About this Persian-style sumac sauce dressing
Think of a Persian Classic Shirazi Salad dressing with sumac, this dressing makes a basic tomato and cucumber salad refreshing and zesty.
If you’re looking for a light Middle Eastern or Mediterranean salad dressing with sumac that is nutritious and tasty, you may want to give this recipe a try!
Table of Contents
- About this Persian-style sumac sauce dressing
- How this Sumac Dressing Came to Be
- Health benefits of sumac
- Ingredients needed to make sumac salad dressing
- Substitutions
- Sweetener variations
- Salad to pair with this sumac sauce.
- FAQ
- Related Recipes
- Other Salad Dressing
How this Sumac Dressing Came to Be
My time at my in-laws made my taste buds used to salad with sumac. Every time I visit, my in-laws make sure I don’t leave without a packet of sumac and saffron. And with my habit of prepping dressings ahead, this sumac salad dressing came to life. It’s just my way to skip making dressing every time I make cucumber and tomato salad.
Prepping this Persian-style salad dressing with sumac ahead is more than just convenient. It’s a taste of home for my husband, and to me, it’s a delicious and healthy way to add this Mediterranean anti-inflammatory spice into my diet.
Health benefits of sumac
Sumac and citrus, the main components of this sumac sauce, bring plenty of vitamin C and antioxidants. Which makes this dressing refreshing and nourishing.
A staple in both Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, sumac brings not just tangy flavor and red color, but also is rich in plant compounds like flavonoids and anthocyanins that are beneficial for health (source). It has long been used for traditional medicine.
Apart from sumac, the other ingredients each bring their own fresh flavor and health benefits, making this sauce both vibrant and wholesome.
Ingredients needed to make sumac salad dressing
- Olive oil – I use cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil.
- Sumac powder – You can find this sumac powder in the Middle Eastern market. Some sumac is mixed with other ingredients or added to coloring agents, find the one as natural as you can.
- Dill – I use fresh dill for a refreshing flavor. Dried ones work too.
- Mint leaves – Fresh mint leaves really make a difference. It gives that full minty flavor.
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice – For a sweeter option, go for orange juice.
- Sweetener (Optional) – I use pomegranate molasses for the sweet and sour taste. You can also try with grape or date molasses.
- Salt
Substitutions
- Lemon Juice – Substitute lemon for orange juice or vinegar. Use grape vinegar, white condiment, or wine vinegar for a milder and slightly sweeter tang.
- Herbs – Substitute fresh herbs for dried herbs.
Sweetener variations
- Molasses – Pomegranate molasses is commonly used in Persian cuisine. Just like pomegranate, this molasses is sweet and sour. You can also use grape molasses for a milder fruity taste or date molasses for caramel-like sweetness.
- Honey – If you can’t find molasses, just swap it with honey.
Salad to pair with this sumac sauce.
Classic cucumber and tomato salad – I mainly make this dressing for Shirazi Salad. It’s a simple mix of cucumber, tomato, and onion, though sometimes I toss in extra veggies depending on what’s in the fridge.
Fruit salad – This dressing is zesty and light, making it perfect for balancing the sweetness of the fruit.
Green salad – Massage it into crisp lettuce or spinach leaves for an instant boost of flavor.
FAQ
How long to keep this sumac salad dressing in the fridge?
You can keep this sumac salad dressing in the fridge for about 4–5 days. Since it’s made with fresh citrus juice and herbs, the flavor is at its best during the first few days. Just give it a good shake before using.
How does this sumac dressing taste?
This sumac dressing is refreshing and lemony with a hint of mild sweetness from molasses. Expect a little bit of grainy texture from the sumac.
Related Recipes
Other Salad Dressing
Persian Sumac Sauce Salad Dressing
11
tbsp5
minutes579
kcalA classic Shirazi-inspired dressing made with lemon, olive oil, sumac and Persian herbs. This refreshingly tangy sumac dressing is ready to go, you don’t have to whip up a new dressing everytime!
Ingredients
1/4 cup Extra virgin olive oil
1 and 1/2 tbsp Sumac powder
1 tsp Dills – finely chopped
1 tsp Mint leaves – finely chopped
3 tbsp Lemon juice – freshly squeezed
2 tbsp Pomegranate molasses (for added sweetness) (jump above for substitution)
3/4 tsp Salt
Directions
- Combine all the ingredients in a jar and shake until fully incorporated.
- Add the sauce to your salad and store the remaining sauce in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days and no more than 3 hours at room temperature.
🥣 Did you try this recipe? Let me know in the comments below!
One Response
This sounds yummy. I think sumac may be my favourite spice. Unfortunately oranges don’t suit me do you know what I may use instead please?