaves.
Of course, if you think you’ll miss that kick of protein, you could always add some chicken, or you can keep it vegetarian-friendly and add tofu.
13. Sumac-Anise Hyssop Spice Mix
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect sweet and salty spice to add to your summer fruits, you can’t beat this recipe.
You’ll only need four ingredients: sumac, flaky salt, dried mint, and dried anise hyssop.
What I like to do is mix them up and then add them to my favorite summer melon.
Delicious!
14. Kabob Koobideh
Kabob koobideh is a well known Iranian dish, usually sold as “street meat.”
For me, it’s a perfectly spiced kabob made from lamb and beef with roasted veggies on the side.
It’s a filling meal of meat and veggies that I think even the staunchest “plain, down-home cooking” fan will love; plus, it’s easy to make.
15. Fattoush Salad with Chickpeas
This particular salad is a Middle Eastern favorite of mine that combines fresh veggies, mint, and chickpeas with toasted pita croutons.
You’ll need ground sumac for that tangy lemon dressing.
The great thing about this recipe, though, is that you can use the zesty, six-ingredient sauce for any salad you want.
So if you try it and find that you like it, feel free to use it often.
16. Ottolenghi’s Eton Mess
If you’re looking for something sweet and colorful that smells as amazing as it tastes, you’ve got to try this messy dish, and I promise it doesn’t take long to make.
It’s a no-bake dessert that’s ideal for summertime.
I find it fruity, fragrant, and it has the lightest, most wonderful taste imaginable.
There’s nothing else quite like it, so it’s hard to describe.
I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.
17. Snap Pea, Mint and Feta Fattoush Salad
Here’s a tasty salad that’s full of fresh, crunchy veggies and plenty of herbs and spices.
I think the mint adds a delightfully refreshing flavor, while the sumac and feta provide tangy citrus notes.
What I appreciate is that it takes about 30 minutes to pull together, but it’s a surprisingly filling salad that won’t leave you feeling unsatisfied or wanting meat after you eat it.
18. Kasha Varnishkes with Sumac Fried Brussels Sprouts
I’ll admit that this isn’t one of the prettiest dishes, but don’t let that stop you.
In my opinion, the pasta and mushrooms are mild and tender and take on the flavor of everything you add to the dish.
The Brussels sprouts are delicious, and I like how the egg adds a nice splash of color and protein.
It’s a vegetarian-friendly meal that may be outside of your usual repertoire, but I think you’ll enjoy it.
19. Baba Ganoush Recipe
If you enjoy rich and creamy hummus, then you’ll likely also enjoy its lesser-known cousin, baba ganoush.
It’s a lot like hummus, only it’s made from eggplants.
I find that it’s a bit smoky and insanely flavorful, featuring such robust ingredients as garlic, sumac, tahini, and lemon juice.
Also, the toasted pine nuts add both flavor and crunch.
20. Quinoa Salad with Za’atar, Herbs & Pistachio
If you love salads but are looking for something a bit denser, you can’t go wrong with this quinoa salad.
It’s naturally gluten-free and vegan-friendly, and I love that it tastes fantastic.
For me, it has all the crisp garden freshness of any salad, but the quinoa makes it much more filling than some salads with only greens and veggies.