Super easy tomato and onion salad with sumac is a wonderful fresh side salad to many meals. Made with sliced sweet tomatoes and onion tossed in a herby lemon dressing.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A light and healthy dish that can be enjoyed all year round
- The flavors are refreshing from the combination of sweet tomatoes and onions in a fresh sour dressing
- Served as a side dish or as a topping
- Dietary friendly - vegan, dairy free, nut free, soy free and gluten free
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are notes on some of the ingredients, the complete list with measurements, can be found in the full recipe card below.
Tomatoes should be firm but ripe and cut into bite sized chunks (I like thinly sliced wedges), you can use any variety you like. I love homegrown tomatoes as the flavors are tenfold and tend to be juicier, read more about tomato plants here.
White or red onion which will be sliced. Spring onions or shallots can be used instead if you desire.
Fresh parsley leaves and mint leaves which will be finely chopped. I have sometimes used dried mint instead.
Dressing ingredients
Extra virgin olive oil, if you are on an oil free diet, simply leave this out.
Fresh lemon juice and sumac are both sour and enhance the sweet flavor of the tomatoes.
Sumac is a red powder made from the ground sumac bush, a native plant to the Middle East and Mediterranean region. It can be found at your local Middle Eastern or Mediterranean grocer or you can buy sumac online.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Tip: All ingredients found in the dressing can be adjusted to suit your taste and are always used to make a Lebanese salad.
How to Make Tomato and Onion Salad with Sumac
Step 1 - In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, onion, parsley, and mint.
Step 2 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, sumac, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Variations
This salad can easily accommodate additional ingredients such as capers, freshly chopped cucumbers, toasted nuts and seeds.
Try using basil instead of parsley and mint.
Serving Suggestions
This salad makes the perfect side to many dishes. Try it with mujadaret riz, a famous Lebanese lentil and rice dish or with vegan shish tawook tofu skewers.
I also like the contrast in flavors when eating this with potato and tofu scramble.
Or chop this salad finely and use it as a topping for sandwiches, toast, toasted pita bread or a plate of greens.
❓FAQ
Yes, prepare and chop the onions, tomatoes, herbs and store them separately in a sealed container in the fridge. Whisk the salad dressing and store in the fridge also in a sealed container. Combine ingredients up to 30 minutes prior to serving.
Related Recipes
Want more salads with sumac? Try my fatush salad or this simple arugula salad called rocca salad.
You might also like authentic Lebanese taboule salad or this ultra delicious salata tahini.
Or for another simple side salad, try my super delicious raw mushroom salad or this olive salad by the Healing Tomato
Did you make this? I'd love to know! Leave me a comment below with a ★★★★★ star rating or tag @plantbasedfolk on social media.
Recipe
Easy Tomato and Onion Salad with Sumac
Ingredients
- 3 medium tomatoes sliced into thin wedges
- 1 small red onion thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons parsley leaves chopped
- 2 tablespoon mint leaves chopped
Dressing
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- ½ tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper or to taste
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, onion, parsley, and mint.3 medium tomatoes, 1 small red onion, 2 tablespoons parsley leaves, 2 tablespoon mint leaves
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, sumac, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly. Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.1 teaspoon sumac, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, ½ tablespoon olive oil, ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper, ½ teaspoon salt
Video
Notes
Nutrition
N.B., nutrition info is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. This will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.
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Lisa
What a flavorful side dish this is! I love how the mint tasted in this, thank you!
Shelby
The fresh tomatoes plus lemon dressing made this salad so fresh and tasty!
Sharina
This salad recipe was so refreshing and incredibly delicious. The herby lemon dressing used in this salad is a winner! We had it with your Lebanese vegetable and nut rice. Yummy.
Don
I just love how fresh and zesty this is! So full of flavour too. We had it with some fresh Lebanese bread and it was so good.
Liz
This was such a great side dish! We had it with gyros and it was lovely!