Quick & Easy Garlic Lemon Aioli

Name: Quick & Easy Garlic Lemon Aioli
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: ½ cup mayonnaise; ½ lemon (juiced (about 1 tablespoon)); 1 clove garlic (minced); sea salt (to taste); freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

5 from 1 rating

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This easy garlic aioli recipe is so delicious and takes just minutes to make! (The fresh-squeezed lemon takes it to the next level.) 😉

Lemon garlic aioli sauce in a glass bowl on a blue and tan checkered napkin.

This is one of my top go-to sauces for sides and main dishes, and it's the one that goes with nearly ALL the burgers, fries/sweet potatoes fries, fish tacos and more. I absolutely LOVE using it with this pan seared salmon dish.

While traditional aioli from the Mediterranean region was prepared using an olive oil and garlic emulsion, it's common these days to simply infuse a good mayonnaise with some fresh lemon and garlic, as I have done in this recipe. This method is super fast, and still incredibly delicious!

And if you're a garlic lover like me, you can also check out this delicious garlic mashed cauliflower or this sautéed broccolini with garlic side. So good!

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❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
🌿 Ingredients
📝 Instructions
📋 Substitutions
📖 Variations
🔪 Equipment
🍱 Storage
🎉 Top tip
💭 FAQ
🍳 Recipe

❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

Takes only 5 minutes of prep time
Just 3 ingredients required, plus some salt & pepper
Delicious way to take fries, burgers or fish to the next level
Travels well for meal prep lunches
Easy, foolproof recipe

🌿 Ingredients

Mayonnaise, a half lemon and a clove of garlic on a brown wood table.

See recipe card below for exact quantities.

📝 Instructions

Ready to learn how to make aioli? It's so easy you won't believe it!

First, place all of the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and whisk together to incorporate everything well.

Then, let your aioli stand in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let the garlic flavor infuse the aioli sauce. (Don't skip this step!)

And lastly, simply drizzle over your favorite main dish or side dish, and enjoy!

📋 Substitutions

This recipe is gluten free, dairy free and vegetarian as written. Feel free to make the following additional substitutions:

Vegan - use plant-based mayonnaise
Lemon - if you don't have a fresh lemon, you could substitute lime instead, or use jarred lemon juice or dried lemon peel
Garlic - use some garlic powder instead if you don't have any fresh garlic on hand

📖 Variations

Here are a few aioli variations you can try:

Sriracha aioli - use up to a tablespoon or so of sriracha sauce instead of minced garlic, and substitute fresh lime juice for lemon
Chipotle aioli - add a pinch of chipotle powder, or more than a pinch if you like spicy aioli
Pesto aioli - add a tablespoon or more of pesto
Greek yogurt aioli - substitute Greek yogurt for mayo (this is my all-time favorite variation since Greek yogurt is such a fabulous fermented food)
Kid friendly - use less fresh garlic to keep things on the milder side; you could also use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic for less punch

🔪 Equipment

Here is the equipment you'll need to make this garlic aioli:

cutting board
chef's knife
mixing bowl
whisk

🍱 Storage

Leftover aioli will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It does not stand up well to freezing since the mayonnaise will separate once thawed.

🎉 Top tip

I know it's tempting to go ahead and serve your aioli right away, but you won't want to skip the step of letting it sit in the fridge for 30 minutes. That way, the flavors can meld and your sauce will be complete. Just plan accordingly, and you'll have an amazing sauce ready and waiting for you to enjoy. 🙂

💭 FAQ

What is aioli?

Aioli originated in the Mediterranean region and traditionally consisted of emulsified olive oil, garlic and salt, but can also be prepared more quickly using a base of mayonnaise and some fresh lemon and garlic.

Does aioli have dairy?

No; aioli does not traditionally contain any dairy ingredients, but make sure to check labels if you're purchasing a prepared or packaged aioli.

Is aioli vegan?

While traditionally prepared aioli may be vegan if it only contains olive oil and no eggs, it is likely that a modern aioli recipe or packaged product is mayonnaise-based and therefore contains egg. If you'll like to make a vegan version, look for a plant-based mayonnaise to use instead.

How long does aioli last?

Homemade aioli will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It does not stand up well to freezing since the mayonnaise will separate once thawed.

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