Last updated on October 15th, 2025
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This bright and creamy garlic-lemon aioli brings restaurant-quality flavor to your home kitchen. Perfect as a dipping sauce for fries, spread for sandwiches, or accompaniment to grilled vegetables. A great balance of garlic punch and citrus freshness!
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Rest Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: About 3/4 cup
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup good quality mayonnaise
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper to taste
How to Make
- In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest.
- Add the kosher salt and several grinds of fresh black pepper.
- Whisk all ingredients together until smooth and well combined. Make sure to break up any clumps of garlic.
- Cover the bowl and let the aioli rest for at least 15 minutes at room temperature. This crucial step allows the flavors to meld and develop.
My Tips
- For the best flavor, use fresh garlic rather than pre-minced. A microplane grater works perfectly for creating a fine garlic paste.
- Choose a high-quality mayonnaise as your base – it makes a significant difference in the final product.
- If the garlic flavor is too strong, start with two cloves and adjust to taste.
- The garlic flavor will intensify over time, so keep this in mind when making ahead.
How to Store
Store the aioli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
The garlic flavor will become stronger over time, so you may want to make it closer to when you plan to serve it if you prefer a milder garlic taste.
How to Serve
- Use as a dipping sauce for french fries, sweet potato fries, or roasted potatoes
- Spread on sandwiches or burgers
- Serve alongside grilled or roasted vegetables
- Use as a dip for artichokes or fresh vegetables
- Drizzle over grilled fish or seafood
- Toss with roasted Brussels sprouts or broccoli
This aioli transforms simple dishes into something special, adding a burst of flavor that will have anyone asking for your recipe!
