Servings
Font
Back
Sumac Onions (Marinated Onion Salad)
5 from 24 votes

Sumac Onions (Marinated Onion Salad)

This Sumac Onion salad features thinly sliced red onions marinated in bright lemon juice, tart sumac spice, and a touch of salt. Soaking the raw onion slices in cold water before marinating softens their sharpness, resulting in a crisp yet mellow salad with citrusy, tangy notes and a subtle earthy tang from the sumac. It works well as a vibrant condiment or side salad in Mediterranean meals.

Prep Time
5 mins
Additional Time
30 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 12 kcal
Course: Side Dish, Condiments
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern

Ingredients

  • 1 red onion
  • 1 tablespoon sumac
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cut the red onion in half. Then slice it into thin half-moons – I like to use a mandolin for even slices, but you can use a sharp knife. Place the red onion slices in a bowl of cold water and leave for at least 10 minutes (up to 30 minutes).
  2. Thoroughly drain the sliced onions and mix them with the rest of the ingredients. Use your hands to massage the sumac into the onions.
  3. Set the red onion salad aside for the sumac marinade to do its magic. Leave it for at least 20 minutes before serving.
  4. Transfer leftover sumac onions to a non-reactive airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Notes

  • Soaking sliced onions in cold water reduces sharpness and softens their texture.
  • Massaging sumac into the onions helps distribute flavor evenly.
  • Let the marinated onions rest at least 20 minutes before serving for best flavor.
  • Store leftover sumac onions in a non-reactive airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • This salad requires minimal effort and is mostly hands-off during marination time.

Nutrition Information

Calories 12kcal (1%) Carbohydrates 3g (1%) Protein 0.3g (1%) Fat 0.04g (0%) Saturated Fat 0.02g (0%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.01g (0%) Monounsaturated Fat 0.003g (0%) Sodium 74mg (3%) Potassium 44mg (1%) Fiber 0.5g (2%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 1IU (0%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 7mg (1%) Iron 0.1mg (1%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 12

% Daily Value*

Calories 12kcal 1%
Carbohydrates 3g 1%
Protein 0.3g 1%
Fat 0.04g 0%
Saturated Fat 0.02g 0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.01g 0%
Monounsaturated Fat 0.003g 0%
Sodium 74mg 3%
Potassium 44mg 1%
Fiber 0.5g 2%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 1IU 0%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 7mg 1%
Iron 0.1mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.