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.
Try SnapCalorie's FREE AI assisted nutrition tracking free in the App store or on Android.
Scan with your phone to download!
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
Directions
Step 1
Peel the garlic cloves completely, removing any skin or green sprouts (if present) to avoid bitterness.
Step 2
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.
Step 3
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.
Step 4
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.
Step 5
If the emulsion gets too thick or starts to separate, add 1 teaspoon of ice water to bring the mixture back together.
Step 6
Process the mixture until it becomes a thick, fluffy, and white sauce. This may take 10-15 minutes of slow, consistent blending.
Step 7
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
| Serving size | (1221.6g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 6592.9 |
| Total Fat 710.4g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 50.8g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 711.2mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 128.3g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 12.4g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 3.0g | |
| Protein 24.4g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 607.2mg | 0% |
| Iron 12.1mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1563.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories