Sumac
Sumac is a deep-red, tangy spice ground from the dried berries of the sumac shrub, a staple across Levantine and broader Middle Eastern cooking. It adds a lemony brightness without any actual citrus — sprinkled over fattoush, hummus, grilled meats, and rice, and it's also a core ingredient in za'atar. This guide covers what to look for, how to use it, and where to buy it near you.
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The most common form — a coarse, deep-red powder sold in bags or jars at Middle Eastern and Mediterranean grocers.
Less common in the US but used to make sumac-ade (a tart, lemonade-like drink) by steeping the berries in water.
Sumac is one of the core ingredients in za'atar, the popular thyme-sesame-sumac spice blend. See our Za'atar guide for more.
Al Wadi, Cortas, and various bulk-bin options are widely stocked at Middle Eastern grocery stores.
Tart and slightly fruity, similar to lemon zest but earthier — it adds acidity to a dish without adding liquid the way lemon juice does.
Sprinkle over fattoush salad, hummus, grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or rice. It's also rubbed onto chicken or fish before cooking (musakhan is a classic sumac-onion chicken dish).
Look for a vivid, deep red-maroon color — pale or brownish sumac has lost potency and freshness.
Keep in an airtight container away from light and moisture; ground sumac keeps its color and tartness for many months when stored properly.
Middle Eastern and Mediterranean grocery stores stock ground sumac in the spice aisle. See our Middle Eastern Grocery Stores Near Me directory to find one nearby.
Culinary sumac (Rhus coriaria) is a different species from poison sumac and is completely safe to eat — the two are related botanically but not the same plant.
In a pinch, a mix of lemon zest and a touch of paprika can approximate sumac's color and tartness, though the flavor isn't identical.
Fattoush salad, hummus toppings, musakhan (sumac-onion chicken), grilled kebabs, and za'atar all rely on sumac for their signature tang.
No — sumac is a single spice, while za'atar is a blend that includes sumac along with thyme, sesame seeds, and salt. See our Za'atar guide for the difference.