The Dip Customers Claim Is “One of the Best Things on Earth” Is Finally Back at Costco

If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get down with garlic. Death breath cancels each other out if you're both eating an unholy amount of garlic, which exactly how I would describe toum, a garlicky-beyond-garlicky dip that's made with only four ingredients: raw garlic, lemon juice, oil, and salt. Trader Joe’s has a version of the Lebanese condiment that I love, I always get an extra order at famed LA chicken joint Zankou Chicken, and I even have a recipe for “Toum Raider,” a Korean-ish version, in my cookbook, Big Dip Energy. 

But the absolute best store-bought version I’ve ever found is from the brand Toom, which is sold at a lot of national grocers for around $5.49 for 8 ounces. But if you have access to a Costco, stock up, because it’s only $7.49 for DOUBLE the amount: an entire pound (16 ounces). And you’re gonna go through it fast. 

Costco Toom Reviews

There are a lot of excited Toom fans across the internet who rave about it with compliments like how it’s “one of the best things on Earth” and that it's “wonderfully garlicky” on Reddit. A Los Angeles local raved that it “tastes damn near exactly like Zankou,” a popular mini-chain rotisserie chicken spot.

Just remember to stock up on mints for after eating it. Another fan shared: “Advice from a Lebanese person—please don’t get close to people after eating it… especially if you have to burp!” 

I think the best thing about Toom is that it tastes homemade. Toum is a tricky dip to get right, as you need it to emulsify into a fluffy, creamy dip, which takes a lot of patience to drizzle in oil bit by bit. Buying it saves you this headache, and don't worry about getting through that large tub—there are so many ways to add a dollop or dip to your everyday life. Here are some of my favorite ways to use Toom, for all my garlic lovers.

How To Serve Toum

Pair It With a Rotisserie Chicken

While you're at Costco, you might as well pick up the famous rotisserie chicken. Whether you like using the chicken for a filling inside a pita or tortilla, or piling the chicken on top of rice and beans, a dollop or spread of toum will take the flavor up to the next level. Toum is also a great ingredient for making a creamy, dairy-free chicken salad. Or even just for dipping a hot drumstick into it for a two-ingredient entree.

Make Veggies More Delicious

Crudités, salads, and roasted veggies can all benefit from toum, whether you’re dipping, tossing, or drizzling. Thin it out with a little water for better drizzle-able consistency, or add a dollop of pesto or another flavorful sauce to swirl together as a dip.

Use It As Pizza Sauce

Swap in toum for traditional tomato-based pizza sauce for a creamy alternative. You don't even have to go all out with making pizza dough, this pizza hack is good on flatbread, naan, or even English muffin pizzas, too. Try it with mozzarella, broccoli, and spinach for a white pizza vibe. 

Spice Up Eggs

I love toum in eggs, but you only need a smidge. A tiny little bit adds tons of flavor without giving you full garlic breath in the morning. Or eat breakfast for dinner and brush your teeth twice after—it’s worth it.