Turkish Sumac Onions (Marinated Onion Salad)

Sumac onions are a simple yet flavorful Middle Eastern condiment made with sliced red onions lightly pickled in a lemon and sumac marinade. These quick-pickled onions bring bright, tangy flavor and gorgeous color to everything from kebabs and wraps to salads and grain bowls.

Although my husband and I haven't traveled extensively through the Middle East (aside from a memorable trip to Israel and Jordan), we often bring those bold, vibrant flavors into our kitchen. One of our favorite things to do over weekends is cooking up a Mediterranean feast, and recently we added these sumac onions to the spread-they're a new staple!

Scroll down for step-by-step photos, helpful tips, and fun flavor variations!

Jump to:

• What Are Sumac Onions?
• Ingredients You'll Need
• What Is Sumac?
• How to Make These Turkish Marinated Sumac Onions
• Substitutions
• What to Serve with Sumac Onions
• Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
• Join Our Newsletter
• FAQ's
• More Middle Eastern Recipes
• Turkish Sumac Onion (Marinated Onion Salad)

What Are Sumac Onions?

Sumac onions are a traditional Middle Eastern side dish or condiment made by marinating thinly sliced red onions in lemon juice, salt, and ground sumac. Often served alongside grilled meats, wraps, and mezze platters, they offer a punchy mix of tangy, savory, and citrusy flavors with just the right amount of bite.

This quick onion salad is especially popular in Turkish and Levantine cooking, where sumac-a deep red spice-adds a vibrant hue and lemony zing to balance rich and smoky dishes.

Flavor Profile

Expect a mouthwatering combo of sharp onion mellowed by citrus, earthy parsley, and the signature tartness of sumac. 

The flavor is: lemony and tart, bright and refreshing and Umami-rich, especially when paired with grilled meats or creamy dips. If you love our Quick Pickled Red Onions, you'll adore this Middle Eastern version.

Ingredients You'll Need

This simple sumac onion salad comes together with just a handful of fresh ingredients-but each one plays a key role in building flavor and texture.

• Red Onion - Mild and slightly sweet when raw, red onions are ideal for marinating. Their bold color and flavor soften beautifully in the lemon-sumac mix. Learn more about when red onions are in season.
• Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice - Adds bright acidity that lightly pickles the onions and balances their sharpness.
• Salt - Helps break down the onions' bite and enhances the tangy flavor.
  Ground Sumac - The star ingredient. It gives these onions their signature tart, citrusy flavor and rosy hue. Sumac is rich in antioxidants and commonly used in Turkish and Middle Eastern dishes.
• Flat-Leaf Parsley - Adds freshness, a touch of bitterness, and a lovely green contrast.
• Drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Rounds out the flavors and adds a little richness to the salad.

See the recipe card for quantities.

What Is Sumac?

Sumac is a ground spice made from the dried berries of the sumac shrub. It's common in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines and prized for its naturally sour, lemon-like flavor that lifts savory dishes without adding liquid.

You'll often find sumac sprinkled over hummus, fattoush, or roasted meats for a final citrusy kick. In this recipe, it both adds color and balances the onions' bite.

• Freshness Tip: Good-quality sumac should be a deep burgundy-red color with a strong citrus aroma. If it smells dusty or flat, it's time to replace it.
• Storage Tip: Keep your sumac in an airtight container, away from heat and sunlight. This helps preserve its flavor and vibrant color for longer.

👉 Looking to stock up? You can buy high-quality sumac here.

How to Make These Turkish Marinated Sumac Onions

Tested in our kitchen and loved by our readers-this recipe is quick, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make!

Slice the Onion

• Cut the red onion in half and then into thin slices. Place the slices in a medium bowl.

Chef's Tip: If your onions are too strong, simply soak the sliced onions in cold water for 10-15 minutes, drain well, and pat dry before marinating. This helps mellow their bite even further without losing texture.

 Massage with Salt and Lemon

• Add the salt and freshly squeezed lemon juice to the bowl. Gently massage the onions with your fingers for 1-2 minutes. This softens the onions, releases their juices, and begins the light pickling process.

Add Sumac and Parsley

• Sprinkle over the ground sumac and chopped parsley. Toss everything together until the onions are well coated and slightly pink in color.

Let It Sit

• Allow the onions to rest at room temperature for at least 10-15 minutes. This short marinating time allows the flavors to meld and the onions to soften slightly-perfect for serving with rich grilled meats or creamy dips.

Substitutions

This recipe is flexible and easy to adapt with ingredients you may already have on hand.

• Lemon Juice - You can use red wine vinegar or pomegranate molasses for a slightly different acidic note with a touch of sweetness.
• Heat Lovers - Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper for a gentle, smoky warmth.
• Parsley Alternative - Try chopped cilantro or mint for a fresh twist.

These tweaks can help you match flavors to what you're serving or simply use what's in your pantry.

What to Serve with Sumac Onions

These Turkish sumac onions are incredibly versatile and add a tangy pop of flavor to all kinds of dishes. Here are some of our favorite pairings:

• As Part of a Mezze Platter - Serve alongside hummus, baba ganoush, labneh, and our Soft & Fluffy Turkish Flatbread (Bazlama) for dipping.
• With Roasted or Grilled Meat - Perfect with Ground Beef Koftas, shawarma, lamb kebabs, roast chicken, or our Easy Lamb Koftas Recipe.
• Fish and Seafood - Especially tasty with grilled salmon, shrimp skewers, or flaky white fish.
• In Sandwiches, Wraps, and Burgers - Add to falafel gyros, shawarma wraps, burgers, or our Smoked Salmon Bagel.
• With Salads, Grain Bowls, and Roasted Veggies - A great topping for our Mediterranean bulgur salad or a warm grain bowl with chickpeas and roasted

These onions are the kind of thing you'll find yourself adding to everything! Trust me….

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

This is a great recipe to prepare ahead for entertaining.

• Fridge: Store leftover sumac onions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavor will continue to deepen, and the onions will soften slightly over time.
• Not Freezer Friendly: Freezing is not recommended, as it will alter the texture and make the onions mushy once thawed.
• Ways to Use Leftovers: Add to sandwiches, grain bowls, wraps, tacos, or scrambled eggs for a quick flavor boost. They're also excellent stirred into lentil or chickpea salads.

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FAQ's

More Middle Eastern Recipes

If you love these sumac onions, try some of our other favorite Middle Eastern-inspired recipes next:

Whether you're serving grilled meats, layering up a falafel wrap, or building a mezze platter, these Turkish sumac onions add the perfect tangy crunch. They're quick, simple, and endlessly versatile.

Give the recipe a try and let us know how you used them in the comments below. And don't forget to Pin it for later-these onion salad are a keeper!

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The nutrition is an estimate only. It was calculated using Nutrifox, an online nutrition calculator.