Garlic Aioli Recipe – Easy, Creamy, Better Than Restaurant

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Bowl of garlic aioli next to fries

This Garlic Aioli Recipe is creamy, tangy, and packed with bold garlic flavor—perfect for fries, sandwiches, and roasted vegetables. It’s the quick “cheater” style, so you get that restaurant-style taste in minutes using good mayonnaise, fresh garlic, and lemon juice. Smooth, punchy, and so much better than anything from a jar.

Introduction

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If you love dipping fries into that creamy garlic sauce at restaurants, you’re going to love making it at home. This Garlic Aioli Recipe is fast, easy, and totally customizable. Make it mild, make it garlicky, make it extra tangy—it’s all up to you.

The standout trick is letting the garlic sit in lemon juice for a few minutes first. That quick rest mellows the raw bite and pulls out a smoother garlic flavor. Once you stir it into mayo, you’ve got a dip you’ll want to put on everything.

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Aioli Recipe

  • Better than restaurant: Fresh garlic and lemon taste bright and bold.
  • Fast and easy: Ready in about 10–15 minutes.
  • Super versatile: Dip, spread, drizzle—use it everywhere.
  • Customizable: Adjust garlic, tang, and salt to your taste.
  • Great for meal prep: Keeps well in the fridge for days.

Ingredients for Garlic Aioli Recipe

Ingredients laid out for quick garlic aioli
A simple garlic aioli made with mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, and optional Dijon
  • Mayonnaise: The creamy base; use a good-quality brand for best flavor.
  • Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic gives the best punch; start with less if you’re sensitive.
  • Lemon juice: Brightens and balances; add more for extra tang.
  • Salt: Makes flavors pop; start small and taste.
  • Dijon mustard (optional): Adds a little zip and depth.
  • Black pepper (optional): A simple finishing touch.

How to Make Garlic Aioli Recipe

Collage of mixing garlic, lemon, and mayonnaise to make aioli
Step-by-step collage of infusing lemon juice with garlic and stirring into mayonnaise
  • 1. Press or finely mince garlic into a small bowl. Stir in lemon juice and a small pinch of salt.
  • 2. Rest the garlic-lemon mixture for 10 minutes. This mellows the sharp raw garlic bite and makes the flavor smoother.
  • 3. Strain (optional) by pressing the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove garlic bits for a smoother aioli. If you like it bold and rustic, skip straining.
  • 4. Stir mayonnaise into the garlicky lemon juice until creamy and smooth.
  • 5. Taste and adjust: Add more mayonnaise if it’s too strong, more lemon juice for tang, and more salt if it tastes flat. Stir in Dijon if you want extra depth.
  • 6. Chill 15 minutes if you can. It gets even better as the flavors blend.

Tips for Perfect Garlic Aioli Recipe

  • Use good mayo: It’s the main ingredient, so quality matters.
  • Start with less garlic: You can always add more, but you can’t take it out.
  • Let it rest: That 10-minute garlic-lemon sit is the secret to smoother flavor.
  • Strain for silky texture: Great if you want a restaurant-style finish.
  • Taste at the end: Salt and lemon levels vary by brand and preference.

Variations & Substitutions

  • Spicy aioli: Add hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne.
  • Herb aioli: Stir in chopped parsley or dill.
  • Smoky twist: Add smoked paprika.
  • Extra tang: Add a splash more lemon or a little vinegar.
  • Vegan version: Use vegan mayonnaise.

Storing & Reheating

Store Garlic Aioli Recipe in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 7–10 days. Stir before serving. This sauce is served cold, so no reheating needed.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

  • Dip fries, roasted potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
  • Spread on burgers, wraps, and sandwiches.
  • Spoon onto grilled fish or baked salmon.
  • Use as a quick sauce for grain bowls.

Reader Review: “This Garlic Aioli Recipe is dangerously good. We used it for fries, then sandwiches, and now I keep a jar in the fridge all the time!”

Recipe Card

Garlic Aioli Recipe

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: About 1/2 cup
  • Category: Sauces & Condiments
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2–5 garlic cloves, pressed or minced (start with 2)
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice (more to taste)
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Optional: black pepper

Instructions

  • 1. Combine garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Rest 10 minutes.
  • 2. Strain for smooth aioli (optional).
  • 3. Stir in mayonnaise until creamy.
  • 4. Taste and adjust lemon, salt, and garlic strength.
  • 5. Chill 15 minutes if possible, then serve.

If you make this Garlic Aioli Recipe, leave a rating and comment. What are you dipping first—fries, roasted veggies, or a sandwich?

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