This Persian sumac salad dressing is inspired by traditional Shirazi salad from my Persian mother-in-law. It’s a citrusy dressing made of freshly squeezed citruses infused with Persian signature herbs, mint leaves, sumac, and dills.

Watch how I make this sumac dressing

It is delicious, easy to make, and rich in vitamin C and health-boosting herbs. If you are into milder tastes, low-fat and low-calorie dressing, this sumac dressing is perfect for you.

Why I like this sumac salad dressing

I make this dressing ahead of time to save time from preparing the sauce for my salad from scratch — especially Shirazi salad or cucumber and tomato salad. There was a time when I had an abundant stock of tomatoes and cucumbers, and this salad dressing helped clear the surplus. 

The first time I made this dressing, my husband seemed to enjoy the scoop of this sumac sauce on its own. He says the taste brings him back to his mom’s kitchen. Especially when the sumac taste gets more concentrated after 2 to 3 days of marinating with orange and lemon in the fridge.

What is sumac?

Sumac is a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean herb made from dried and ground berries from the sumac flower. Red or burgundy in color with a rough powdered texture, sumac tastes slightly sour with no aroma.

Used commonly as a flavoring, natural coloring, rub, garnishing, and souring agent, sumac definitely enhances the flavors of dishes across various cuisines.

In Middle Eastern countries such as Iran, where my husband is from, sumac has been used for centuries as a traditional medicine. Some people add it to water and drink it daily, like how people do with lemon. In my in-law’s house, sumac is used in salad Shirazi and sprinkled over beef kebab.

While the red color and citrusy taste add a delightful touch to dishes, its benefits extend beyond the culinary. Sumac can be a great natural flavoring that may benefit our health.

Health benefits of sumac

Through several studies in both people and animals, this unique and exotic spice has been found to possess compounds that are beneficial to our health. Sumac contains plant antioxidants – hydrolyzable tannins, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and flavonoids.

These phytochemical compounds may have the potential to protect our body from harmful substances, fight germs, improve blood sugar, keep our heart healthy, improve cholesterol levels, reduce pain, be good for our brain health, keep our teeth healthy, and even help prevent cancer. 

This study in 2022 shows that sumac may help to reduce inflammation in the stomach, such as H. pylori-related gastritis. However, studies on sumac are limited, and more research is needed to back its anti-inflammatory effect in humans. 

Other anti-inflammatory ingredients in sumac sauce dressing

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Orange
• Lemon
• Black pepper

Ingredients to make Sumac Sauce Salad Dressing

• Extra virgin olive oil (1/4 cup) – Good quality extra virgin olive oil makes a huge difference in the taste of any dressing. To fully enjoy the flavor and health benefits of this dressing, I suggest using a high-quality olive oil.

• Sumac powder (1 tbsp) – When buying sumac powder, beware of the poison sumac. You can find this sumac powder in the Middle Eastern market or where they sell Za’atar. Some sumac is mixed with other ingredients or added coloring agents. Try to find one that is natural.

• Dills (1 tbsp) – I use dried dills in this recipe, but you may as well use fresh dills.

• Mint leaves (Dried : 1 tbsp of dried / Fresh : 2 tbsp ) Mint leaves are often used in Persian cooking. This herb revitalizes the sauce, making it so refreshing, especially during a hot day. Try not to skip this ingredient or substitute it with any other herb, and I suggest using fresh mint leaves to get the fresh menthol taste into the sauce.

• Freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 lemon) – I use one whole lemon for this recipe.

• Freshly squeezed orange juice (1 orange) Orange balances the tartness from the lemon and sumac, so opt for the sweet type of orange to prevent the sauce from becoming too sour. I like to include the pulp in the sauce. It avoids waste and adds extra texture while allowing you to reap the most Vitamin C from this fruit.

• Salt and freshly ground pepper – I use 1 tsp of pink Himalayan salt and about 1/4 tsp of freshly ground pepper in this recipe. It’s the right amount for my preferences. Feel free to adjust the amount.

Vegetables to pair with this Persian sumac sauce salad dressing.

I make this dressing mainly for Persian Shirazi Salad as it is very simple to make, you only need cucumber, tomato, and onion. Sometimes, I add extra vegetables depending on what’s available in my fridge. Avocado, for example, is a great addition to most salad bowls, adding a creamy texture to your palate. Check this sumac salad recipe.

But you can still add it to your version of salad. Given that this salad is zesty and light, it will be an excellent pair to a fruit salad as well. You might even enjoy it with a bowl of greens – Gently massage crispy lettuce with this dressing for an extra flavor boost.

Frequently asked questions

What is sumac dressing made of?

Sumac dressing varies in different recipes. Some recipes include yogurt as the primary liquid base. If you are looking for a sumac vinaigrette salad dressing, the main components are lemon, olive oil, and salt, together with sumac and other herbs. Since sumac is a bit sour, natural sweeteners are commonly added to balance the tartness.

Other anti-inflammatory salad dressing

• Mediterranean diet salad dressing
• Japanese ginger salad dressing
• Creamy mango vinaigrette

 

🥣 Did you try this recipe? Let me know your thoughts in the comment below.