If you’re looking to add a burst of vibrant, citrusy flavor to your cooking, sumac is the spice you need. Made from dried and ground red berries, sumac is a staple in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. Its deep crimson color and tangy, lemon-like taste bring brightness to everything it touches without the sharpness of actual citrus juice.

Think of sumac as the finishing touch that instantly wakes up a dish. Sprinkle it over salads, roasted vegetables, or grilled meats for a pop of color and a subtle acidity that ties all the flavors together. It’s especially delicious paired with olive oil, garlic, and herbs, making it perfect for marinades, dressings, and rubs.

In this roundup, you’ll find plenty of ways to bring sumac into your kitchen. From bold main dishes like Lemon Garlic Dijon Chicken and Grilled Baby Chicken, to colorful sides like Mediterranean Cabbage Salad, Fatoosh Quinoa Salad, and Spiced Carrots with Chickpeas and Herbs. Try Steak Salad with Sumac Red Onions for a restaurant-worthy lunch or Roasted Vegetable Chummus Platter for a vibrant appetizer that doubles as a show-stopping centerpiece.

No matter which recipe you start with, a pinch of sumac is all it takes to make every bite brighter.

1. Steak Salad with Sumac Red Onions by Susie Fishbein

Sumac bushes, which grow in the Middle East, produce deep reddish/purplish berries. The berries are ground to make a spice that adds a tart lemony flavor to recipes. Sumac is a great way to add an acidic balance with a gorgeous pop of color to a dish. Dust it on chicken, hummus, in olive oil, any dish that uses feta … the list goes on and on. Sumac is often an ingredient in the popular za’atar spice blend.

2. Shake ’n Bake Chicken Poppers by Tanya Ohana

Who doesn’t love a good SHAKE’N BAKE chicken recipe? These chicken poppers are the perfect easy, delicious, crowd-pleasing dinner! The best is that they’re baked.

3. Spiced Carrots with Chickpeas and Herbs by Adina Silberman

4. Pizza Bassar by Chanie Apfelbaum

5. Mediterranean Cabbage Salad by Marla Rottenstreich

As a busy working mom, fitness instructor and wellness coach, I understand the need to prepare meals that are healthy, can be made days in advance, and within a tight budget (and timeframe!). This hardy cabbage salad with peppers and radishes checks all the boxes.

6. Lemon Garlic Dijon Chicken by Chaya Suri Leitner

This dinner is super easy and so flavorful, a nice change from the typical. You can even serve it for your Friday night seudah.

7. Fatoosh Quinoa Salad by Beth Warren

Quinoa is one of the most versatile, cost-effective, and nutrient-dense whole grains. A one-cup serving of quinoa has eight grams of protein and five grams of fiber, keeping you full and satisfied longer.

Although most of us are familiar with this gluten-free option, we struggle to find recipes that keep it exciting. As a Sephardi, my cultural background is in Middle-Eastern cuisine. My flavor profile gravitates to the more lemony palate, and I enjoy spices that fire up my taste buds. I used my flavor forte in this recipe by doing a play on the classic Fatoosh Mediterranean Salad…but with quinoa as a base!

If you want to experiment with an intense flavor shakeup and impress both your guests and your palate, this recipe is for you!

8. Pita Chip Salad by Shoshy Lefkovitz

This classic salad is given a Middle Eastern spin with crushed pita chip croutons and a sumac dressing. Sumac is a burgundy-colored spice that lends a lemony punch to the dressing. It’s also great for meat rubs, hummus toppings, and roasted vegetables.

9. Shawarma Salad Platter by Michal Frischman

We had a fun time experimenting with ways to cook this chicken as real-deal shawarma (using a homemade rotisserie consisting of skewers and a huge onion) but the truth is, it’s so much easier and quicker to just grill the chicken the easy way. If you’re more of a hobbyist than I am and have a rotating rotisserie for your grill, more power to you! This recipe is super easy and customizable, perfect for a crowd, a regular weeknight dinner, or company.

10. Broiled Salmon with Lemon Broccoli by Chaya Suri Leitner

This supper comes together very quickly, and it’s delicious and healthy. Bonus points: It’s a favorite among my kids, who may or may not enjoy it with a large serving of mayo on the side. But hey, I’m all about balance!

11. Roasted Vegetable Chummus Platter by Brynie Greisman

A chummus platter topped with a spectacular array of colorful, crispy roasted veggies and drizzled with an herby, tangy dressing. We couldn’t get enough of it!

12. Minty Winter Salad with Crispy Bulgur-Chestnut Topping by Brynie Greisman

I created this vibrant salad by combining varying textures and flavors. I love how it’s visually appealing and incredibly enjoyable to eat. The combo of mint and citrus in the dressing is so refreshing and ties it all together. The crispy garnish adds a surprising, welcome crunch. An unforgettable salad!

13. Grilled Baby Chicken by Chaya Suri Leitner

This dish is the perfect balance between light and filling, and the best part is serving it as DIY pita sandwiches, which makes the kids feel like they prepared it themselves.