Making garlic aioli in your own kitchen has never been so quick and easy! In less than 10 minutes, this creamy condiment combines basic pantry ingredients. And it tastes better than any store bought version!
I absolutely love a good garlic aioli recipe, especially because it pairs amazingly well with just about any type of food you can think of and adds a lot of delicious zesty flavor. I love using it in this easy potato salad recipe and it's so good when added to this Mexican corn on the cob. And, it's also good when added to this smoked Juicy Lucy burger and to these easy to make French Dip sandwiches.
In today's world when you hear the word garlic aioli, it's typically referring to a recipe made with mayonnaise, garlic, and a little bit of added lemon juice. Those are the typical aioli ingredients used to make a "quick version" of this delicious sauce.
Traditional homemade aioli requires a lot more time and effort to make. Over time, aioli has evolved into a simplified easy-to-make condiment with a lot of different flavor elements. And it has become super popular all over the world. And making this at home tastes so much better than any store-bought version!
The method used to make this garlic aioli is not only quick and easy, but it's incredibly flavorful. It doesn't require a food processor or blender and can be made in minutes! Substitute this aioli with anything you would typically use mayo for. You'll be amazed at the flavor difference!
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Why This Recipe Works
- This is a "quick version" garlic aioli recipe that is rich in flavor and has a creamy texture.
- It can be made in less than 10 minutes!
- You don't need a food processor or blender.
- Made with only 5 ingredients!
🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
- Mayonnaise - for a creamy balanced taste, use real mayonnaise, not Miracle Whip.
- Olive Oil - adds flavor, texture, and richness. It has a thick consistency which helps give the aioli a creamy texture without using dairy products.
- Garlic - provides the garlic flavor in each bite.
- Lemon Juice - adds a freshness to the flavor which makes the aioli taste lighter.
- Pepper - a flavor enhancer that adds a hint of peppery heat.
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!
👩🍳 Variations
- Add Some Heat - a lot of aioli sauce recipes include added spice, such as cayenne pepper or chipotle seasoning. Finely chopped jalapeño or serrano pepper also taste great in this sauce.
- Flavor Infused Oils - these help bring out a ton of flavor and there are many varieties to choose from. Lemon, garlic, herb, and chili based olive oils work best in this recipe.
- Roasted Garlic - roasting a head of garlic in the oven with olive oil and then using it here instead of raw garlic adds a nice roasted savory flavor. It also makes the texture more smooth and creamy.
- Citrus - Lime can also be substituted for lemon to make a chipotle-lime garlic mayo.
- Vegan Version - you can easily turn this into a vegan garlic aioli sauce by substituting vegan mayo. And it tastes so amazing on this kale veggie burger!
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🔪 Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
Step 1: Start by adding mayonnaise to a small mixing bowl.
Step 2: From there, add in the minced garlic.
Step 3: From there, add the olive oil to the bowl.
Step 4: Squeeze in fresh lemon juice. Garlic aioli should have a slight hint of lemon flavor so a quick squeeze from a lemon wedge works best. Or, use a teaspoon to measure the exact amount.
Step 5: Then, add in a liberal amount of coarse ground pepper.
Step 6: Using a whisk, combine all the ingredients until mixed well. The texture should be velvety and creamy.
Cover and store in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
🥪 What To Serve With Aioli
Burgers, wraps, and sandwiches taste amazing with garlic aioli mayo. But it has a lot more uses than being just a spread. When added to this savory chicken salad, it completely takes the flavor to a whole new level! Skip the regular mayo and use this instead when making tuna salad. Also, try it when making this potato salad recipe.
Here's some other ways to serve this aioli sauce:
- Use it as a dip for your french fries, tater tots, and even edamame!
- Add a dollop on top of a big bowl of chili.
- A dipping sauce for crab cakes or fried shrimp.
- Baste it on top of this salmon recipe before grilling or pan-searing.
- Try using it as a dipping sauce for these zucchini bites.
- I use this garlic aioli as my secret sauce for these chicken baguettes.
- Garlic mayo is fantastic on grilled corn!
- Skip the butter and use it as a spread on toasted bread.
🙋 Recipe FAQS
No. Aioli is a mayo-like sauce that is packed full of flavor. Most quick version recipes are great for spreads (or as a dip) and are made with raw garlic, mayo, lemon juice, and a small amount of salt. It's simple to make, but tastes fancy and gourmet.
