5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)

Make this delicious 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!) at home, and elevate your meals with this creamy garlic sauce. Perfect for slathering on sandwiches, serving as a dip, or marinating proteins and vegetables, this toum is sure to impress. Best of all, it comes together in just 5 minutes without a food processor! Its rich flavor and versatility make it a standout addition to any culinary occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: This recipe takes just 5 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
• Flavor Explosion: Packed with bold garlic and zesty lemon flavors, this toum will enhance any dish you pair it with.
• Versatile Uses: Use it as a dip, spread it on wraps, or drizzle over grilled meats and vegetables for added flavor.
• No Special Equipment Needed: You don’t need a food processor; just an immersion blender makes this recipe simple.
• Long-Lasting: Store your toum in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 2-3 months—if it lasts that long!

Tools and Preparation

Before getting started on your toum, gather the essential tools you’ll need. The right equipment can make all the difference in achieving the perfect consistency.

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Immersion blender
• Long jug or jar
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Airtight mason jar

Importance of Each Tool

• Immersion blender: This tool allows you to blend ingredients directly in the container, making emulsification easier without transferring mixtures.
• Long jug or jar: A tall container helps keep the ingredients contained while blending, promoting better emulsification.

Ingredients

For the Garlic Base

• 1 cup peeled garlic cloves (155 grams) – fresh pre-peeled works best.
• 1/2 cup lemon juice

For Flavoring

• 2 teaspoons salt

For Emulsification

• 2 cups neutral vegetable oil (Avocado oil)

How to Make 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)

Step 1: Prepare the Garlic

Start by peeling the garlic cloves if they are not already pre-peeled. I recommend using fresh pre-peeled garlic from the store for convenience.

Step 2: Remove Green Germs

Cut each peeled garlic clove in half lengthwise and check for any green germ inside. If present, remove it as it can add bitterness to your toum.

Step 3: Blend Garlic Mixture

In your long jug or jar that fits the immersion blender, add the garlic cloves, lemon juice, and salt. Blend these ingredients together until they form a paste and develop some foam. This should take about 20-30 seconds depending on your blender’s power.

Step 4: Add Oil Gradually

While keeping the immersion blender submerged in the garlic paste, slowly pour in the 2 cups of neutral vegetable oil.

Step 5: Emulsify the Mixture

Begin blending again while keeping the blades at the bottom of the jar. Pulse slightly up and down for about 3-5 minutes until you see emulsification occur. The mixture will gradually thicken and rise up through the jar.

Step 6: Store Your Toum

Once fully emulsified, transfer your toum into an airtight mason jar. Store in the fridge where it can last for 2-3 months—if you can resist eating it all before then!

How to Serve 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)

This creamy garlic sauce is versatile and can enhance many dishes. Whether you’re using it as a dip or adding it to your main course, there’s no wrong way to enjoy toum. Here are some delicious serving suggestions.

With Shawarma

• Slather toum on your favorite chicken or beef shawarma for an extra kick of flavor.

As a Dip

• Serve it alongside fresh vegetables or pita bread for a tasty appetizer that your guests will love.

In Sandwiches

• Spread toum on sandwiches instead of mayo for a zesty alternative that pairs perfectly with grilled meats.

Marinating Proteins

• Use toum as a marinade for chicken, lamb, or turkey to infuse them with rich garlic flavor before grilling or roasting.

On Roasted Vegetables

• Drizzle this sauce over roasted veggies for an added depth of flavor that makes them irresistible.

With Grilled Fish

• Pair toum with grilled fish for a refreshing contrast to the smoky flavor of the charred seafood.

How to Perfect 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)

To achieve the best consistency and flavor in your toum, keep these tips in mind. They will help you master this easy recipe in no time!

• Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves yield the best flavor. Avoid any that look dried out or sprouted.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure all ingredients, especially the oil, are at room temperature for better emulsification.
• Slowly Add Oil: When blending, gradually add the oil to help create a smooth and creamy texture.
• Check Emulsification: The mixture should thicken and become fluffy. If it’s too runny, continue blending until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Store Properly: Keep toum in an airtight container in the fridge to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
• Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to add herbs like parsley or spices like paprika for variations in taste.

Best Side Dishes for 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)

Pairing side dishes with your toum can elevate any meal. Here are some fantastic options to consider:

1. Grilled Vegetables: A mix of zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant adds color and complements the garlic flavor beautifully.
2. Hummus: This classic chickpea dip is creamy and pairs wonderfully with toum for dipping pita or veggies.
3. Tabbouleh Salad: A refreshing parsley salad with bulgur wheat brings brightness that balances well with the richness of toum.
4. Roasted Potatoes: Crispy potatoes seasoned with herbs make a hearty side dish that goes great alongside garlicky flavors.
5. Fattoush Salad: This vibrant salad combines greens and crispy pita chips, providing crunch that contrasts nicely with the creamy sauce.
6. Couscous: Fluffy couscous dressed with lemon juice and herbs makes a light side that complements many proteins served with toum.
7. Falafel: These crispy chickpea balls are perfect for dipping into toum and make for a satisfying vegetarian option.
8. Pita Bread: Warmed pita is ideal for scooping up toum as an appetizer or side dish!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When making 5-Minute Toum, there are a few common pitfalls to watch out for. Here’s how you can avoid them:

• Using Old Garlic: Fresh garlic is key for flavor. Always check the freshness of your garlic cloves to prevent bitterness.
• Skipping the Germ Removal: The green germ in garlic can make your toum taste bitter. Always slice your cloves and remove any green parts before blending.
• Adding Oil Too Quickly: If you pour in the oil too fast, it won’t emulsify properly. Start slow and let the mixture incorporate gradually for a creamy texture.
• Not Blending Long Enough: Insufficient blending may lead to separation. Blend for 3-5 minutes until fully emulsified and fluffy.
• Improper Storage: Storing toum in an air-tight container is crucial to maintain its freshness. Make sure your jar is sealed tightly before refrigerating.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

• Store your 5-Minute Toum in an airtight mason jar.
• It will last in the fridge for 2-3 months if properly sealed.

Freezing 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)

• You can freeze toum in small portions using ice cube trays.
• Once frozen, transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container, which will last up to 6 months.

Reheating 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)

• Oven: Preheat your oven to low heat and warm toum gently until just soft.
• Microwave: Heat in short bursts of 10-15 seconds, stirring in between, until warmed through.
• Stovetop: Place toum in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until warmed but not cooked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about making and using 5-Minute Toum:

What is 5-Minute Toum (NO Food Processor!)?

5-Minute Toum is a quick and easy garlic sauce made without a food processor. It’s perfect as a dip or condiment.

Can I customize my 5-Minute Toum?

Absolutely! You can add herbs like parsley or spices like cumin for extra flavor. Adjust the lemon juice based on your taste preferences as well.

How do I ensure my toum stays creamy?

To keep your toum creamy, blend slowly at first while adding oil gradually until fully emulsified.

Is there a way to make this recipe vegan?

Yes! This recipe is already plant-based since it does not include any animal products or by-products.

Final Thoughts

This 5-Minute Toum recipe is an incredibly versatile sauce that adds flavor to many dishes. Easy to make without any special equipment, it’s perfect for dipping or marinating proteins and vegetables. Feel free to experiment with different flavors to make it truly yours!