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    You Are Here Home » Spice and Seasoning Recipes

    Published: May 17, 2021 Updated: Apr 28, 2022 by Hilda Sterner | This post may contain affiliate links 3 Comments

    The Best Sumac Substitute Option

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    Learn how to make a simple Sumac Powder Substitute for when a recipe calls for a small amount of sumac spice and you have none on hand. Sumaq or Sumach, as it's pronounced in the Middle East, is a crimson-colored tart powder, used to elevate many popular Middle Eastern dishes including Kabobs, Dilled Rice, and Fattoush Salad.

    In Middle Eastern cooking, Sumac is commonly sprinkled on rice, hummus, and Kofta Kabobs. It is also used to flavor marinades and salad dressings. These days, it's even used in desserts! However, it's not always easy to find, except in Middle Eastern markets.

    I'll show you how to make a quick and easy Sumac spice substitute that can add a similar flavor to your recipes. Unfortunately, the substitute is just that, a substitute. It will not add the same vibrant color. To get the full effect, only the real thing will do.

    You can purchase Sumac Spice (affiliate link) on Amazon

    What is Sumac Seasoning?

    Sumac berries are red, vibrant berries that grow in clusters or bobs on the sumac plant. There are hundreds of varieties, fourteen of which are native to North America.

    Some sources say that the shrubs can be found on all seven continents. The most popular varieties include Staghorn Sumac, Smooth Sumac, Evergreen Sumac, and Fragrant Sumac.

    The bobs are used to make coarse ground powder which is used in food and drink recipes.

    Sumac Substitute Ingredients

    Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

    • Lemon Zest — Lemon zest not only replicates the tartness in sumac but also the texture.
    • Sea Salt — The sea salt mimics the saltiness of sumac powder.
    • Citric Acid — Citric Acid is usually the missing ingredient in most Sumac Substitute recipes. The lemon zest alone is not enough to duplicate the tartness. However, a little citric acid goes a long way. In this case, all you need is approximately 1/16 of a teaspoon, maybe even less.

    How to Make This Recipe

    STEP 1: Mix lemon zest, salt, and citric acid. Pound the mixture with a Mortar and Pestle, if necessary, to combine the flavors.

    salt added to lemon zest
    citric acid added to lemon zest
    mortar and pestle
    sumac substitute in mortar and pestle

    STEP 2: Use right away, or freeze until needed. Or better yet, make it in small batches as needed.

    sumac spice substitue in a mortar and pestle

    Is Sumac Spice Edible?

    Edible Sumac

    Sumac shrubs with red berries are edible, while the varieties with green or white berries are not.

    Edible Sumac Berries {Picture taken by Brian Yurasits (website)}

    Toxic Sumac

    Many people mistake edible sumac berries for poison sumac, my husband included. Toxicodendron vernix is a species of poison oak. It contains a toxic oil called "urushiol." This oil causes dermatitis when it comes into contact with skin and can be found in every part of the plant. — PictureThis Ap

    Toxicodendron vernix

    Recipe FAQs and Expert Tips

    What does Sumac Taste Like?

    Ground Sumac Barries have a mouth-puckering tart flavor that some describe as peppery. However, I personally disagree. To me, it is sour, salty, and tangy, not peppery at all!

    sumac in a small mason jar

    What is a good Sumac Substitute?

    Unless you cook Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food often, chances are you can turn your cupboards upside down but won't find this unique spice that brings so many recipes to life! Here are some typical sumac spice substitutes.

    • Lemon zest
    • Lemon zest mixed with salt
    • A combination of lemon zest, salt, and black pepper
    • Tamarind (although tamarind is sour enough, it is not salty and does not have the right texture.
    • Za'atar is a spice blend made with a combination of herbs and spices, including thyme and ground sumac. Zaatar can work in some instances, when used for a rub or mixed in olive oil to make a marinade, for example. However, it wouldn't work when sumac is a key ingredient in the recipe, for example, Kathryn's Blackberry Sumac Scones.
    • My Sumac Substitute recipe is a combination of 3 ingredients: lemon zest, sea salt, and citric acid. Citric acid, in my opinion, makes all the difference.

    sumac substitute ingredients

    What is Sumac Spice Used for?


