3-Minute Garlic Aioli Recipe (2024)

Quick Garlic Aioli is one of my favorite condiments. It is easy to prepare and really takes a meal from ho-hum to uber excellent.

3-Minute Garlic Aioli Recipe (1)

In fact, sauces are what commonly separate the most extravagant of chef prepared meals from those made in your home kitchen.

Some might call it cheating, others might even say it isn’t actually an aioli, but I beg to differ. It is just a good, solid easy recipe full of garlic flavor.

What's In This Article

Serving Sauces

Seriously, think about it. What draws you into the menu items you are contemplating? Nearly every single one will be paired with a sauce and sometimes the sauce or condiment is more alluring than the actual dish.

I find when cooking at home and especially when I have guests, having a compound butter, dipping sauce or fabulous au jus can elevate the meal to “one of the best they have ever had!”

Plus, the word aioli is just fancy. It’s French, ya know?

3-Minute Garlic Aioli Recipe (2)

Aioli Vs. Mayonnaise

What is the difference between aioli and mayonnaise? Not much. They are both egg based, but mayonnaise uses a neutral oil like vegetable oil and aioli uses olive oil.

So that means that the olive oil based mayonnaises are actually aioli.

3-Minute Garlic Aioli Recipe (3)

Homemade Mayonnaise

The best part is that condiments and sauces, like my quick garlic aioli, can be made in just a few minutes and usually ahead of time. While I like to make my own mayonnaise, you can surely use a store bought mayo. I’d stick with actual mayo though and shy away from Miracle Whip.

3-Minute Garlic Aioli Recipe (4)

If you’ve never made your own mayonnaise, this is the time to try! Homemade mayonnaise is SO easy to make, you’ll be amazed. And the flavor is vastly different, rich and decadent.

Olive Oil

You can adjust the salt levels, even adding lemon if you wish, which is also indicative of aioli. The taste of your aioli will really depend on the type of olive oil you use.

I keep two types in my kitchen: the cheaper light extra virgin (still a decent quality) for using in recipes and frying and the good stuff. The more expensive, serve-on-its-own stuff that is olive nectar. THIS is what you need for the base of a good garlic aioli.

Garlic Aioli Sauce

Other than the mayo, which is perhaps more important that the garlic, the only other thing you need is salt. Use real garlic, none of that pre-chopped stuff in a jar that has muted flavor.

3-Minute Garlic Aioli Recipe (5)

I don’t mind mine being a little coarse with texture. In fact, after a few whirls in the food processor it is fairly smooth, but if you want a really smooth sauce try this.

  1. Finely mince garlic cloves.
  2. Soak in 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice for 20 minutes.
  3. Press liquids through a fine mesh sieve.

You’ll get all the garlicky goodness without the whole pieces, but it will also take a little more time.

You can also change it up with Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, Dijon mustard, swap out raw garlic for roasted garlic or add ground black pepper.

3-Minute Garlic Aioli Recipe (6)

Don’t Forget The Salt!

For salt, I use Maldon Sea Salt. If you read Savory Experiments with any regularity, you know I’m obsessed with it. I even have a travel case that comes with me to give assistance to under seasoned dishes at restaurants.

I’m a wacko, I know. But really, any salt, other than iodized salt, will work.

3-Minute Garlic Aioli Recipe (7)

You can even get fancy and use a black3-Minute Garlic Aioli Recipe (8) or pink sea salt3-Minute Garlic Aioli Recipe (9)!

Serving

What can I put garlic aioli on? What don’t you serve is really the question!

Serve it with roasted or grilled veggies, as a dipping sauce for French fries or sweet potato fries, on crostini as a topping for chicken or crab cakes, even use it as a sandwich spread.

3-Minute Garlic Aioli Recipe (10)

My favorites are probably for Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, Hearts of Palm cakes and Blue Cheese Stuffed Fried Olives.

Serving & Storage

For plating, you can serve your aioli in small ramekins or scoop it into a plastic baggie and snip one corner, creating a makeshift pastry bag and “pipe” it onto your dish in a artful way. This works best with a really chilled sauce or even throw it in the freezer for a few minutes to get it nice and tight.

Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

I do not recommend freezing.

3-Minute Garlic Aioli Recipe (11)

More Common Questions

Does aioli have raw egg?

