For the subtle yet refreshing enhancement of poultry, fish and vegetable dishes, Sumac can be sprinkled on dips such as hummus or tzatziki to create a more authentic, original style dip. Popular Sumac substitutes 1 Lemon Zest: This is the most easily available ingredient that can be used as a sumac substitute. Toast sesame seeds in a pan until fragrant and their color starts to change, being careful not to burn them. I use lemon zest and oregano as a substitute for Zatar. One of the tartest tropical fruits you can use in your recipes is the tamarind. In addition, powdered sumac can be used on snacks like popcorn to pump up the flavor a bit more than just salt. Add to a spice jar and store for up to three months. This mixture contains Sumac, hence becomes one of the beat sumac substitutes. This too has a sour flavor and you might need to balance it out with a bit of sugar. 6 Amchoor: Amchoor or mango powder is another ingredient that can be put to use if Sumac is missing. Mix some fresh lemon zest with salt and voila! This item: Sumac Spice 2.0 oz - Zamouri Spices $7.95 ($3.98 / 1 Ounce) In Stock. It has a tangy and sour flavor that is similar to the flavor profile of sumac. Zatar has sumac in it and for fattoush it would be perfect. Sumac, on the other hand, is more tangy and lemony, which is why lemon zest mixed with black pepper is often used as a sumac spice substitute. Your best bet for a sumac substitute is a lemon pepper seasoning. Required fields are marked *. Do use sumac as an alternative to citrus. In western areas of the world, it is also used for souring dishes and adding acid to marinades and dressings without the use of vinegar. sumac, red onion, spice, olive oil, tart, kosher salt, crushed red pepper flakes and 4 more. What’s A Good Sumac Substitute? “It’s … Just squeeze some fresh lemon juice and youll be all set. There are several you can use depending on what you plan to whip up in the kitchen. 5 Lemon Juice: A little bit of lemon juice can also do the trick, especially if you are substituting Sumac in a salad. Vinegar has been used in cooking for thousands of years and adds a tart or sour flavor to many dishes. Best for: marinating fish, poultry, and meat. The fruit has a high concentration of tartness, but it can be adjusted by using a small amount and adding more as is needed. https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-vinegar-1328647, Your email address will not be published. It also has a sour and citrusy flavor that can resemble the taste of sumac. To have the proper taste for sumac dishes, adding salt to the lemon may be needed, but this is a simple process. Your email address will not be published. This makes it an excellent sumac substitute when appropriately used. The convenience really cannot be beaten by the spice blends, since all you have to do is shake it over your recipe. Lemon juice is another option with nutritional value and very little of the calories, fat, and salt. Homemade Za’atar Pitas - Pita bread topped with a popular Middle Eastern spice … But sumac isn’t all lemony – it’s a bit salty too, hence the choice of lemon pepper seasoning as the best sumac substitute. It’s certainly more healthy than other ingredients that are full of salt and saturated fat. One of the many issues with lemon pepper as a sumac substitute is that most of the seasonings come with tremendous amounts of salt. It has the same flavors with a touch of zest, although it has an appearance that is nothing like actual sumac. Best for: curries, beverages, relishes, and sauces. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Add these to the hummus or kebabs you are making and never miss that lemony sumac flavor. It is available as a powder or slices and is commonly used in the northern part of India, which is also where it is primarily produced. It is also a blend that contains a large amount of sodium, so it shouldn’t be used by anyone who needs to adhere to a low sodium diet. Lemon zest and salt is our final sumac alternative and also happens to be one of the easiest to acquire and use. One of the benefits of lemon juice is that it’s convenient and can be made at home. Before lemons were available in the Middle East, sumac was the go-to ingredient for offering a bit of sourness to various dishes. Za’atar is another blend of spices, but unlike lemon pepper, it is a blend that contains sumac. However, if you need sumac just for color and not for flavor, then paprika could be your answer. I often sprinkle it over a platter of grilled vegetables or roasted chicken; it looks as appealing as it tastes. The main advantage of choosing za’atar as an alternative to sumac is that it contains the ingredient you are looking for. 4 Vinegar: Since sumac has a slightly lemony, sour flavor, you can experiment by adding a few drops of vinegar. Ground sumac can be used as is, simply measured from its container. The tart flavored spice is used mainly in Middle Eastern cooking. Some