3 EASY WAYS TO USE SUMAC

3 EASY WAYS TO USE SUMAC

Bright. Citrusy. Effortlessly transformative.

If there is one spice that instantly elevates a dish from simple to striking, it is sumac. With its deep crimson hue and delicate citrus tang, sumac delivers acidity without sharpness. It adds brightness without liquid, lifts richness without overpowering, and enhances everything from roasted meats to fresh salads.

Used widely across Middle Eastern cuisine, sumac is remarkably easy to cook with. It can be sprinkled raw over dishes for freshness or roasted to develop a deeper, mellow complexity.

Here are three easy ways to use sumac — perfect for weeknights, entertaining, or building confidence in the kitchen.

1. Sumac Onions

A simple condiment with extraordinary impact

Sumac onions are quick to prepare and endlessly versatile. The spice gently softens the onion’s sharp bite while infusing it with bright, citrusy depth. Keep a batch in the fridge and use it to finish almost any savoury dish.

Ingredients

  • 1 large red onion, very thinly sliced

  • 1 tbsp sumac

  • 1 tsp organic parsley

  • Juice of ½ lemon

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • Pinch of sea salt

Method

  1. Place sliced onion in a bowl and sprinkle with salt. Massage gently for 1–2 minutes to soften.

  2. Add sumac, parsley, lemon juice and olive oil. Toss to coat evenly.

  3. Allow to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Serve with: salads, grilled meats, falafel, hummus plates, sandwiches, tacos or roasted vegetables.

2. Sumac Chicken Tray Bake

A one-pan dinner infused with brightness and warmth

This tray bake delivers maximum flavour with minimal effort. As everything roasts together, the sumac permeates the chicken and vegetables while the sliced lemons soften and caramelise into sweet, jammy bites.

Ingredients

  • 6 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)

  • 1½ tbsp sumac

  • 3 tbsp olive oil

  • 3 garlic cloves, smashed

  • 1 red onion, cut into wedges

  • 2 potatoes, cut into chunks

  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • Fresh coriander, roughly chopped, to garnish

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 200°C.

  2. In a large bowl, toss chicken, potatoes and onion with olive oil, garlic, sumac, salt and pepper.

  3. Arrange on a baking tray and scatter over the sliced lemon.

  4. Roast for 40–45 minutes until the chicken skin is crisp and golden and the potatoes are tender.

  5. Spoon over pan juices and finish with chopped coriander before serving.

The result is bright yet deeply savoury — citrus, warmth and caramelisation in perfect balance.

3. Simple Sumac Salad

Fresh, textured and beautifully layered

Sumac shines in raw applications, where its tangy lift brings vibrancy to everyday ingredients. This salad is balanced and satisfying, combining crisp vegetables, creamy feta, hearty chickpeas and toasted pita for crunch. Optional olives are a nice salty addition and sardines not only add a rich, savoury depth but are incredibly beneficial to the skin.

Ingredients (Serves 3–4)

  • 1 cucumber, sliced

  • 2 ripe tomatoes, chopped

  • ½ red onion, finely sliced

  • 1 can (400g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

  • ½ cup crumbled feta

  • 1 toasted pita, torn into bite-sized pieces

  • Handful fresh parsley, chopped

  • 1 tbsp sumac (plus extra to finish)

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

  • Juice of ½ lemon

  • Salt, to taste

  • Optional: 1 tin sardines in olive oil, drained and ½ cup Kalamata or mixed olives, pitted and halved

Method

  1. Build the base
    In a large bowl, combine cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, chickpeas, feta and parsley.

  2. Make the dressing
    Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, sumac and a small pinch of salt.

  3. Toss gently
    Pour dressing over salad and toss carefully to combine.

  4. Finish
    Fold through toasted pita just before serving to maintain crunch.
    If using sardines, place over the top and finish with an extra sprinkle of sumac and drizzle of olive oil.

This salad can stand alone as a light meal or accompany grilled meats and vegetables with ease.

Why Cook with Sumac?

  • Adds brightness without acidity overload

  • Enhances both raw and roasted dishes

  • Balances rich ingredients beautifully

  • Instantly makes food feel vibrant and intentional

If you are building confidence in the kitchen, sumac is one of the most rewarding spices to explore. A simple sprinkle can transform a dish — proof that bold flavour does not require complexity.

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