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side view of Turkish red onions in a white bowl, a spoon of sumac just visible to the right

Turkish Onions

Robyn
These delicious Turkish onions with sumac and parsley are the best condiment, and go with so many dishes, from meats to sandwiches! They are also a great Turkish mezze dish.
4.75 from 4 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
soaking onions 30 minutes
Course Dips | Sauces, Side Dish
Cuisine Middle Eastern, Turkish
Servings 4 people
Calories 44 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 red onion peeled and finely sliced
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice From approx ½ a lemon
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons sumac
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt

Instructions
 

  • Peel and finely slice the red onion - cut in half and then finely slice in to moon shapes.
  • Soak the sliced onion in water for 30 minutes (this step is optional)
  • Drain the onions then pat dry on kitchen paper towel.
  • Place the onions in a mixing bowl.
  • Whisk the lemon juice and oil together.
  • Add the sumac, chopped parsley and salt to the onions with the lemon dressing.
  • Stir well to combine - use your hands to massage the lemon flavour into the onions.
  • Store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Their flavour will mellow the longer they are kept.

Notes

Red onions - red onions are sweeter than brown or white onions, and I do think add a nicer flavour to this quick pickle, but you can use white onions if you prefer.
Sumac - this popular Middle Eastern spice is the star of the dish, what makes this go from a simple red onion salad to a sumac onion salad! It is available in supermarkets and wholefoods/spice stores.
Fresh parsley - chopped parsley adds beautiful specks of green amongst the sumac red onions, but you can leave this out if you don't have any.
Lemon juice - you can use red wine vinegar as an alternative to lemon juice.
Extra virgin olive oil - use the best olive oil you can, for a greater flavour in your onion salad.
Additions: some people like to add a sprinkling of red pepper flakes or drizzle of pomegranate molasses to their sumac onions.

Nutrition

Calories: 44kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 53mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 85IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg
Keyword red onion salad, sumac, sumac onions

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