Garlic Aioli Sauce: The Ultimate Guide to Making Perfect Aioli Recipe
This homemade garlic aioli sauce is a creamy, tangy, and flavorful condiment perfect for enhancing sandwiches, dips, and grilled dishes. Made with simple ingredients like mayonnaise, fresh garlic, lemon juice, and a hint of cayenne, this easy-to-make aioli can be customized with fresh herbs and Dijon mustard for extra zest.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: About 1 cup 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Aioli Base
- 1 cup mayonnaise (preferably homemade or high-quality store-bought)
- 4–6 cloves garlic, minced (adjust to your preference)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Seasonings
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- Pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat
Optional Additions
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard for added tang
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley or chives for garnish
Instructions
- Mince the Garlic: Mince garlic finely with a knife. Avoid using a garlic press to prevent bitterness. For smoother aioli, create a garlic paste by adding a pinch of salt to the minced garlic and smearing it across your cutting board with the flat side of your knife.
- Combine the Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, add the mayonnaise, minced garlic (or garlic paste), lemon juice, and olive oil.
- Season and Adjust: Add salt, freshly ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper if desired for a little heat.
- Whisk it All Together: Using a whisk, thoroughly combine all ingredients until smooth and creamy.
- Taste and Adjust (Again!): Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add more garlic, lemon juice, salt, or pepper according to your preference.
- Optional Additions: Stir in Dijon mustard for additional tang, and fresh parsley or chives for color and freshness, if desired.
- Chill and Let the Flavors Meld: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the aioli for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours, to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use fresh garlic and high-quality mayonnaise.
- Adjust the amount of garlic according to your taste preference for a milder or stronger garlic flavor.
- If you prefer a thinner aioli, add a little more olive oil or lemon juice to reach desired consistency.
- Aioli can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Do not use a garlic press as it can cause bitterness in the garlic flavor.
- Feel free to experiment with herbs such as basil or tarragon for different flavor profiles.
Keywords: garlic aioli, aioli sauce, homemade aioli, garlic sauce, easy aioli, mayonnaise sauce, garlic dip, Mediterranean sauce
