Make this 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!) at home, and you’ll never look back! This creamy, garlicky sauce is perfect for slathering on shawarma, dipping fresh bread, or even marinating meats and vegetables. In just five minutes, you can create a restaurant-quality garlic sauce that’s rich in flavor and utterly addictive. It’s suitable for any occasion, from casual family dinners to fancy gatherings.

Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tools and Preparation
- Essential Tools and Equipment
- Importance of Each Tool
- Ingredients
- How to Make 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)
- Step 1: Prepare Garlic Cloves
- Step 2: Remove Garlic Germs
- Step 3: Blend Garlic Mixture
- Step 4: Add Oil for Emulsification
- Step 5: Emulsify Mixture
- Step 6: Store Your Toum
- How to Serve 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)
- With Shawarma
- As a Dip
- With Grilled Chicken
- On Sandwiches
- With Roasted Vegetables
- In Salads
- How to Perfect 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)
- Best Side Dishes for 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerator Storage
- Freezing 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)
- Reheating 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I serve 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)?
- Can I make 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!) with olive oil?
- How long does homemade toum last?
- Can I customize my 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)?
- Is it safe to eat raw garlic in toum?
- Final Thoughts
- 📖 Recipe Card
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This recipe takes only 5 minutes to prepare without the need for a food processor.
- Flavor Explosion: The combination of fresh garlic and tangy lemon juice creates a bold taste that enhances any dish.
- Versatile Use: Perfect as a dip, spread, or marinade; it fits seamlessly into various cuisines.
- Long-Lasting Storage: Keep your toum in the fridge for up to 3 months—great for meal prep!
- No Special Equipment Needed: All you need is an immersion blender and a jar.
Tools and Preparation
Before diving into the recipe, gather your kitchen tools. Having everything ready will help streamline your cooking process.
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Immersion blender
- Long jug or jar
- Measuring cups
- Knife
- Cutting board
Importance of Each Tool
- Immersion blender: This tool allows you to blend your ingredients directly in the jar, making cleanup a breeze.
- Long jug or jar: A tall container helps keep the mixture contained while emulsifying the toum.
Ingredients
For this delicious 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!), you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup peeled garlic cloves (155 grams) (pre-peeled works as long as they are fresh)
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 cups neutral vegetable oil (Avocado oil)
How to Make 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)
Step 1: Prepare Garlic Cloves
Start by peeling the garlic cloves if you don’t have pre-peeled ones. I use pre-peeled as long as they are fresh from the store.
Step 2: Remove Garlic Germs
Cut the peeled garlic cloves in half lengthwise and remove the green germ if it’s there. When present, the garlic germ may make the toum bitter.
Step 3: Blend Garlic Mixture
In a long jug or jar that fits your immersion blender, place the garlic, lemon juice, and salt. Blend them together until they form a paste and develop some foam, for roughly 20-30 seconds depending on the power of your blender.
Step 4: Add Oil for Emulsification
To the garlic paste, while the immersion blender is still inside the container, add the 2 cups of oil.
Step 5: Emulsify Mixture
Start blending, keeping the blades of the immersion blender at the bottom of the jar. Slowly pulse it up and down slightly. Do this for 3-5 minutes until the oil and garlic start to emulsify. The emulsification will slowly work its way up the jar until the whole sauce is well combined.
Step 6: Store Your Toum
Store in an airtight mason jar in the fridge for 2-3 months. Enjoy your homemade toum with various dishes!
How to Serve 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)
This 5-Minute Toum is a versatile sauce that can elevate many dishes. Whether you’re enjoying it with grilled meats or as a dip, here are some fantastic ways to serve it.
With Shawarma
- Slather the toum on your favorite shawarma wrap for a burst of garlicky flavor.
As a Dip
- Serve toum alongside fresh vegetables or pita chips for a tasty appetizer.
With Grilled Chicken
- Use the sauce as a marinade for grilled chicken to infuse it with rich garlic flavor.
On Sandwiches
- Spread toum on sandwiches instead of mayonnaise for an exciting twist.
With Roasted Vegetables
- Drizzle this garlic sauce over roasted vegetables to enhance their taste and add creaminess.
In Salads
- Mix toum into salads instead of dressing for a bold flavor profile.

How to Perfect 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)
To achieve the best results with your 5-Minute Toum, consider these helpful tips:
- Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves yield the best flavor. Avoid old, sprouting garlic for optimal taste.