The shelf life for regular mayo is about 2 months. Store this in an airtight container with a lid in the refrigerator for 7-10 days. The longer the garlic sits, the more pungent the flavor. After about 10 days, it starts to taste bitter.
Expert Tips
- The easiest way to mince fresh garlic cloves is to use a garlic press. However, you can also use a large and heavy knife, such as a chef's knife. To mince fresh garlic, remove the cloves from the bulb. Remove the outer skin from each clove. Then, lay the flat side of the knife over a garlic clove and crush it by putting pressure on the flat part of the knife with the palm of your hand. Using the blade of the knife, finely chop the cloves of garlic until finely minced.
- Use an emulsion blender to change the texture into more of a whipped consistency.
- Substitute olive oil for avocado oil.
- Don't freeze this sauce. Mayo-based foods do not freeze well.
- Before serving, store this in the refrigerator for at least half an hour. This allows just enough time for the flavors to combine.
🍳 More Dips And Sauces
There are a plethora of dips and sauce recipes out there, but these are the ones my readers rave about! The sauce I make in this lemon butter chicken recipe tastes amazing served with pasta. And this homemade pesto sauce is another great choice for both a sauce and a dip. Another great dipping recipe is this sweet and smoky BBQ sauce! Try it as a marinade, too! This cranberry orange relish is also fantastic served alongside many different dishes!
If you tried this homemade garlic aioli or any other recipes on my website, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below. I love hearing from you! And, please leave a 🌟 rating while you're there!
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How To Make The Best Homemade Garlic Aioli
Equipment
- whisk
- small bowl
- knife or garlic mincer
Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon coarse ground pepper
Instructions
- Put the mayonnaise to a small mixing bowl.
- Add in the minced garlic and then slowly drizzle in the olive oil.
- Squeeze in fresh lemon juice.
- Then, add in a liberal amount of coarse ground pepper.
- Whisk all the ingredients until mixed well. The texture should be velvety and creamy.
- Cover and store in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use an emulsion blender to change the texture into more of a whipped consistency.
- Substitute olive oil for avocado oil.
- Don't freeze this sauce. Mayo-based foods do not freeze well.
- Before serving, store this in the refrigerator for at least half an hour. This allows just enough time for the flavors to combine.
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Enter your email to receive this recipe, along with weekly food inspiration!
Jenny
I love sauces with garlic. This is the ultimate dipping sauce. Think I’ll borrow the celery in my Bloody Mary to have some garlic aioli.
Amanda Mason
Now that is a fun little twist! But sounds like a good idea!
Hayley Dhanecha
I shared this recipe with my dad who wanted to make aioli at home for his friends, he said that this recipe is a keeper, him and his friends loved it 🙂
Amanda Mason
So glad to hear this!!!
Amy Casey
Just amazing! Thanks for the suggestion to serve this with grilled corn. My weekend guests loved it.
Amanda Mason
So glad!! Enjoy!!
Laura Arteaga
I've been looking for an easy aioli recipe and this one was perfect! Easy and delicious, thanks for sharing!
Amanda Mason
Oh yeah! So glad to hear you liked it so much! It's a favorite here at our house.
Sharon
This easy garlic aioli goes great on sandwiches or as a sauce on the side with a grilled steak. So versatile.
Amanda Mason
Yes, it is perfect on steak! Good suggestion! So you all liked it!
Andrea Howe
I've never made "real" garlic aioli because it sounds like a pain lol! But this way was so easy I will definitely make it again, and no one would ever know the difference and tell I took some short cuts 😉 Thanks for this quick and easy recipe!
Amanda Mason
Glad it was so easy for you to make and glad to hear you enjoyed it so much!
Tracy
This was such an incredible recipe! So easy and delicious and we loved dipping our fries in them!
Amanda Mason
So glad to hear you loved the recipe and that it was so easy for you to make!!
Deb
Made this to smother on baked potatoes last night with some butter. So decadent. A great substitute for sour cream.
Amanda Mason
Yes! What an amazing way to use garlic aioli!! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Helene
My partner is a huge fan of aioli. Happy I found a recipe to make my own. It’s surprisingly easier than I thought. He loved it.
Amanda Mason
SO glad to hear he liked it so much!!
Amanda
This aioli is wonderful! It's so creamy with the perfect garlic flavor, and it truly couldn't be easier to make. I made this for a burger topping, and it really gave the burgers a special touch.
Amanda Mason
So good to hear!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and that it was so easy for you to make!!