focus more on a flavor exactly like sumac, while others have additional flavor notes to uncover for specific dishes. As a sumac substitute, it can be purchased in several forms, including paste, dried pods, and more. The variety of sumac "Rhus coriaria" is sold as a spice for cooking, and has been used in cooking for millennia. While lemon juice provides the tartness of sumac, it also adds a citrus flavor that may not be wanted in every dish. Those who want to enjoy a sumac substitute that is almost the same as the real thing are going to want to pick up za’atar. Lemon zest seems to be the most obvious sumac alternative because of its tangy, acidic taste. Inspired by chile salt–sprinkled mangos, … Best for: dressings, sauces, pickling, desserts, and condiments. Using it with dishes that typically have citrus tones makes it an excellent alternative to sumac and much easier to get your hands on. (Berries from some of those species can cause skin irritation, so best leave the harvesting to the experts.) Using moderation is essential to attempt this substitution. Like other dried spices, sumac should be stored in an airtight container, away from direct light or heat (i.e. One of the problems that can arise when cooking or baking a dish that uses sumac is that it may be challenging to procure. Lemon pepper seasoning is a spice blend that includes cracked black pepper and dried lemon zest. Sumac is mixed with thyme and sesame seeds to make a mixture called Za'atar. Using citrus fruit generally means adding liquid to your dish, which may not be a good thing in some cases. It offers notes of tartness and astringency, which fit well with poultry and fish dishes. Overall, most of the sumac alternatives are quite healthy. The deep red berries are most often used ground into a powder. It is created using a fermentation method and can be used for all sorts of baked goods and savory dishes. Your best bet: Lemon pepper seasoning. Bella Howard is a contributing writer and foodie with a particular love of Mexican, Chinese and European cuisines as well as being a keen baker and jelly and jam maker extraordinaire. Sumac, as it is used in a culinary context, is the berry part of a sumac tree or shrub, of which there are about 35 species deriving from the genus Rhus. Similar to za'atar, tamarind is also a great solid sumac substitution. Like tamarind, it is often used for souring dishes. The main downfall of using vinegar instead of sumac is that the former is far more acidic than sumac will be. Try it in Richard Blais' Persian Street-Food Inspired Ground Beef Kebabs. Add some to the dish and you will not feel that something is amiss. Our Sumac has a slightly tangy and savoury note and is best used as a seasoning instead of a spice. Best for: salmon, lobster, pasta, chicken, and other seafood. When added to meat before cooking, the reaction during cooking creates a salty notion thus can be used as a salt substitute. The spice blend is made from sumac (another Middle Eastern spice), sesame seeds, dried za’atar and salt. This spice is also easily found at markets, so it offers a much higher level of convenience. Sumac is not related to chillies. However, there are exceptions such as lemon zest and salt and za’atar that contain a large amount of salt. This sumac substitute also typically contains sesame seeds, dried herbs, and salt. Image Courtesy: sabrinaspassions.blogspot.com, Sumac Substitutes: Best Sumac Substitutes. Because of this, individuals have created a large number of substitutes that offer a similar flavor to sumac. Each of the seven listed here is vegan, so you have your choice from among many. It is excellent on kebabs. The taste can be furthered by adding some salt to achieve the zesty flavor for your salads. One of the tartest tropical fruits you … (Based on nutritional information from USDA.). Some people who use za’atar have allergic reactions and should not use the blend of spices. Details. The word sumac is derived from the Arabic summãq, meaning red.And sumac is the common name for shrubs belonging to the Rhus genus; they bear fruit in clusters of orange to russet, and their leaves turn vividly scarlet in fall. It has citric acid. Sumac is a spice that is commonly used in recipes form the Middle East. Best Sumac Substitutes Lemon Juice Lemon pepper seasoning Amchoor Zaatar Tamarind or Vinegar Lemon Juice You are worried because your grilled lamb kofta kebabs wouldn’t be complete without ground sumac. It offers sumac along with other seasonings that work well with it. It’s also a culinary herb called hyssop or Middle Eastern thyme. Sumac 50g. This tart, lemony red spice is harvested from shrubs in the Middle East and traditionally sun-dried. It is often included in samosa fillings, curries, chutneys, and soups. Health Benefits of Sumac The berries have diuretic properties, and are used in bowel complaints and for reducing fever. Anyone who is looking to make these types of meals but who cannot