What is Za'atar and How to Use It (BEST Za'atar Recipes) (2024)

If there is one seasoning blend I absolutely cannot live without, it's za'atar! This aromatic Middle Eastern blend of herbs, sesame seeds, and sumac will transform your cooking. Not all za'atar is created equal, though. Today, let's dig into what is za'atar (spice or herb?). What does quality za'atar consist of? And the many delicious ways to use it!

Be sure to grab my list of 11 BEST za'atar recipes below. From amazingsalads to the best roast chicken, breakfast, and more!

What is Za'atar and How to Use It (BEST Za'atar Recipes) (1)

What is za'atar (zaatar)?

I love highlighting my favorite Mediterranean pantry ingredients, like I do in my Aleppo pepper guide. Today, I'm sharing everything you need to know about one of the most-used seasonings in my spice cabinet, za'atar.

Za'atar (pronounced Zaah-tar) is most identified with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking. A combination of herbs, sesame seeds, sumac, and salt, it is one of the world's unique and best seasonings. It's loaded with bold flavors, has great texture, and even boasts some health benefits--from soothing inflammation to boosting cognition!

Many don’t know this, but the Arabic word Za’atar (zaatar) also describes an actual herb that's in the wild thyme family which starts its life looking more like oregano (Blends that stick to the traditional taste will include Mediterranean wild thyme in them.)

What is Za'atar and How to Use It (BEST Za'atar Recipes) (2)

What’s in it? Not all za'atar is created equal

So, we said Zaatar is a combination of herbs, sesame seeds, and sumac (a tangy red spice from sumac berries - get more info about it in our sumac guide!). How much sumac? White or toasted sesame seeds? What else is added?

There are no official standards out there, and that's why you'll find different variations of zaatar seasoning on the market.

As someone who’s of Mediterranean origins and who has tried many blends over the years (more than I care to remember), I can tell you, not all za’atar is created equal. Taste, texture, and quality will vary a lot.

Sadly, many blends will not include quality herbs. To increase volume and lower prices, cheaper za'atar blends include a large amount of fillers in the form of wheat, flavored ground straw or husk. And many will substitute citric acid for sumac.

What is Za'atar and How to Use It (BEST Za'atar Recipes) (3)

Quality all-natural za'atar seasoning and where to find it

You can find za'atar in the spice section at health food stores or Mediterranean and Middle Eastern grocery stores. My best advice to you is to look at the the label carefully and ask questions. Look for za'atar that contains quality wild thyme (or hyssop) and sumac (not citric acid.)

Make sure the ingredients are all natural and nothing else is added. Look at it carefully, it should have good texture and look more on the green side (like the picture above).

Let me tell you about the blend I use

The Mediterranean Dish za'atar is sourced from trusted suppliers, includes only quality all-natural ingredients, and stays true to traditional taste and texture. An aromatic blend with both earthy and subtle citrus undertones, and just a hint of nuttiness, it includes:

  1. High quality, fragrant French wild thyme, which adds robust flavor along with oregano.
  2. Toasted sesame seeds (as opposed to the standard white), which adds a sweet, nutty flavor
  3. A good amount of quality ground sumac from Mediterranean sumac berries, which adds a subtle lemony and earthy flavor; the perfect balance to the wild thyme and oregano. And a small pinch of kosher salt to round everything out.

Remember, many lower quality zaatar blends substitute citric acid for sumac and add other fillers like wheat and flavored straw to increase volume.

Where to Buy? If you live in the USA, you can find our all-natural za'atar at our online store.

What is Za'atar and How to Use It (BEST Za'atar Recipes) (4)

How to use za'atar (zaatar): 11 BEST Za'atar Recipes

I use zaatar on a regular basis. It's great to simply season some avocados or tomatoes for a snack (drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil), to generously season pillowy homemade bread rolls, to jazz up some breakfast eggs, or to include with olive oil for dipping as part of a big Mediterranean spread.

But I also use it to season salads, meats and even fish. Here are 11 favorite recipes using za'atar:

  • Za'atar Roasted Chicken
  • Chickpea Salad with Eggplants
  • Olive Oil Baked Sweet Potato Fries
What is Za'atar and How to Use It (BEST Za'atar Recipes) (5)
  • Za'atar Garlic Salmon and Veggies
  • Manaqish (Za'atar Flatbread)
What is Za'atar and How to Use It (BEST Za'atar Recipes) (6)
  • Mediterranean Avocado Salad
  • Mediterranean Sweet Potato Toast
  • Mediterranean Breakfast Toast with Hummus
  • Mediterranean Flat Bread with Arugula and Smoked Salmon
  • Pita Breakfast Pizza with Za’atar
What is Za'atar and How to Use It (BEST Za'atar Recipes) (7)

Head over to The Mediterranean Dish Store to grab some today!

Try our Ultimate Mediterranean Spice Bundle Or the Exotic 4 Bundle!

You may also like:

How to make dukkah (Egyptian Dukkah Recipe)

How to make falafel

How to make labneh

I'm Suzy; born and bred right on the shores of the Mediterranean. I'm all about easy, healthy recipes with big Mediterranean flavors. Three values guide my cooking: eat with the seasons; use whole foods; and above all, share! So happy you're here...
Learn More

What is Za'atar and How to Use It (BEST Za'atar Recipes) (2024)

FAQs

What is zaatar and how do you use it? ›

Za'atar can be used as a seasoning, to finish dishes and as a condiment. Use za'atar anywhere you want to add or accentuate bright, herbaceous and earthy flavors, and in dishes that would benefit from a nutty, toasty crunch. Use it as a spice rub for grilled or roasted proteins including chicken, beef, lamb or fish.