Yes and no… yes, the base is typically egg or just egg yolks, but these days it is common for most eggs to be pasteurized and this already heat treated for safety. Look for this on packaging.

Is aioli just garlic mayonnaise?

Yes and no, there is a much more detailed response above (in case you are skimming).

Can I freeze aioli?

I do not recommend freezing any mayonnaise based sauce.

Tools You’ll Need

Good Extra Virgin Olive Oil– A good olive oil will taste like, well, olives, while a poorly made one will taste like vegetable oil. Gross. While people tend to favor Italian and Greek olive oils, I prefer to buy mine domestically.

There are some great ones out there from all over the world, but the reporting of ingredients isn’t always the same and you could find that your super expensive olive oil was actually cut with vegetable oil.

Mini Food Processor– I use this thing daily! It is by far my most used kitchen appliance, it is small and I throw all the parts into the dishwasher, well except the base and cord, of course!

More sauce recipes!

  • Clarified Butter
  • Beurre Blanc Sauce
  • Jalapeno Pineapple Sauce
  • Balsamic co*cktail Sauce
  • Coconut Curry Sauce

Balsamic Reduction Sauce

4.50 from 44 votes

How to make a balsamic reduction sauce just like the restaurants! Tastes like 15 year aged balsamic, but cheap and made in 15 minutes with only 3 ingredients.

See The Recipe!

Garlic Relish

Whether you spread it on a sandwich, dip warm bread into it or use it to top a steak, this Garlic Relish is so delicious and full of flavor!

See The Recipe!

Wasabi Aioli Sauce

4.43 from 28 votes

With only 3 simple ingredients, you can make this EASY Wasabi Aioli! Great as a dipping sauce, a sandwich spread or even alongside sushi!

See The Recipe!

Creamy Horseradish Sauce

4.39 from 136 votes

Creamy Horseradish Sauce comes together in less than 5 minutes with a sour cream base, tangy horseradish, this is a winner that will rival any steak sauce!

See The Recipe!

3-Minute Garlic Aioli Recipe (16)

Quick Garlic Aioli

4.39 from 34 votes

Quick Garlic Aioli is one of the easiest ways to punch up any dish or meal. Make this simple sauce in less than 5 minutes!

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

Servings: 10

Print RecipePin Recipe SaveRate this Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • Pinch Maldon sea salt or other sea salt, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  • Add coarsely chopped garlic to food processor and give it a few pulses.

  • Combine mayonnaise, lemon juice and salt to garlic and blend until smooth.

  • Keep in an airtight plastic container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

  • If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 154 kcal, Carbohydrates: 1 g, Protein: 1 g, Fat: 17 g, Saturated Fat: 3 g, Cholesterol: 9 mg, Sodium: 142 mg, Potassium: 8 mg, Sugar: 1 g, Vitamin A: 15 IU, Vitamin C: 1 mg, Calcium: 3 mg, Iron: 1 mg

Author: Jessica Formicola

Calories: 154

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American

Keyword: aioli sauce, garlic aioli, garlic dipping sauce

Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!

3-Minute Garlic Aioli Recipe (18)
3-Minute Garlic Aioli Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is garlic aioli just garlic mayo? ›

Unlike mayonnaise, which is made by emulsifying oil into egg yolks, aioli is made by pounding garlic into a paste and then gradually adding olive oil to the mixture, creating a thick and creamy sauce. The garlic gives aioli its characteristic pungent flavor, while the olive oil adds richness and depth.

What is an aioli sauce made of? ›

What is aioli sauce made of? At it's simplest, an aioli recipe starts with egg yolks and olive oil which is seasoned with a little lemon juice, a generous pinch of salt, maybe a little dijon mustard, and most often garlic. The two liquids are emulsified together so they don't separate over time.

Does aioli always have raw egg? ›

I love aioli, of all types. Though making your own aioli (like mayonnaise) calls for raw egg yolks. Food safety in mind, I prefer to temper my eggs in a double boiler, much like one does when making hollandaise sauce. Alternatively, these days, you can purchase pasteurized eggs in most grocery stores.

How long is homemade garlic aioli good for? ›

How to Store Aioli. While garlic aioli is best enjoyed on the day it's made, it will last up to 7-10 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Avoid freezing, as the mayonnaise will split and become unpalatable.

