What is it?

A berry that is dried and ground into a tart spice, sumac is used throughout the Middle East, often as a stand-in for lemon juice. Though it’s a relative of the itch-inducing plant known as poison sumac, the the variety used in cooking is perfectly safe. Sumac’s tart, astringent flavor marries well with chicken, beef, and even fruit (think apple pie).

How to choose:

In the United States, you’re most likely to find the dried burgundy-colored berries already ground into a powder, though occasionally they’re sold whole. Look for sumac in Middle Eastern markets.

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Recipes

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  Recipe

  Cauliflower Tikka Masala

  Canned fire-roasted tomatoes are an easy way to add slow-cooked depth to this quick weeknight dish, but regular tomatoes can be substituted. Garam masala, an Indian spice mix, is available…

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  Recipe

  Fattoush-ish Bread Salad

  Crumbled feta, red onion, fresh mint, olives, and pita give this bread salad a Mediterranean feel.

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  Recipe

  Yogurt-Marinated Pork Kebabs with Cucumber-Lemon Labneh

  This flavorful dish pairs juicy Middle Eastern-spiced pork with a lemony spread made by straining yogurt to make labneh, an ultra-thick salted yogurt cheese. The pork and labneh both need…

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  Recipe

  Grilled Sweet Potato, Pistachio, and Pomegranate Salad

  Tangy pomegranate, yogurt, and a burst of fresh mint counter the sweetness of the potatoes in a Mediterranean-inspired salad that pairs deliciously with grilled lamb. If you can’t find pomegranate…

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  Recipe

  Roasted Cauliflower and Arugula Salad with Sumac Dressing

  Pair this delicious salad with some toasted flatbread as a vegetarian main course or serve it as a side dish with grilled lamb chops, roast chicken, or seared salmon.

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  Recipe

  Turkish Lamb Köfte

  Found all over Turkey and the Middle East, köfte (KOF-ta) are essentially meatballs, often made from lamb. They’re traditionally served with warm flatbread, raw onions, and plain yogurt, but they're…

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  Recipe

  Toasted Pita with Black Sesame Seeds and Sumac

  This recipe makes more than you need for our summer picnic menu, but you won’t regret it. The pita chips keep well in a sealed bag. The Garlic-Yogurt Sauce makes a great…

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  Recipe

  Sear-Roasted Salmon with Honey-Glazed Fennel

  The richness of sear-roasted salmon is contrasted by the bright, sweet-tart salad of fennel and apple that tops it. This recipe features a few unusual spices, namely tart sumac and…