This simple sumac dressing can be made in just under 5 minutes. With its tangy & fresh flavor, it's equally as great eaten with your favorite greens as it is drizzled over grain bowls for a burst of flavor.
Sumac is a staple spice in Middle Eastern cuisines. It pairs well with potatoes, makes a great addition to hummus, and also stars in this mean sumac salad dressing!
💌 Why I Love This Dressing
- A unique & playful twist on your standard dressing
- Versatile enough to be used on salads or as a bread dipper
- Tangy, slightly citrussy & so refreshing
- Packed with antioxidants, healthy fats & vitamin C
- Made using simple, common ingredients
- Comes together in under 5 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
- Ground Sumac. This spice provides the base of this recipe - a tart flavor, red hue, and floral notes.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil. Rich in good fats and antioxidants, EVOO adds a robust, peppery flavor.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds a bright, citrusy flavor that pairs perfectly with the tartness of sumac.
- Brown Sugar: This flavor-rich sweetener balances the tart and tangy flavors. If desired, use maple syrup instead.
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a burst of freshness and an aromatic finish.
- Sea salt & Black Pepper: To balance out the overall flavor. Can be adjusted to taste.
What is sumac & where can I find it? Sumac is a popular Middle Eastern spice made from ground berries of the sumac bush (Source). You can find it in the spices section of large supermarkets, Middle Eastern markets, or online (Amazon, specialized shops).
🔪 Equipment
- Mason Jar with Lid: For mixing and storing the dressing.
- Measuring Spoons and Cups: To measure out the ingredients.
- Whisk or Fork: For mixing the ingredients if you’re not using a mason jar.
- Cutting Board and Sharp Knife: For chopping the lemon & fresh parsley.
👣 Steps
Hint - This is a quick overview. For the full, printable recipe and nutritional information, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Mix. Add all the ingredients to a small bowl. Use a whisk or fork to mix the ingredients until well combined.
Taste and Adjust. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your taste.
When you're ready to serve it, give it another whisk/shake as the oil can separate quickly.
Serve it as a dressing, dip, or marinade, or opt to store it in the fridge if you're not ready to eat it yet.
Don't have a whisk? You can make this dressing in an airtight container like a mason jar instead. Simply add all the ingredients, secure the lid, and shake vigorously until combined.
💡 Recipe Success Tips
- Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh lemon juice and parsley for the best flavor. Avoid bottled lemon juice if possible.
- Adjust Sweetness: You can adjust this recipe to your taste buds - for example, you can add more sugar, salt, lemon juice, etc.
- Stick to EVOO: If you can swing it, I recommend using extra virgin olive oil instead of cheaper oils.
🤔 Frequently Asked Questions
Ground sumac has the tang of freshly squeezed lemon juice with an added hint of sweetness & floral notes.
Yes, this recipe is fairly forgiving so you can swap out some ingredients. For example, you could use liquid sweeteners instead of sugar, swap fresh parsley for other herbs, use lime juice instead of lemon juice, swap out fresh garlic for garlic powder, etc. Each will slightly alter the flavor.
If stored correctly (in an airtight container) in the fridge, the dressing can last up to 1 week. Bring it to room temperature and whisk/shake again before serving.
Yes, you can simply double or triple the ingredients to make a larger quantity. Keep in mind that we're using fresh ingredients so the dressing won't last as long as store-bought equivalents.
🍋 Flavor Variations
This delicious dressing can be paired with some additional flavors such as:
- Fresh Herbs: Play around with other herbs like fresh mint, dill, or oregano for additional depth.
- Extra Lemon: Add lemon zest to maximize the lemony flavor.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Red Wine Vinegar: Can be used instead of lemon juice for a punchier flavor.
- Mustard: Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for a sharp, tangy finish.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Simple Dressing: Drizzle it over a bowl of greens or a tangy leafy salad.
- Grain Bowls: A great addition to grain bowls with couscous, quinoa, farro, or bulgur.
- Dip: Use it as a dip when serving fresh bread rolls, pita chips, or similar snacks.
- Marinate: Infuse potatoes or veggies with this dressing before roasting them.
👋 Conclusion
If you've enjoyed this homemade sumac dressing, you might be interested in:
Have you tried my sumac dressing? I'd love to hear from you! Your comments, ratings & reviews all help bring this recipe to more new readers.
Have you got questions about making this recipe? Simply use the comments section below to get in touch.
🍴Recipe
EASY Sumac Dressing - Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
EQUIPMENT
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Whisk or Fork
- Cutting Board and Sharp Knife
- Mason Jar with Lid
INGREDIENTS
- ¼ cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon ground sumac
- 4 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley tightly packed
- salt & pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
- Mix. Add all the ingredients to a small bowl. Use a whisk or fork to mix the ingredients until well combined.
- Taste and Adjust. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your taste.
- Serve. When you're ready to serve it, give it another whisk/shake as the oil can separate quickly. If you're not using it immediately, store it in the refrigerator.
Notes
- TIP 1 - Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh lemon juice and parsley for the best flavor. Avoid bottled lemon juice if possible.
- TIP 2 - Adjust Sweetness: You can adjust this recipe to your taste buds - for example, you can add more sugar, salt, lemon juice, etc.
- TIP 3 - Stick to EVOO: If you can swing it, I recommend using extra virgin olive oil instead of cheaper oils.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: The nutritional information above is calculated automatically. The author of this post cannot guarantee 100% accuracy of this data.
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