Garlic Aioli Sauce: The Ultimate Guide to Making Perfect Aioli Recipe
This Garlic Aioli Sauce is a creamy, flavorful condiment made from high-quality mayonnaise, fresh garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Perfectly seasoned with salt, pepper, and a hint of cayenne, and brightened with Dijon mustard and fresh herbs, it’s the ultimate versatile sauce for dipping, spreading, or drizzling over your favorite dishes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 1 cup 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 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
- 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
- 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, avoiding a garlic press to prevent bitterness. For a 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 the salt, 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 the aioli and adjust seasonings as needed by adding more garlic, lemon juice, salt, or pepper to your preference.
- Optional Additions: Stir in Dijon mustard for added tang and fresh parsley or chives for color and freshness.
- Chill and Let the Flavors Meld: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the aioli for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, to allow the flavors to fully develop.
Notes
- Using fresh garlic and high-quality mayonnaise greatly improves the flavor.
- Adjust the amount of garlic according to your taste preference—start with less if you prefer a milder aioli.
- The cayenne pepper adds a subtle heat; omit it if you want a milder sauce.
- Refrigerating the aioli is essential to let the ingredients meld and intensify flavors.
- Use this aioli as a dip for fries, a spread on sandwiches, or a sauce for grilled seafood and vegetables.
Keywords: garlic aioli, aioli sauce, garlic sauce, mayonnaise sauce, easy aioli, dip recipe, Mediterranean sauce
