Garlic Aioli

Love garlic aioli but don’t have a lot of time? This quick and easy recipe will have you enjoying homemade garlic aioli in just 5 minutes! Using mayonnaise as a shortcut, you only need a handful of ingredients to make this recipe.

about this garlic aioli recipe

If you love a creamy and garlicky sauce, this garlic aioli is just the condiment to make on a regular basis.

This is the secret sauce that can elevate any dish from ordinary to extra special. The best part is, today I’m teaching you how to whip one up in just 5 minutes (with no raw egg yolk required).

When my husband and I went to Belgium many many years ago, one of the first things I truly fell in love with was fries smothered in a rich and creamy garlic aioli.

Aioli isn’t always a go-to condiment when going out to eat here in the United States. While is a dang shame, because it’s one of the best sauces in the world (in my oh-so humble opinion, obviously).

Therefore, I am consistently making it to have at home at all times. Garlic aioli is bold and zesty, made with fresh garlic to give you a strong flavor nestled in a creamy texture. Trust me, once you try this quick and easy recipe, you’ll never need to go back to store-bought aioli again!

The recipe below will walk you through the steps for how to make a quick and easy aioli (some might call it a cheater’s aioli, but I am ok with that). From the ingredients to the process to variations, you’ll find everything you need here in this post!

Just want the recipe? Hit the Jump to Recipe button at the top of the post!

what is garlic aioli?

Aioli is traditionally a combination of emulsified olive oil and garlic to make a creamy sauce. There are tons of variations out there though! Some add raw egg yolk to make it creamier. Others, like this one, use mayonnaise as a shortcut to make the aioli quickly.

If you are in the USA, you are likely more familiar with aioli as essentially a flavored mayonnaise (which is how this recipe is made). While both a traditional aioli and mayonnaise are both a type of emulsion, they are a bit different.

ingredients

garlic. You will need two cloves of raw garlic for the recipe. Note that you can always add more, if you prefer.

oil. We recommend using extra virgin olive oil, but you can also use avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or vegetable oil. Extra virgin olive oil will give the best flavor, overall.

mayonnaise. Use your favorite mayonnaise! We usually use low-fat, but it’s up to your personal preference. You could also make this recipe vegan by using vegan mayo. Another option is to use your own homemade mayo!

lemon juice. Fresh lemon juice is always preferred over store bought lemon juice.

salt. Use kosher fine salt to season this aioli.

pepper. Freshly cracked pepper is best!

this recipe’s must-haves

You will need a chef’s knife and a cutting board to prep the garlic. We like to use a meat tenderizer to mash it up, but you could also use a garlic press. You could even use a mortar and pestle!

Finally, you just need a small bowl from a set of mixing bowls and a whisk to combine everything.

here’s how to make garlic aioli

mash garlic

Remove two garlic cloves from the head of garlic. Peel each garlic clove. Use a fork, meat tenderizer, or garlic press to mash up the garlic cloves well. You can also mince it, if you prefer.

mix

Add mashed garlic to a bowl with mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, olive oil, and black pepper.

Refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before enjoying. The longer it sits the better it will taste!

tips for success

let the aioli chill. Give the aioli about 30 minutes in the refrigerator to chill. This will let the flavors meld together and help it taste even better.

adjust the seasoning. You can adjust the flavor to your preference! Add in more garlic by using another clove. Season with more salt and pepper to taste. Want to add some heat? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes!

use fresh herbs. Add some freshness with some chopped chives, rosemary, or oregano.

More tasty dip to try out: Spinach and Artichoke Goat Cheese Dip | Spicy Lasagna Dip | Avocado Chimichurri Salsa | Veggie Guacamole

isn’t using raw garlic too overpowering?

The garlic’s flavor isn’t too overpowering in this recipe! We are only using two cloves of garlic, but you can always start with one if you are worried about the flavor being too strong.

If you want more garlicky flavor, add another clove of garlic. Our recommendation is to make the recipe as listed, then adjust the flavor from there with lemon juice, salt, pepper, garlic, etc as desired.

how long does garlic aioli last?

This garlic aioli will last for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container. Though it usually doesn’t last that long in our house with how much we love to use it on everything!

is this garlic aioli safe to eat?

Yes! If you are worried about eating this aioli (perhaps you are pregnant or are worried about consuming raw egg), this shortcut version is completely safe. It uses mayonnaise instead of making the aioli from scratch, so you don’t have to worry about it being safe!

should I use a garlic press?

You can certainly use a garlic press if you have one! I usually use a meat tenderizer or a fork to mash up the clove. I find the meat tenderizer works great!

what are some variations of garlic aioli?

There are a bunch of variations on aioli. A personal favorite is roasted garlic aioli, which takes an extra step to roast the garlic, giving it a somewhat sweeter flavor.

Need some inspiration for crispy snacks? Check out my appetizers recipe page!

what to serve with garlic aioli

Garlic aioli is such an essential condiment that can be used in a wide variety of ways. To start, it’s a tasty spread for a sandwich or a wrap. Use it on a salmon sandwich or even your favorite juicy burger.

Dollop it on top of mashed potato fritters instead of using sour cream.

Use it as a dip! This creamy and savory aioli is ideal for onion rings, potato cheese balls, cheese corn balls, cheese croquettes, kettle chips, and more. As you already know it’s my favorite dipping sauce for fries!

You can even serve it alongside your favorite proteins! Baked salmon, smoked chicken, grilled steak, and more are perfect for this spread to elevate the typical weeknight meal. Anything that goes with garlic will pair well with this sauce!

how to store

Store. This aioli can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

more sauces to explore

Love this garlic aioli? Ramp it up a notch and make roasted garlic aioli!

Bacon aioli is our personal favorite for burgers and BLT sandwiches.

Bourbon peach bbq sauce is the tastiest summery sauce for coating wings or slathering ribs!

This bang bang shrimp sauce is the BEST copycat recipe to use on shrimp, chicken, and more!

Spicy chipotle aioli has a smoky kick that makes it totally addictive.

Finally, if you make this garlic aioli sauce recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!