Toum, the Lebanese garlic sauce, is a dream come true for garlic lovers. This creamy and flavorful condiment is made with just four ingredients and serves as an incredibly versatile addition to any meal. Whether used as a spread, dip, or dressing, toum brings a robust garlic punch that enhances almost any dish.

What is Toum? Toum translates to “garlic” in Arabic, and it lives up to its name with its intense garlic flavor and light, airy texture. It’s commonly served in Middle Eastern cuisine and is perfect for pairing with grilled meats, vegetables, and bread.

Ingredients:

Fresh peeled garlic
Salt
Lemon juice
Neutral-flavored oil like avocado, grapeseed, or canola

lemon, salt, oil, garlic on a cutting board

Special Equipment:

Food processor

Directions:

Prepare the Garlic: Slice each garlic clove in half and remove the germ to reduce bitterness.

Process Garlic and Salt: Place the garlic and salt in the food processor and pulse until it turns into a paste.

Add Lemon Juice: Incorporate a small amount of lemon juice and continue to process the mixture until smooth.

squeezing lemon in food processor with garlic

Emulsify with Oil: Slowly drizzle in the oil while processing, alternating with lemon juice, until the mixture becomes creamy and resembles the consistency of mayonnaise.

Store: Transfer the toum to an airtight container and refrigerate. It can be stored for up to one month.

How to Enjoy Toum:

As a Condiment: Spread it on pita bread, sandwiches, or wraps.
With Proteins: Serve as a dipping sauce for grilled chicken, beef, or lamb skewers.
As a Dip: Perfect with raw veggies, chips, or crackers.
In Dishes: Mix into pastas or grain bowls for an extra flavor kick.
As a Dressing: Thin with a little water and drizzle over salads.

Is Toum Vegan?

Yes! It boasts a creamy texture that is completely vegan, containing no dairy products.

Making Toum Ahead of Time

Toum’s flavor develops and improves over time, making it a great make-ahead sauce. Prepare it a day in advance to allow the flavors to meld beautifully in the fridge.

Serving Suggestions

Toum is especially delightful when paired with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. Try it with everything from shawarma to falafel, or use it to elevate a simple roasted vegetable platter.

Discover how this simple sauce can transform your meals from ordinary to extraordinary. With its easy preparation and versatile usage, toum is set to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.

Toum (Lebanese Garlic Sauce)

Whip up this creamy, flavorful Toum, a traditional Lebanese garlic sauce made with just four simple ingredients. Perfect as a spread, dip, or dressing, Toum adds a powerful garlic punch to meats, vegetables, and breads, enhancing any dish with its robust and airy texture.

Print Recipe

Course Sauce

Equipment

Food processor

Ingredients

1 cup fresh peeled garlic
2 tsp salt
1/3 cup lemon juice about 3 lemons
2 cups oil

Instructions

Slice garlic cloves in half and remove the germ
Add garlic to food processor along with 1 tsp salt and process until garlic is minced.
Add 1 tbsp lemon juice and process again for about one minute. The garlic should develop into a paste consistency.
Slowly drizzle in the oil. Alternate with a splash of lemon juice after every 1/2 cup of oil until the mixture has turned into a creamy, whipped consistency, similar to mayo.
Keep the sauce in an air tight container and refrigerate for up to 1 month.