Thum Garlic Sauce Lebanon Middle East
Elevate your culinary game with Toum, a traditional Lebanese garlic sauce that’s a staple in the Middle East. This velvety, cloud-like emulsion combines the pungent power of fresh garlic with the brightness of fresh lemon juice, perfectly balanced with neutral oil for a rich, spreadable consistency. With just five simple ingredients—garlic, kosher salt, oil, lemon juice, and ice water—this recipe comes together in just 20 minutes to create a versatile condiment that pairs beautifully with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or warm pita. The key is the slow emulsification process, which transforms raw garlic into a silky, tangy sauce, making it both flavorful and visually stunning. Packed with bold flavors and naturally vegan and gluten-free, Toum is the perfect way to add authentic Mediterranean flair to your meals.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 heads Fresh garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 3 cups Neutral oil (e.g., sunflower or canola)
- 0.5 cup Fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Ice water
Instructions
Peel the garlic cloves completely, removing any skin or green sprouts (if present) to avoid bitterness.
Place the peeled garlic cloves and kosher salt in a food processor. Pulse several times until the garlic is finely minced and has a paste-like texture. Scrape down the sides of the processor bowl as needed.
Begin emulsifying by adding a small drizzle of oil. Run the food processor and, while it’s running, very slowly drizzle in approximately 1/4 cup of oil.
Add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to the garlic mixture while the processor is running to stabilize the emulsion. Then continue adding another small drizzle of oil, followed by a little more lemon juice, alternating slowly between the two until all oil and lemon juice are fully incorporated.
If the emulsion gets too thick or starts to separate, add 1 teaspoon of ice water to bring the mixture back together.
Process the mixture until it becomes a thick, fluffy, and white sauce. This may take 10-15 minutes of slow, consistent blending.
Once complete, transfer the toum to an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 1 month. Serve as a dip or sauce with your favorite dishes.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
6344 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 710.4 g | 911% | |
| Saturated Fat | 50.8 g | 254% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 609 mg | 26% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 61.6 g | 22% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.9 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.8 g | ||
| Protein | 11.1 g | 22% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 292 mg | 22% | |
| Iron | 1.9 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 764 mg | 16% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
