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 7 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.

How many Persian cucumbers can I eat a day? ›

As many as you want provided you are eating other vegetables. Cucumber will provide you with potassium, fiber, vitamin C as well as other nutrients.

Are Persian cucumbers healthy 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.

Why are my Persian cucumbers bitter? ›

The bitterness in cucumbers is produced by the compound cucurbitacin. Cucurbitacins are normally found in the leaves, stems, and roots of cucumber plants. The cucurbitacins spread from the vegetative parts of the plant into the cucumber fruit when plants are under stress.

Why are my Persian cucumbers slimy? ›

When cucumbers have a slimy film or start to get mushy, that's a sign that they've gone bad and should be composted.

Are Persian cucumbers just mini cucumbers? ›

Persian cucumbers, also known as mini cucumbers or baby cucumbers, are a smaller and thinner variety of cucumber compared to regular cucumbers.

Why is my cucumber salad watery? ›

When it comes to making the best cucumber salads, I find that unless you take the time to properly salt and drain the cukes, the end product is watery, limp, and less than tasty. This easy extra step makes extra crunchy slices, takes almost no effort at all, but gives a big payout in the crunch department.

Should cucumbers be peeled for salads? ›

Should you peel your cucumbers for cucumber salad? Again, it depends on the variety and maturity of the cucumber. English or Persian cucumbers have thin skins which you do not need to peel. Regular market cucumbers may have thicker peels that can be tough and bitter, so it's best to peel those.

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.

Are Persian cucumbers healthier than regular cucumbers? ›

Better skin and Hair: Persian Cucumbers are great source of different nutrients like water, potassium, sulfate and vitamins A and C and natural anti-inflammatories that soothe and calm skin conditions like sunburns.

Why are Persian cucumbers so good? ›

Persian cucumbers are thin-skinned and only grow to be about five to six inches long and remain quite narrow. These baby cukes are nearly seedless and extra crisp rather than watery, and have a mild, sweet flavor that's easy to fall for.

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 cut Persian cucumbers? ›

Step 1: Slice the cucumber in half lengthwise. Step 2 (optional): Use the tip of a spoon to scrape out the seeds. Step 3: Cut the halves in half lengthwise, so you have four total spears. You can cut the spears widthwise, depending on the desired length, to make smaller spears.

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.

What is the best way to eat raw cucumbers? ›

Raw. We saved the best (and easiest) for last – eating raw Cucumbers is by far the most nutritious way to enjoy this refreshing superfood. Eat them as an on-the-go snack, chop them up for a light salad, or slice up and dip them in your favorite spreads – it's hard to beat the refreshing crunch of a raw Cucumber.

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.

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