acquire sumac for their kitchen may want to look into a sumac substitute. It is a versatile spice, and can be added to a meat rub, used as a flavoring in vegetable dishes (such as eggplant), and is the perfect seasoning for homemade hummus.Sumac is an ideal match for lamb and duck as it cuts through the fattiness of the meat. 1 Lemon Zest: This is the most easily available ingredient that can be used as a sumac substitute. (Based on nutritional information from EatThisMuch.). First is lemon zest. Popular Sumac substitutes Aleppo pepper is available at Penzeys as well as sumac and Zatar. Learn how your comment data is processed. The juice won’t last for a very long time, so it’s best to create it right before you need to add it to your recipe. Having a sumac substitute is essential for many people, most notably those who aren’t located in the Middle East or the Mediterranean. You have an alternative ready. Ideally, add both to your spice cabinet to bring a good mix of flavor and health benefits into your diet and take advantage of what each has to offer. As noted, vinegar is an ingredient in cooking that is sour and tart, which makes it similar to sumac. This is a convenient choice since the ingredients are found nearly everywhere, and you can make it all on your own. It’s used in Turkish, Arabic, and Levantine dishes and adds a particular flavor that builds on the recipe’s other ingredients. It will add that fresh citrus flavor but it lacks a little of that depth you’ll find in sumac. Best for: spice rubs for meat, poultry, and fish. Well look no further , if you do not have the popular spice in your kitchen cabinet, try some of these Sumac substitutes. Some kinds of vinegar also have other characteristics, such as fruit vinegar, which has a touch of sweetness added to it. lemon. This version from Turkey is cured with salt to develop notes of sour cherry and cranberry. The acidity contained in the lemon zest in lemon pepper seasoning works well as a replacement for the same acidity found in sumac. Tamarind Best for: curries, beverages, relishes, and sauces. Well, worry no … It’s easy to make at home by cutting up some lemons and squeezing out the liquid inside. Amchoor, which is also known as amchur or aamchur, is made of unripe mango flesh that has been dried. Best for: chutneys, marinades, soups, and curries. Lemons are now used as well, so this makes for an authentic substitute. As mentioned earlier, sumac is typically used in Mediterranean dishes and recipes from the Middle East. Sumac is also available as whole berries. The lack of access to this spice can make it impossible to use without branching out and seeing what alternatives are on the market. Substitute for Sumac Lemon zest with a little salt makes a reasonable stand-in for sumac. SALT SUBSTITUTE - Sumac (Sumak) can also be used as a salt substitute. You have an alternative ready. Since lemon pepper doesn’t have many perks as far as vitamins and minerals, this is a pretty big issue. Lemon pepper seasoning consists of dried lemon zest and cracked black pepper. This spice blend was created for use in Middle Eastern dishes, so it’s likely going to taste great on dishes you make from that region. This is an ingredient that is often used by West Indians and Thai people to create both food and beverages with a bit of sourness. Manti with Buttery Tomato & Garlic Yogurt Sweet Pillar Food. Top 6 Sumac Substitutes That Will Become Your ... - Fitibility It’s especially important to consider if you are eating a low sodium diet. Depending upon the kind of dish you are making, wisely choose your best suited substitute. Since there are various blends of za’atar, choosing the one that best fits the dish you are making is crucial. Sumac once served as the tart, acidic element in cooking prior to the introduction of lemons by the Romans. While you do need to create the lemon juice, it takes very little time to do so, after which you can finish up your recipe and enjoy your meal. That means you are going to need to be cautious when using it. pine nuts, chicken legs, sumac, spices, salt, spices, sumac, olive oil and 5 more. Be cautious about the quantity as sumac is not as sour as vinegar. It also provides trace amounts of calcium, iron, and potassium to keep you in good health. In addition to being one of the spices in the mixture, it’s also often the heaviest of all the other flavors. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Tamarind. Tamarind is an ingredient that offers a reasonable amount of calories and salt, along with potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K. This makes it a healthy option when choosing an alternative to sumac. The flavor of sumac is very distinct but if you can’t find it or run out in the middle of a recipe, there are a few substitutions you can make. We love adding lemon juice at the end of cooking or mixing lemon zest & black peppercorns. 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