Mediterranean Lemon Sumac Vinaigrette Dressing is a healthy and delicious salad dressing that comes together in just 5 minutes. Use it as a dressing for salads or drizzle it over grilled chicken or fish (gluten-free, vegan).
Here are some more dressing recipes that you can try for your salads – Lemon Pepper Dressing, Asian Sesame Ginger Dressing, Green Goddess Salad Dressing, Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing, Italian Dressing, Mango Salad Dressing, and Lemon Garlic Salad Dressing.

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About Lemon Sumac Vinaigrette
Lemon Sumac Vinaigrette is a healthy and delicious Mediterranean-style salad dressing that comes together in under 5 minutes.
This bright and fresh dressing has a piquant flavor to it which will surely perk up the taste of your simple salad.
Not only as a dressing, but you can use this versatile sumac vinaigrette in many other ways. I have listed a few ideas in the post below.
This sumac vinaigrette recipe will make approximately ½ cup of dressing which is good to dress a salad for 6 people. You can easily half, double or triple the recipe.
What Is Sumac
Sumac is a middle eastern spice that comes from the sumac fruit or flower. It has a deep purple-red hue and a piquant lemony flavor. It is milder and fruitier in taste as compared to lemons.
This spice is very popular in middle eastern cooking. It is an essential ingredient to make a Zaatar spice blend, Lebanese garlic sauce, or sumac onions.
Ingredients & Variations

Lemon – Use only freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best taste. Fresh lemon juice has a very refreshing flavor that cannot be matched with bottled ones.
To make the dressing even more refreshing, add a little lemon zest to it.
You can also replace lemon juice with red wine vinegar.
Sumac – You can easily get ground sumac in the spice section of your local grocery stores. You can also order it online.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Use the best quality extra-virgin olive oil.
Others – This sumac salad dressing also requires chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. You can adjust the seasonings depending on your taste.
Instead of garlic powder, you can use fresh garlic cloves. Pass them through a garlic press or mince using a sharp knife before adding.
If you feel the taste of the lemon and sumac dressing is too sour and puckery, then add a little honey or maple syrup to balance it.
You can also add pomegranate molasses or dijon mustard to the dressing for a taste change. Dried or fresh herbs like parsley, basil, etc can also be added to it.
How To Make Sumac Vinaigrette
Place
- ⅓ cup of extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon ground sumac
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Secure the lid tightly.

Shake well to combine.

Taste and adjust the seasoning according to your liking.
Store the dressing in the fridge for up to a week. Shake well before use.

Pro Tips By Neha
The tanginess of sumac varies from batch to batch. So I suggest adding a little at the first go and keep adding more until the desired taste is achieved.
If you have added too much sumac, then balance the taste of the dressing by adding some honey or maple syrup.
Usage Suggestions
Use the sumac dressing 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 a perfect dressing to use for summer salads as well.
Drizzle this simple vinaigrette over roasted or grilled veggies, chicken, or other meat, fish, or seafood recipes.
Use it as a marinade for steak, chicken, fish, or other meat.
Storage Suggestions
Sumac Vinaigrette will last for a week when stored in an airtight glass container in the fridge.
Bring it to room temperature and shake well before every use.
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Recipe Card

Mediterranean Lemon Sumac Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon ground sumac
- ¼ teaspoon 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.
- Store in the fridge for up to a week. Shake well before use.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!