This garlic aioli is creamy, garlicky and easy to make at home! This shortcut version uses mayonnaise, lemon and garlic and is perfect to use as a dipping sauce or spread.
Looking for more condiment recipes? Try cilantro lime crema, dill dip and Knorr spinach dip!
Table of Contents
Homemade Garlic Aioli
This easy garlic aioli is made with 5 ingredients and just 1 single step. Well, 2 if you count taste-testing a step. With a few extra ingredients it elevates everyday mayo with an extra delicious garlicky lemon flavor.
Most of the time when we order something like this when eating out we never really consider how easy it is to make it at home. While this is definitely a short-cut recipe, it does rival the flavor of any aioli you’d find at a restaurant!
What is Aioli
Alright, so true aioli originally had nothing to do with mayo, believe it or not. It’s started off as a popular sauce in the Mediterranean consisting of a whipped emulsified blend of olive oil, minced garlic, and salt resulting in a creamy textured condiment. However, to be able to get to this creamy texture from olive oil and garlic takes a lot of effort, so a shortcut version was born. Hello, mayo.
These days, we can’t get enough of the creamy dreamy stuff, which is now basically the ingredients for mayo (whether store-bought or not) with added flavor variations such as garlic, and lemon, among many others.
Flavoring Variations
Learning how to make garlic aioli is basically foolproof. Once you try it, you’ll look for any excuse to make it. Then you can try adding in a few different flavor options as listed below.
- Spicy – Add any of your favorite spices, like buffalo sauce, a sprinkling of cayenne, red pepper flakes, or some sriracha sauce. Some dijon mustard for a kick might also be nice!
- Roasted & Smokey – For a milder garlic flavor, roast bulbs of garlic to add to your aioli. You could also add some roasted red pepper or sundried tomatoes for a sweet and smoky note.
What to Serve it With
It’s one of my favorite creamy and rich condiments that can be used on just about everything. Here are a few favorite ways to serve aioli:
- Grilling favorites: Grilled salmon, grilled sweet potatoes, and all my grilled vegetables. My kids love using it to jazz up their hamburger!
- Dipping sauce: Sweet potato fries or french fries with a side of garlic aioli is an easy way to get them to eat more veggies!
- Dressing: You can also use it as a creamy coleslaw dressing and a cracker and veggie dip too!
- On the side of appetizers: It is also a great dipping sauce for appetizers like pigs in a blanket, zucchini fritters or breadsticks. Trust me, there’s always a reason to eat it!
This sauce for fish tacos is another easy sauce recipe that will jazz up any dinner main!
More Creamy Sauce Recipes
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!
Easy Garlic Aioli
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup mayo
- 2 cloves garlic , 1 teaspoon minced
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- salt and pepper , to taste
Instructions
- Combine mayo, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil in a small bowl. Whisk in until combined. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. Serve with your meats, veggies and sides.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
FAQs
Although both are creamy condiments, mayo will contain egg yolk and vinegar while aioli contains garlic, olive oil and lemon juice. For this shortcut version, though, we combine olive oil and lemon juice with a base of mayo for simplicity!
This can be stored for about 5 days covered in the refrigerator. While it would still be good on days 5-10 the garlic will become more pungent the longer it sits.
It is not recommend to freeze mayo as it will separate when thawed.
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Condiments, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Sauces, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
The taters were great. Too much lemon in the dipping sauce
That is great to hear! I am so glad that the taters tasted good too! Use less lemon if that will help.
This’ll is great use it on your fries I like to add a dash of Chile oil for a kick.also instead of blue cheese Put it on your wings.
Love the wing idea! It is a great combination!
Fantastic recipe. I love a good aioli. Can’t wait to make this lots this summer!
YUM!! I could eat this with a spoon! Thanks for the great recipe!