Do you use za'atar before or after cooking? ›

Season meat or seafood with za'atar: Sprinkle za'atar on chicken, beef, or seafood before cooking. It gives a great flavor to the protein of your choice. Use za'atar on roasted vegetables: Toss chopped vegetables or chickpeas with olive oil and za'atar seasoning before roasting for an earthy flavor.

What is Za Atar good for? ›

Both thymol and carvacrol have antioxidant, antiseptic and fungicide properties. Thymol has also been shown to help control coughing fits in patients with bronchitis (which might explain why Maimonides recommended za'atar to treat colds). The common za'atar blend contains vitamins A, C, E, and K.

What is za atar in English? ›

Zaatar or Za'tar (zaah-tur) is a common noun in the Arabic language and refers to both a Middle-Eastern herb spice mixture and importantly a distinct herb plant in the mint family. The herbal plant is referred to in English as bible hyssop or Syrian oregano, but the mixture is just called zaatar.

Does zaatar need to be refrigerated? ›

What is the best way to store Za'atar and the Za'atar spread? The dried Za'atar blend can be stored in a cabinet, pantry, or in the fridge to preserve shelf life even longer. It is best to keep your Za'atar Extra Virgin Olive Oil condiment spread in a cabinet, pantry, on counter, and not in the fridge.

Can I eat zaatar everyday? ›

There have been studies claiming that regular consumption of za'atar in your diet can improve your brainpower and cognition. The spice blend contains circulation-boosting power due to its rich mineral content that can enhance your brain and incite neural activity.

Where do you put Zaatar? ›

How to use Zaatar Spice? Keep this seasoning blend handy and you will think of it as a finishing flavor for all kinds of dishes, like fried eggs, salad dressings, roasted and fresh vegetables and chicken, dips such as hummus and baba ganoush, bread, potatoes, atop avocado toast and kale chips.

Why is my Zaatar bitter? ›

The two things to remember about zaatar is that it will burn and become bitter at high temperatures and that it loses aroma and pungency with age.

Is Za Atar hot or spicy? ›

Za'atar is a wonderfully tangy, herb-forward Middle Eastern spice blend.

Does zaatar cause high blood pressure? ›

Za'atar has been shown to help people with bronchitis stop coughing fits, and dried sumac, which is one of the main ingredients, has been shown to lower blood pressure and help people with type 2 diabetes.

Is zaatar inflammatory? ›

2. Anti-inflammatory Properties: Many of the herbs in za'atar, like thyme and oregano, contain compounds that possess anti-inflammatory properties, potentially aiding in reducing inflammation in the body.

Is zaatar good for your stomach? ›

Za'atar compounds have also been studied from a gastrointestinal perspective, concerning both gut microbiota and gastrointestinal diseases. Antioxidants such as Za'atar polyphenols may provide beneficial effects in the complex interplay between the diet, gut microbiota, and intestinal permeability.

What spices go well with Zaatar? ›

If you're cooking with za'atar, you don't need any other spices—it can hold its own. But I'm not going to stop you from pairing it with garlic, fresh tender herbs, lemon, toasted nuts, and chile flakes.

What spice is similar to Zaatar? ›

If you don't have za'atar available to you, there are other spices that can get the job done as well.
  • Ground thyme.
  • Oregano.
  • Marjoram.
  • Cumin.
  • Coriander.
  • Use a mix of all of the above spices with sumac and toasted sesame seeds for best results.
Jan 17, 2020

Is sumac spice the same as Zaatar? ›

Some uncommon Middle Eastern spices such as sumac, za'atar, and dukkah have become my go-to's. They're perfect on fish, salads, meats, and vegetables. Sumac is a red-purple powder that adds a lovely lemony flavor and gorgeous color. Za'atar is a lemony hyssop or thyme, sumac, and sesame seed blend.

Does zaatar lower blood pressure? ›

Za'atar has been shown to help people with bronchitis stop coughing fits, and dried sumac, which is one of the main ingredients, has been shown to lower blood pressure and help people with type 2 diabetes.

What's the difference between zaatar and sumac? ›

Some uncommon Middle Eastern spices such as sumac, za'atar, and dukkah have become my go-to's. They're perfect on fish, salads, meats, and vegetables. Sumac is a red-purple powder that adds a lovely lemony flavor and gorgeous color. Za'atar is a lemony hyssop or thyme, sumac, and sesame seed blend.

How is zaatar pronounced? ›

Zaatar. and the first sounds like za ah open mouth ah. Zaatar and you can put a little rolling r in the end if you want. and don't be afraid to do the little accent tar instead of tur.

What is the difference between zaatar and thyme? ›

Za'atar is both the name for wild thyme, a herb that grows primarily in the hills of the eastern mediterranean and most importantly, the name of a spice mix that has many variations in the middle east. “There are 22 herb species referred to as za'atar in the region.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Velia Krajcik

Last Updated:

Views: 6474

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Velia Krajcik

Birthday: 1996-07-27

Address: 520 Balistreri Mount, South Armand, OR 60528

Phone: +466880739437

Job: Future Retail Associate

Hobby: Polo, Scouting, Worldbuilding, Cosplaying, Photography, Rowing, Nordic skating

Introduction: My name is Velia Krajcik, I am a handsome, clean, lucky, gleaming, magnificent, proud, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.