Toum Garlic Sauce: The Ultimate Flavor Booster
Toum is a traditional Lebanese garlic sauce known for its intense garlic flavor and creamy texture. Made with just four simple ingredients—garlic, oil, lemon juice, and salt—it’s a versatile condiment that pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, vegetables, and breads. This vegan-friendly sauce is similar to aioli but boasts a more robust garlic punch.
- Prep Time: 15min
- Cook Time: 0min
- Total Time: 15min
- Yield: Approximately 1½ cups
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Lebanese
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
– 1 cup garlic cloves, peeled (approximately 4 1/2 ounces or 130 grams)
– 1 teaspoon kosher salt
– 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
– 1 1/2 cups neutral oil (such as sunflower, grapeseed, or canola oil)
Instructions
1. **Prepare the Garlic:** Slice each garlic clove lengthwise and remove the green germ to reduce bitterness. Place the peeled garlic cloves and salt in a food processor. Pulse until the garlic is finely minced, scraping down the sides as needed.
2. **Emulsify the Sauce:** With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in ¼ cup of the oil in a thin, steady stream. This gradual incorporation helps create a stable emulsion. After adding the initial oil, pause to scrape down the bowl. Then, with the processor running, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in a slow stream. Repeat this process, alternating between adding ½ cup of oil and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, until all the oil and lemon juice have been incorporated. The sauce should become thick and fluffy.
3. **Adjust Consistency:** If the toum is too thick, you can add a bit of ice water, one teaspoon at a time, to reach your desired consistency.
4. **Store:** Transfer the toum to an airtight container and refrigerate. It can be stored for up to a month. Allow it to come to room temperature and stir before serving.
Notes
– **Oil Selection:** Using a neutral-flavored oil is crucial to let the garlic flavor shine without interference. Avoid oils with strong flavors like olive oil.
– **Emulsification Tip:** The key to a successful toum is the slow incorporation of oil to ensure a stable emulsion. Patience during this step is essential.
– **Serving Suggestions:** Toum pairs excellently with grilled meats like chicken shawarma, roasted vegetables, or as a spread on pita bread.
– **Storage:** The sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a month. Its flavor may mellow over time, so it’s best consumed within two weeks for optimal taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 193kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg