Sumac Vinaigrette Recipe
Sumac Vinaigrette is a bold, tangy Mediterranean salad dressing made with sumac spice, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic powder. This vibrant dressing delivers a citrusy punch without overpowering your dish, perfect for salads, roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, and grain bowls. I have perfected this recipe over the past few days, and it consistently turns out super delicious. Do try!
Here are some more dressing recipes that you can try for your salads: Lemon Pepper Dressing, Sesame Ginger Salad Dressing, Green Goddess Salad Dressing, and Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing.
A Quick Look At This Sumac Vinaigrette Recipe
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 4 minutes
- Serves: Makes ½ cup
- Cuisine: Mediterranean / Middle Eastern
- Course: Dressing / Condiment
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten-Free
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Equipment: Mixing Bowl, Whisk, Measuring Spoons
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Why You’ll Love This Family Favorite Recipe!
- Bright, citrusy flavor without using too much lemon
- Naturally vegan & gluten-free
- Ready in 5 minutes
- Pairs beautifully with Middle Eastern & Mediterranean dishes
- Stores well (for upto a week) without separating quickly
- A unique alternative to classic balsamic vinaigrette
Table of Contents
I am still going strong with Sumac recipes. After trying Sumac Labneh, Sumac Tea, and Sumac Lemonade made with the dried sumac powder Mohit obtained from Dubai, I decided to try this delicious salad dressing using this lovely spice. I tried it a few times until I got the perfect recipe. Sharing it with you all!
What Is Sumac?
Sumac is a deep red Middle Eastern spice made from dried and ground berries of the Rhus plant. It has a naturally tangy, lemon-like flavor.
About Sumac Vinaigrette
Lemon Sumac Vinaigrette is a delicious Mediterranean-style salad dressing that comes together in under 5 minutes. It is tangy from sumac and lemon juice, peppery from olive oil, and a light sarpness from garlic and black pepper.
This bright and fresh dressing boasts a piquant flavor that will surely enhance the taste of your simple salad.
This versatile sumac vinaigrette can be used in many other ways, not only as a dressing. I have listed a few ideas in the post below.
This sumac vinaigrette recipe makes approximately ½ cup of dressing, enough to dress a salad for six people.
Ingredients
Lemon – For the best taste, use only freshly squeezed lemon juice. Fresh lemon juice has a very refreshing flavor that bottled juices cannot match.
To make the dressing even more refreshing, add a little lemon zest.
You can also replace lemon juice with lime juice, white wine vinegar, or red wine vinegar.
Sumac – Ground sumac can be easily found in the spice section of your local grocery store or ordered online from portals like Amazon.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Use the best quality extra-virgin olive oil.
Others – This sumac salad dressing also requires red chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and ground black pepper. You can adjust the seasonings depending on your taste.
You can use fresh garlic cloves instead of garlic powder. Pass them through a garlic press or mince them using a sharp knife before adding them.
If you find the lemon and sumac dressing’s taste too sour and puckery, add a little honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup to balance it.
You can add some pomegranate molasses or Dijon mustard to the sumac dressing recipe to change the flavor. Dried or fresh herbs, such as parsley and basil, can also be added.
How To Make Sumac-Flavored Vinaigrette
Step 1: Place the following ingredients in a glass jar (such as a mason jar) with a tight-fitting lid.
- ⅓ cup of extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon ground sumac
- ¼ teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Step 2: Secure the lid tightly.
Step 3: Shake well to combine.
Step 4: Taste and adjust the seasoning according to your liking.
Step 5: Store the sumac vinaigrette in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Bring it to room temperature and shake well before every use.
Pro Tips By Neha
The tanginess of sumac varies from batch to batch. So, I suggest adding a little at first and then gradually increasing the amount until the desired taste is achieved.
If you have added too much sumac, you can balance the dressing’s taste by adding honey or maple syrup.
Usage Suggestions
Use the Sumac vinaigrette at room temperature. Shake well before using.
Use it as a dressing for your salads, especially fattoush salad, chicken tawook salad, green beans, fava beans, red peppers, chickpeas, or tomato-based salads. It is also a perfect dressing for summer salads.
Drizzle this simple vinaigrette over roasted or grilled veggies, chicken, or other meats, fish, or seafood.
Use it as a marinade for steak, chicken, fish, or other meat.
Some Salad Recipes We Recommend
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Sumac Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon ground sumac
- ¼ teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Secure the lid tightly.
- Shake well to combine.
- Taste and adjust seasonings according to your liking.
- You can store it in an airtight glass container in the fridge for up to a week. Bring it to room temperature and shake well before every use.