- Check Your Emulsification: Ensure you blend the oil slowly at first. This helps create a stable emulsion.
- Adjust Lemon Juice: Feel free to tweak the lemon juice amount based on your tanginess preference.
- Store Properly: Keep the toum in an airtight jar in the fridge to maintain freshness for up to three months.
- Experiment with Oils: Try using different neutral oils like sunflower or canola for varied flavors.
Best Side Dishes for 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)
Pairing side dishes with your 5-Minute Toum can create a delightful dining experience. Here are some suggestions:
- Falafel: Crispy falafel balls complement the garlicky richness of toum beautifully.
- Tabbouleh: This fresh, herbaceous salad is a perfect contrast to the creamy texture of toum.
- Grilled Vegetables: Smoky, charred veggies pair well with this vibrant garlic sauce.
- Hummus: Enjoy both dips together; they make an excellent combination.
- Pita Bread: Warm pita is perfect for dipping into toum or spreading on top.
- Rice Pilaf: Fluffy rice pilaf offers a neutral base that enhances the flavor of toum.
- Stuffed Grape Leaves: These savory bites work well dipped in toum, adding extra zest.
- Roasted Potatoes: Crispy roasted potatoes are delicious when drizzled with this creamy garlic sauce.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making toum at home can be easy, but some common mistakes can ruin the flavor or texture. Here are a few to watch out for:
- Using stale garlic: Fresh garlic is crucial. Stale or old garlic can lead to bitterness in your toum. Always choose fresh cloves.
- Not removing the green germ: The germ inside garlic cloves can make your toum taste bitter. Always check and remove this before blending.
- Adding oil too quickly: Pouring in all the oil at once can prevent proper emulsification. Add it slowly while blending for the best texture.
- Skipping emulsification: If you don’t blend long enough, your toum may not thicken properly. Blend until fully emulsified for a creamy consistency.
- Improper storage: Storing toum in non-airtight containers can cause spoilage. Use a mason jar with a tight lid to keep it fresh.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!) in an airtight mason jar.
- It will last up to 2-3 months in the fridge.
Freezing 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)
- You can freeze toum in ice cube trays for easy portioning.
- Once frozen, transfer cubes to a freezer-safe bag and label them.
Reheating 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)
- Oven: Preheat on low heat; place toum in an oven-safe dish and warm gently to avoid separation.
- Microwave: Heat on low power in short bursts of 10-15 seconds, stirring between intervals.
- Stovetop: Use a small saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently to maintain consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about making and using 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!).
How do I serve 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)?
You can serve it as a dip, spread it on sandwiches, or use it as a marinade for meats and vegetables.
Can I make 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!) with olive oil?
While you can use olive oil, it may change the flavor profile. A neutral oil like avocado is recommended for traditional taste.
How long does homemade toum last?
Homemade toum stored properly in the fridge will last for about 2-3 months without losing its flavor or quality.
Can I customize my 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)?
Yes! You can add herbs or spices like parsley or cayenne pepper for extra flavor.
Is it safe to eat raw garlic in toum?
Yes, raw garlic is safe to eat and provides health benefits. However, consume it in moderation if you’re sensitive to strong flavors.
Final Thoughts
This 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!) recipe is not only quick but also incredibly versatile. Whether you’re using it as a dip, spreading it on sandwiches, or marinating proteins, this garlic sauce is sure to impress. Feel free to customize it with herbs or spices to suit your taste!
Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe? Please rate this recipe with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or leave a comment.
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5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 16 servings (240 grams total) 1x
Description
Experience the rich flavors of Mediterranean cuisine with this 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!). This creamy garlic sauce is incredibly easy to make and perfect for slathering on shawarma, dipping fresh bread, or marinating meats and vegetables. In just five minutes, you’ll have a restaurant-quality sauce that’s both versatile and addictive. Made with fresh garlic and tangy lemon juice, this toum brings a bold flavor explosion to any dish—making it an essential addition to your culinary repertoire. Plus, it can be stored in the fridge for up to three months, so you’ll always have this delightful condiment on hand for family dinners or fancy gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup peeled garlic cloves (155 grams)
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 cups neutral vegetable oil (e.g., avocado oil)
Instructions
- Peel garlic cloves if necessary.
- Halve the garlic cloves and remove any green germ.
- In a tall jar, blend garlic, lemon juice, and salt until a paste forms (20-30 seconds).
- While blending, slowly add in the oil until emulsified (3-5 minutes).
- Store in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 233mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg





