Persian Sumac Cucumbers Salad Recipe (2024)

By: Author Tressa Jamil

Posted on - Last updated:

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Pair crisp cucumber slices with tangy sumac, fresh parsley, lemon, and a generous helping of olive oil to make fresh Persian sumac cucumbers. And for all you cucumber lovers, try cucumber beet salad or cucumber carrot salad!

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Persian Sumac Cucumbers Salad Recipe (1)

Table Of Contents

  1. Ingredients You'll Need
  2. Additions and Substitutions
  3. How to Make Sumac Cucumbers
  4. Expert Tips
  5. Serving Suggestions
  6. What to do With the Leftovers
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
  8. Sumac Cucumbers

Ingredients You’ll Need

Persian Sumac Cucumbers Salad Recipe (2)
  • Cucumber: Look for firm, crisp cucumbers without soft spots or blemishes. Persian cucumbers or English cucumbers work well for this recipe.
  • Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice from one lemon is all you need for a nice pop of acidity. Other recipes use red wine vinegar or pomegranate molasses for tartness.
  • Parsley: Fresh parsley adds color to the salad and compliments the flavor of the other ingredients.
  • Spices: Generously season fresh cucumbers with Middle Eastern sumac and salt. Sumac is a floral spice found online and in health stores. However, I recommend visiting a local Middle Eastern store to explore; the ground-up sumac berries give the dish its signature color and flavor.
  • Olive Oil: Be generous with the olive oil; since it is a prominent ingredient, I recommend using high-quality extra-virgin olive oil.

Additions and Substitutions

If you want to add extra flavor to your sumac cucumbers, include diced tomatoes, finely chopped red onions, or fresh fresh mint leaves. If you prefer more heat, add a touch of ground Aleppo pepper.

How to Make Sumac Cucumbers

The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Step 1: Add the ingredients to a serving bowl and massage to combine for about2-3 minutes.

Step 2: Taste and season with sumac. Then, cover and set it aside for at least30 minutesbefore serving.

Expert Tips

  • Use a sharp knife or a mandoline to slice the cucumbers into thin rounds.
  • Let the sumac cucumbers marinate for at least 30 minutes; this allows the flavors to penetrate the cucumber slices more effectively.

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Persian Sumac Cucumbers Salad Recipe (7)

Serving Suggestions

Marinated sumac cucumbers often accompany meat dishes but they also act as a tangy garnish for sandwiches, salad, and soup. Brighten any meal with this healthy side dish.

  • Lamb: Boneless Leg of Lamb
  • Kabobs: Adana Kebab, Shish Kebab, Shish Tawook,Beef Seekh Kabob, Koobideh Kabob, Kefta Kebab,Joojeh Kabob
  • Wraps: Falafel Gyro,Tantuni, Döner Kebab, Shawarma
  • Chicken: BBQ Baked Chicken Legs, Al Faham Chicken

What to do With the Leftovers

  • Refrigerate Store the leftovers in an airtight container for 4-5 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I peel the cucumbers?

Peeling the cucumbers is entirely up to your personal preference. The peel is edible and contains additional nutrients and fiber. However, some people prefer the texture and appearance of peeled cucumbers. If you choose to peel them, use a vegetable peeler.

What is sumac?

Sumac ‘summāq’ means ‘dark red’ in Arabic. Sumac is a spice commonly used throughout the Middle East to top popular meals like fattoush orsumac onions; it comes from sumac berries, which are dried and ground into a coarse red powder for culinary purposes.

What does sumac taste like?

Like lemons, sumac is tart and slightly sweet. The spice is a perfect way to acidity to any meal without citrus.

What are the benefits of sumac?

According to an article written by contributors forLebanese International University, studies show that sumac contains antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, and the spice is helpful for meat tenderization and preservation.

More Mediterranean Recipes:

  • Skhug
  • Shakshuka
  • Saffron Rice
  • Butter Bean Hummus
  • Biwaz

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Persian Sumac Cucumbers Salad Recipe (8)

Sumac Cucumbers

Tressa Jamil

Pair crisp cucumber slices with tangy sumac, fresh parsley and lemon, and a generous helping of olive oil to make fresh Persian sumac cucumbers.

5 from 6 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Marinating Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Turkish

Servings 6 Servings

Calories 775 kcal

Ingredients

  • 5-6 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced into rounds, or 1-2 English Cucumbers
  • 1 lemon, juice
  • 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon sumac, ground
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  • Add the ingredients to a serving bowl and massage to combine for about 2-3 minutes.

  • Taste and season with more sumac. Then, cover and set it aside for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Expert Tips:

  • Use a sharp knife or a mandoline to slice the cucumbers into thin rounds.
  • Let the sumac cucumbers marinate for at least 30 minutes; this allows the flavors to penetrate the cucumber slices more effectively.

Nutrition Disclosure:

  • The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 Serving | Calories: 775 kcal | Carbohydrates: 10 g | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 5 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g | Sodium: 206 mg | Potassium: 186 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 2 g | Vitamin A: 8 IU | Vitamin C: 89 mg | Calcium: 5 mg | Iron: 8 mg

Did you make this recipe? Let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and follow @thejamilghar or tag #thejamilghar on Instagram!

Persian Sumac Cucumbers Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a cucumber and a Persian cucumber? ›

A Persian cucumber is a small, tender cucumber with a smooth exterior, thin skin, and very few seeds. They're narrower than regular cucumbers and have a crisp interior and mild flavor, and they tend to be less watery than other cucumbers.

Can I eat the skin on Persian cucumbers? ›

They are characterized by their cylindrical shape and smooth skin. These vegetables can be eaten with or without the skin, and the flavor will stay the same. These cucumbers grow to be about 4 to 6in in length and have thick dark green skin that's crunchy and usually sweet.

Are Persian cucumbers good for you? ›

There are several potential health benefits of eating Persian cucumbers: They contain antioxidants, which help protect your cells against damage from free radicals, harmful substances that can cause several chronic illnesses, including cancer. Their high water content may also prove beneficial in several ways.

Should you refrigerate Persian cucumbers? ›

Instead, the best place to store Persian cucumbers is at room temperature or in your refrigerator's crisper drawer, on the door, or towards the front of a shelf, where temps are a little warmer.

Why are my Persian cucumbers bitter? ›

Most cucumber plants contain a bitter compound called cucurbitacin, which can be present in the fruit as well as the foliage. One of the most common reasons why a cucumber is bitter is due to heat stress. If a plant is stressed due to heat, it may start producing bitter cucumbers.

What are Persian cucumbers used for? ›

Persian Cucumber Recipes
  • Blackened Salmon with Avocado Cucumber Salsa. Blackened Salmon with Avocado Cucumber Salsa! ...
  • King Oyster Mushroom Vegan Scallops with Cucumber. ...
  • Persian Cucumber Bites. ...
  • Cucumber, Avocado, and Feta Salad.
  • Persian Shirazi Salad.

Why are my Persian cucumbers slimy? ›

Bottom Line. Toss any slimy cucumbers, because the slime is a sign that they have begun to rot. To use up your fresh cucumbers before it's too late, make them the star of a simple Cucumber Sandwich or pair them with other crunchy veggies, like in this recipe for Loaded Cucumber & Avocado Sandwiches.

What kind of cucumber is best for salads? ›

Long English Cucumber

Long English Cucumbers have a good crunch with thin, delicate skin that's easy to digest. The best part: you don't even need to peel them—just slice 'em up and eat them as the perfect quick snack. This type of Cucumber is great in salads as well as a ton of other things, too!

What are the best cucumbers for salad? ›

Slicing cucumbers make the best cucumber salad. For this recipe, we recommend using a seedless variety, such as English cucumbers.

Why do I get heartburn when I eat cucumbers? ›

Cucumbers contain an ingredient called cucurbitacin, which can lead to indigestion in some people who have underlying health and digestive issues. In some cases, eating excessive cucumber can lead to bloating, indigestion and discomfort.

What organ are cucumbers good for? ›

It also makes sure organs like your heart, lungs, and kidneys work the way they should. The lignans may help prevent osteoporosis, heart disease, and some cancers. Antioxidants such as beta carotene in cucumbers can help fight free radicals in your body, unpaired electrons that damage cells and can lead to disease.

Can cucumber reduce belly fat? ›

A: Cucumbers alone cannot directly burn belly fat. To reduce belly fat, you must focus on making healthy dietary choices, exercising regularly, and making lifestyle changes. So while cucumbers can help with weight loss, they will not specifically target belly fat.

Which type of cucumber is the healthiest? ›

When it comes to the nutritional content of cucumbers, there is generally not a significant difference between different varieties in terms of essential nutrients. Most cucumber varieties are low in calories and provide hydration, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

How do you keep Persian cucumbers crisp? ›

Dry the cucumbers thoroughly, as excess water on the surface can encourage spoilage. Once your cucumber is clean and dry, wrap it in a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. This will help to keep condensation and humidity at bay, preventing sogginess, mold, and overall deterioration.

Do Persian cucumbers taste different? ›

Flavor: Persian cucumbers are sweeter and less bitter than regular cucum.

Are Persian cucumbers better than regular? ›

The aforementioned Persian cucumber is the cucumber of choice due to the fact that it is mainly a seedless cucumber with thin skin, making easy to digest. They tend to be shorter than English or Armenian, so they are easier to use up. Great for pickling, Kirby cucumbers have a thicker and bumpy skin.

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