Garlic Aioli

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This creamy garlic aioli is just what you need to add a robust garlicky flavor to anything! And instead of creating an oil and egg emulsion, I’ll show you a quick and easy way to achieve the same delicious results.

A bowl of garlic aioli

Some people consider aioli a fancier European mayonnaise, and to be honest, they’re not wrong. In the south of France (where I’ve traveled extensively), it’s served up as a basic condiment along with fries, sandwiches, burgers, and roasted vegetables. I’ve also seen it drizzled on soups and served as a dipping sauce to meatballs!

So what exactly is aioli? It’s simply an emulsion made from olive oil, egg yolks, and garlic, similar to mayonnaise. Some may call it “aioli” while others call it “garlic aioli” but it should be noted that they’re really one and the same, as both contain garlic.

And while I’m no stranger to creating emulsions, whether it be my homemade mayonnaise or hollandaise sauce, today’s recipe is a bit of a cheater’s aioli since I’m using already mixed mayo rather than starting from scratch with an egg and oil emulsion. I’ll often get a craving for this garlic aioli at the last minute when I’m whipping up a recipe, so this quick-and-easy version has become my go-to!

Ingredients for garlic aioli

Garlic Aioli Sauce Ingredients

  • Mayonnaise: For a super fresh version with no funky ingredients, my homemade mayonnaise recipe always hits the spot. But you can certainly use a store-bought mayo as well.
  • Garlic: You want finely minced garlic to keep this aioli perfectly creamy. You can even smash it with the side of your knife to create a garlic paste, for a smoother texture. And for a roasted garlic aioli flavor, just swap in oven-roasted garlic – super easy!
  • Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is a must! It makes all the difference when it comes to the overall taste.
  • Salt and Black Pepper: Use kosher salt and not table salt. Table salt will make this aioli taste overly salty.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below

How To Make Garlic Aioli

Mix the sauce. Add the mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to a mixing bowl, then whisk together with a spoon or whisk.

Mixing garlic aioli in a bowl

Let it rest. For the best flavor, cover the bowl and let the garlic aioli chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. It will allow the flavors to meld together and enhance the garlic flavor!

Mixed garlic aioli in a bowl

Ways To Use Garlic Aioli

  • The perfect sandwich spread. This is the holy grail to give your sandwiches or burgers a garlicky kick, like my turkey burgers!
  • Use as a dipping sauce. I love to dip roasted vegetables into this, specifically roasted beets, garlic herb roasted potatoes, or baked zucchini fries.
  • Spread onto baked fish or chicken. Try spreading this onto baked salmon, baked cod, or baked chicken for a creamy, garlicky layer!
  • Make it part of an appetizer. Spread this on a crostini or cucumber bite with smoked salmon. And of course, this always wins as a dipping sauce for french fries.

Common Questions

What are some variations of garlic aioli?

You can spin this aioli in so many flavorful directions! You can add finely chopped cilantro and lime juice for a cilantro-lime twist, fresh or dried herbs such as rosemary, basil, or dill for an herbaceous touch, or add a hint of heat with paprika, jalapeño peppers, or chipotle peppers (like in this chipotle sauce). Whatever you’re thinking of, mix it in!

How long does homemade aioli stay good for in the fridge?

You can store this in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. It’s always a good idea to have this on hand — especially if you have roasted vegetables or cooked meats planned for the week. Plus, I think the flavor gets even better the next day!

A bowl of garlic aioli with a spoon

More Sauce Ideas

This easy garlic aioli isn’t the only staple condiment in my kitchen. Give these other sauces a try to add extra flavor to your meals!

I hope you enjoy this garlic aioli with just about anything! If you make it, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the recipe in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.

A small bowl of garlic aioli

Easy Garlic Aioli

5 from 3 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

This easy garlic aioli is just what you need to add a robust garlic flavor to anything — burgers, french fries, roasted veggies, you name it!

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions 

  • Mix it together. Add the mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to a mixing bowl, then whisk together.
    Mixing garlic aioli in a glass bowl
  • Let it rest. For the best flavor, cover the bowl and let the garlic aioli chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. Then enjoy.
    Creamy garlic aioli in a bowl

Nutrition

Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.5g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 431mg | Potassium: 18mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Course: sauce
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Garlic Aioli, Garlic Aioli Recipe
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

5 from 3 votes

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10 Comments

  1. Just wondering, since you suggest avoiding olive oil in your mayo recipe should olive oil be used in the Mayo if it’s for the aioli recipe? Or is a plain oil just fine?

    1. Hi Emmy – because this recipe has a stronger garlic flavor, you could use any oil in the mayo as the oil flavor is less noticeable. Enjoy!

  2. Fabulous simple recipe to follow. So tasty, I usually add this to every dish I prepare for up to a week. My favorite mouthwatering dishes are drizzled on smoked salmon 😋 and an accompaniment side dip for my paprika parmesan sweet potato fries, delicious! Mmmm. I can honestly say to anyone to give this fab recipe a try, a great topping for salads also! X5 stars

    1. I’m glad you’re loving this garlic aioli recipe, Amanda! It is such a versatile ingredient to have prepped for the week.