Description
At its core, creamy garlic toum sauce is a traditional Middle Eastern garlic spread celebrated for its intense flavor profile and whipped, cloud-like texture. The word toum translates directly to garlic in Arabic, which leaves no secret as to what ingredient takes center stage. Unlike garlic butter, garlic aioli, or mayonnaise, authentic toum is a pure emulsion of fresh garlic, vegetable oil, sea salt, fresh lemon juice, and ice-cold water.
Ingredients
- ½ cup fresh garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1½ cups neutral oil, such as sunflower, canola, or grapeseed oil
- 2 tbsp ice-cold water
Instructions
1. Prepare the garlic
Remove any green shoots from the center of the garlic cloves, especially if the garlic is older, as they can make the sauce taste bitter.
Add the garlic and salt to a food processor. Blend until the garlic is finely minced, scraping down the sides as needed.
2. Add the lemon juice
Add about 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and blend for another 30–60 seconds.
3. Slowly add the oil
With the food processor running continuously, begin adding the oil very slowly, starting with just a few drops at a time.
Once the mixture starts becoming creamy and emulsified, gradually increase the oil to a thin, steady stream.
4. Alternate lemon juice and water
Every few minutes, add a small amount of the remaining lemon juice or ice-cold water while continuing to blend.
Continue alternating the oil with small amounts of lemon juice and water until all the oil has been incorporated and the toum is thick, smooth, and fluffy.
5. Taste and chill
Taste and adjust the salt or lemon juice if needed.
Transfer the toum to a clean container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. The flavor becomes smoother as it rests.
Notes
Serve toum alongside chicken shawarma, grilled meats, kebabs, roasted potatoes, falafel, pita bread, or fresh vegetables. It also makes an excellent spread for wraps and sandwiches.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Lebanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: ~190 kcal
Keywords: Lebanese garlic sauce, authentic toum recipe, Middle Eastern garlic spread, whipped garlic dip