What is garlic aioli made of? ›

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.

Which is healthier mayo or aioli? ›

There is an ongoing debate as to whether an aioli is healthier than its cousin mayonnaise. Mayo is essentially any neutral flavored oil, with egg yolk, vinegar and lemon juice, whereas an aioli begins with pounding garlic, which has many health benefits, with a mortar and pestle and using olive oil instead of canola.

What's the difference between aioli and garlic aioli? ›

True aioli is an emulsion created with just garlic and extra virgin olive oil. This makes the common menu item, “garlic aioli,” rather redundant. In fact, the name aioli translates to "garlic oil." Aioli gets its creamy consistency and pale color from emulsifying the two ingredients, with a bit of coarse salt.

What is the main flavor of aioli? ›

Nowadays, the word aioli is pretty much synonymous with mayo, and is often just a simple mayonnaise (store-bought or homemade) that is flavored generously with garlic—a nod to its origins.

What do you eat garlic aioli with? ›

The traditional Le Grand Aioli in Provencal cuisine is a delicious summer meal for a crowd. Simply whisk up a batch of handmade aioli and lay out a spread of seasonal vegetables. Try with crisp leaves of lettuce, boiled potatoes, blanched green beans, sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and radishes for dipping.

Is homemade aioli safe to eat? ›

Unless you are using pasteurized eggs, you are at risk for salmonella, eating raw eggs or uncooked products made with raw eggs. If you know your egg source to be salmonella free then you are not at risk.

Do you put egg in aioli? ›

Although both aioli and mayo are creamy, white emulsions made with egg, the two condiments have distinctly different flavors. That's because aioli is made with olive oil, while mayonnaise is made with a neutral oil.

Why is raw egg OK in mayo? ›

The United States Department of Agriculture does not recommend eating raw shell eggs that are not cooked or undercooked due to the possibility that Salmonella bacteria may be present. However, homemade mayonnaise can be safely made if raw, in-shell pasteurized eggs or pasteurized egg products are used.

What can I do with garlic aioli? ›

Aioli, the distant or close cousin of mayo depending on how you make it, can be used as a dipping sauce for almost anything savory you serve for dipping. From burgers and tacos to fried veggies, chicken, or fish. As a matter of fact, aioli on crispy fried foods is the ultimate appetizing combination.

Can you freeze homemade aioli? ›

No aoili doesn't freeze well. Freezing breaks down the emulsion. The defrosted aioli will be separated and weird, so it's best to enjoy within a few days of making.

Can garlic aioli go bad? ›

Once opened, aioli will last only 1-2 weeks if properly stored in the refrigerator. Although freezing is uncommon, it can be done. In the freezer, it can last for 3-4 months. If you have made homemade aioli, it will last for about 1 week in the fridge.

Is garlic aioli the same as garlic sauce? ›

A thick garlic sauce, aioli is a traditional condiment in the cuisine of Provence, France, and Catalonia, Spain. True aioli is an emulsion created with just garlic and extra virgin olive oil. This makes the common menu item, “garlic aioli,” rather redundant. In fact, the name aioli translates to "garlic oil."

Does aioli and mayo taste the same? ›

What Is the Difference Between Aioli and Mayonnaise? Although both aioli and mayo are creamy, white emulsions made with egg, the two condiments have distinctly different flavors. That's because aioli is made with olive oil, while mayonnaise is made with a neutral oil.

Why do Americans call aioli garlic aioli? ›

The name itself comes from the Catalan words for oil and garlic (spelled allioli there), making its name on many local menus, “Garlic Aioli,” redundant.

What is another name for garlic mayonnaise? ›

Aioli is a French sauce made with garlic, egg, and olive oil. If you describe aioli as "fancy mayonnaise," you're not wrong! Although aioli is extremely similar to mayonnaise, there are a few basic differences.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dong Thiel

Last Updated:

Views: 6405

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dong Thiel

Birthday: 2001-07-14

Address: 2865 Kasha Unions, West Corrinne, AK 05708-1071

Phone: +3512198379449

Job: Design Planner

Hobby: Graffiti, Foreign language learning, Gambling, Metalworking, Rowing, Sculling, Sewing

Introduction: My name is Dong Thiel, I am a brainy, happy, tasty, lively, splendid, talented, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.