    • All parts of the sumac plant (except for the roots) are used to make clothes dye.
    • The fruit clusters of Staghorn Sumac attract all kinds of birds and are a vital source of nourishment, especially in the winter months.
    • Beekeepers light the dried sumac berry clusters and use them as their smokers.
    • But the most popular use for sumac spice is to flavor food. It is found in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean recipes and is starting to pop up in all kinds of recipes!

    marinated sumac onions in a bowl with lemon and sumac on the side

    Sumac Marinated Onions

    • This Sumac Spice Substitute recipe is not meant for a permanent swap for sumac powder. It's meant to be used in a pinch when a recipe calls for a small amount of sumac.
    • Store the powder in the freezer, especially if you don't use it very often. Some sumac powders have more moisture than others and tend to spoil when stored like the rest of your spices.
    • Sumac Spice comes in a variety of shades from bright red, to a deep shade of purple. The grind also varies from fine to coarse. The color or texture, however, does not affect the flavor.
    sumac sprinkled on the counter

    How to Use Sumac Spice in Recipes

    Barbecued Sumac Chicken

    sumac chicken on a blue plate

    This Barbecued Sumac Chicken recipe is the bomb! The sumac in the marinade lends a beautiful, tangy flavor, while the garlic, thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes do their own magic!

    Go to Recipe

    Lamb Shish Kabobs

    shish kabob on skewers

    This easy Lamb Shish Kabob recipe features tender morsels of marinated lamb with lots of colorful veggies, including bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms, seasoned and sprinkled with sumac.

    Go to Recipe

    Spinach and Cheese Fatayer

    spinach fatayer (turnovers) on a green and blue plate

    These tasty Spinach and Cheese pies are loaded with spinach, Feta cheese, and plenty of herbs and spices, including sumac powder.

    Go to Recipe

    Lebanese Fattoush Salad

    fattoush salad

    You'll love this delicious Fattoush Salad Recipe. Besides the unique ingredients, like pomegranates, sumac, and pomegranate syrup, the finished salad is topped with pita chips instead of croutons.

    Go to Recipe

    Za'atar Substitute

    zaatar in a bowl

    A sprinkle of Za'atar really wakens the flavor of food. Sprinkle some Za'atar on Low Carb Seed Crackers or liven up your Bucatini Cacio e Pepe. The possibilities are endless!

    Go to Recipe

    Musakhan | Sumac Chicken and Onions on Flatbread

    musakhan chicken on a green plate (chicken on flatbread)

    This Musakhan Recipe is an exotic Palestinian dish that you really should try at least once. Succulent Sumac Chicken served on toasted flatbread with caramelized sumac and Baharat onions and toasted pine nuts.

    Go to Recipe

    sumac substitute ingredients

    Other Spice Recipes

    If you enjoy making your own spice blends, you may be interested in learning how to make your own Corned Beef Spice Blend, Biryani Spice, Pork Rub, and Zaatar Substitute Spice Blend.

    Related Recipes

    • Goat Kofta Kabob (kebab) Recipe
    • Juicy Gourmet Elk Burger Recipe
    • Sambousek (Lebanese Meat-Filled Savory Pies)
    • Shish Kabob Recipe

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    sumac substitute ingredients

    The Best Sumac Substitute Option

    When you don't have Sumac on hand, use this 3-ingredient sumac substitute instead!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: seasoning, Spices
    Cuisine: Assyrian, Middle Eastern
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1 serving
    Calories: 4kcal
    Author: Hilda Sterner

    Ingredients

    • 1 medium lemon (zested)
    • ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
    • 1/16 teaspoon citric acid

    Instructions

    • Mix lemon zest, salt, and citric acid. Pound the mixture with a Mortar and Pestle, if necessary, to combine the flavors.
    • Use right away, or freeze until needed. Or better yet, make it in small batches as needed.

    Notes

    • This sumac substitute recipe is not meant for a permanent swap for sumac powder. It's meant to be used in a pinch when a recipe calls for a small amount of sumac.
    • Sumac powder should be stored in the freezer, especially if you don't use it very often. Some sumac powders have more moisture than others and tend to spoil when stored like the rest of your spices.
    • Sumac comes in a variety of shades from bright red, to a deep shade of purple. The grind also varies from fine to coarse. The color or texture, however, does not affect the flavor.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 4kcal | Carbohydrates: 0g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @HildasKitchenBlog or tag #HildasKitchenBlog!
    « Loquat Margaritas and Other Loquat Recipes
    Musakhan | Sumac Chicken & Onions on Flatbread »

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Peby says

      July 25, 2021 at 6:15 pm

      Wow, I just know that there is poisonous sumac. Thank you, this is a great post!

      Reply
      • Hilda Sterner says

        July 25, 2021 at 8:54 pm

        Every time I serve sumac, my husband tells the guests it's "poison sumac." 🤦‍♀️

        Reply
        • Peby says

          July 26, 2021 at 4:55 am

          5 stars
          I can imagine he's saying that :')

          Reply

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