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A jar on homemade traditional Lebanese Garlic sauce. A spoon contains some of that Toum sauce.

How To Make Traditional Lebanese Garlic Sauce (Toum)


  • Author: Janice Lalonde
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8oz 1x

Description

Elevate your dishes with the velvety goodness of homemade Toum, crafted from simple ingredients and an emulsification process that guarantees incredible flavor. Whether drizzled over Chicken Shawarma or paired with golden French fries, this versatile condiment is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine.


Ingredients

Scale

1/2 Cup of Garlic Clove (2.5 Ounces)

1/2 Cup of Grapeseed oil

1 juice of a Lemon (1/4 Cup)

1/4 Cup of Plain Greek yogurt

1/2 Teaspoon of Sea salt


Instructions

Step 1 – Preparing the Garlic Cloves: 

Start by peeling the skin off the garlic cloves. Place the clove on a cutting board, use a sharp paring knife to remove the root end, and then slice the clove in half. If there’s a green sprout (germ), remove it. 

Step 2 – Blending Garlic and Salt: 

Add all the garlic cloves and half a teaspoon of sea salt to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse the mixture a few times until the garlic cloves are finely minced and well combined with the salt.

Step 3: Add in wet ingredients:

Transfer the minced garlic mixture into a deep, tall container, such as a measuring cup, to accommodate the immersion blender. Add half of the lemon juice and Greek yogurt to the container. Use the immersion blender to blend and combine the ingredients until they form a thick paste. 

Step 4: Emulsification in Action: 

With the immersion blender running, slowly pour the grapeseed oil, little by little, into the mixture. Simultaneously, gradually drizzle the lemon juice, ensuring it intertwines with the oil. Finally, add the remaining Greek yogurt and continue blending until the sauce reaches a mayonnaise-like consistency. 

Step 5: Store your sauce in a Jar:

Once your sauce reaches the desired consistency, transfer it into a glass container or Mason jar. I recommend letting it rest in the refrigerator for a few hours before using it for optimal flavor development. This allows the ingredients to meld together, resulting in a delightful and flavorful Toum sauce.

Notes

Bottled lemon juice can be used as a substitute for fresh lemon (approximately ¼ cup).

The fresh lemon method yields a tastier and fresher sauce, but bottled lemon juice is a suitable alternative.

Use an immersion blender or food processor to emulsify the sauce for the creamiest texture.

Avoid using a Vitamix, as it may overprocess and cause the sauce to break during emulsification. Stick to the immersion blender or food processor for the best results.

Use natural instead of olive oil for an authentic white color and flavor.

Take your time during the emulsification process to prevent the sauce from breaking.

Consider adding Greek yogurt for a milder garlic flavor.

Always remove the garlic germ to avoid bitterness in the sauce.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Sauces and Condiments
  • Method: Emulsification
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keywords: Lebanese cuisine, Mediterranean-style condiments, Middle-eastern sandwich spread, dipping sauce, Toum sauce, Lebanese Garlic sauce, Shawarma garlic sauce.