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As it goes with many herbs and spices, there is nothing exactly like sumac. But as with all cooking, sometimes you need to improvise.
If you don’t have sumac in the kitchen, the recipe won’t be exactly the same, but you can make it similar in all the right ways. Sumac can generally be found in the international section of a grocery store, but if you can’t seem to locate any, here’s what to do.
What is Sumac?
Sumac is a seasoning made from dried shrub berries that comes from a sumac flower. This seasoning originated in and is often used for Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines.
Sumac is very similar to several citrus fruits. Sumac will have a bright tang and sourness like a lemon, which pairs well with strong herbs like sage, thyme, and mint. These flavors, as well as the food it is paired with, are what bring cuisines like we see in the Middle East together.
Sumac is perfect for dishes that need a hint of acidity. Sumac is generally added at the end of the cooking process if you are seasoning food. However, sumac is also used to braise meats and fish, transform dairy like yogurt or cheese, and dress vegetables and salads.
What to Substitute for Sumac
Sumac is acidic, but it can also be more floral and earthy. To mimic these flavors, there are several replacements that can come in handy. Generally, what you use should be citrusy, tangy, and earthy. It will be tough to resemble the floral notes of sumac, but these berries do bloom from flowers.
Lemon Zest
Mix lemon zest with salt and you have as good a substitute for sumac as you can get. While lemon zest might not have the acidity of sumac, it does have similar sourness and floral characteristics. If you use this in your cooking, the finished product will definitely have a bright tang. A fresh squeeze of lemon juice won’t hurt either if you want to increase the acidity.
Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Lemon pepper seasoning has two parts: lemon zest and black pepper. It’s a great spice to have on hand and probably in most kitchens. If you need a quick fix in a pinch, this is probably your best bet.
Za’atar
Za’atar might be a good option because it likely has sumac or sumac seeds in it. A classic za’atar includes four ingredients: sumac, thyme, sesame seeds, and salt. Za’atar is a blend, so some may be different from others. You may find blends that also include oregano, marjoram, cumin, or coriander.
Tamarind
Tamarind is a complex flavor. It has hints of caramel and molasses — and a nice amount of acidity that works well to replace something like sumac. The acidity won’t be as strong but we can promise the dish will still be delicious.
Tamarind is somewhat sour like sumac, so all these traits make it a good compliment to the berry seasoning. If you do cook with tamarind, just make sure to add it at the beginning of the cooking process.
Amchoor
Amchoor is an Indian spice made from unripe dried mangoes and used as a citrusy seasoning at the end of cooking. The dried powder is zesty with a sweet and sour flavor. This seasoning is similar to sumac and can also be found at groceries stores in the same aisle.
Coriander and Lemon Juice
Mixing a teaspoon of coriander with some lemon juice is a nice way of getting both acid and sour flavors into your meal. Coriander is astringent, like sumac, so this seasoning is one that can provide a similar touch.