Garlic Mayonnaise

This creamy garlic mayonnaise is the perfect dip or spread. With mayo, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil, it's flavorful and easy to make.

Ingredients

To make homemade garlic mayonnaise, you'll need the following ingredients. Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and measurements.

Mayonnaise: It's the base of the recipe, offering creaminess and flavor. It's also why garlic mayonnaise is called cheater's aioli. Rather than adding a raw egg into the mix, this recipe uses mayonnaise.

Garlic: Freshly grated or finely minced raw garlic is the way to go for a sharp, garlicky flavor. While you can use roasted garlic or garlic powder, raw garlic has the perfect kick. The taste of raw garlic won't be too harsh because it'll soak in lemon juice before you add the mayo.

Lemon juice: It adds acidity and tanginess. Lemon juice balances the richness of mayonnaise and garlicky flavors. Soaking raw garlic in lemon juice is also a culinary technique for mellowing its sharpness and pungency.

Olive oil: Mayonnaise already has a neutral oil. I add extra-virgin olive oil for texture and flavor. It offers a traditional aioli taste. After trying the recipe without olive oil, I'm confident you'll love the upgrade. It transforms it from a basic garlic mayonnaise to one you can't live without.

Salt and pepper: Sea salt enhances the flavors and balances the sharpness. Black pepper adds a slight touch of heat.

How to Make a Simple Garlic Mayonnaise

The following are the steps and process images to make garlic mayonnaise. Refer to the recipe card for the complete set of instructions.

1. Combine everything but the mayonnaise. In a medium bowl, add the garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir the ingredients with a mini whisk, fork, or spatula.

2. Add mayonnaise. Mix the mayonnaise with the other ingredients until they're well combined. A fork or mini whisk works best for this step. It's harder to emulsify the olive oil with a spatula. Once everything's combined, taste it and adjust with more mayo, salt, or lemon juice if needed.

How to Store

The benefit of using mayonnaise instead of raw eggs is that it lasts longer. Store garlic mayonnaise in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator. It'll last up to 7 days. Stir it before serving, as it may thicken in the fridge.

I don't recommend freezing garlic mayonnaise because it'll separate and ruin the texture. Also, it only takes 5 minutes to make. It's quick and better fresh.

Serving Suggestions

Garlic mayonnaise is a versatile sauce. It's absolutely delicious and improves any meal. The sauce makes a simple, homemade meal, restaurant-quality. The following are different ways to serve it:

• Fries or roasted potatoes. Russet and Yukon Gold are my favorite varieties. They get crispy whether you're enjoying them as fries or roasted.
• Roasted vegetables. A pungent garlic mayo pairs so well with roasted veggies. Enjoy it with artichokes, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, or green beans.
• Spread on sandwiches, burgers, or wraps. Use it as a substitute for regular mayonnaise. It immediately upgrades your sandwiches, burgers, and wraps.
• Drizzle on grain or veggie bowls. Drizzle or add a dollop to your bowls. I love adding it to my roasted sweet potato and kale bowl.

Variations

This recipe is my favorite way to enjoy garlic mayonnaise. Sometimes, you want to switch things up. The following are several ways to adapt the flavor and tailor it to pair with your meal.

Mix in truffle oil. Add a strong, earthy, and umami flavor with black truffle oil. It's a popular variation in many restaurants. I use ¼ tablespoon, but you can add more to taste.

Roasted garlic. It gives the sauce a sweet, caramelized, and buttery flavor. After roasting the garlic, squeeze the cloves into a bowl with the other ingredients. Then smash them with a fork and mix until well incorporated.

Add sun-dried tomatoes. The deep but tangy flavors are excellent. Instead of mixing with a fork or mini whisk, use an immersion blender. I like to add 3-4 tablespoons of drained sun-dried tomatoes.

Give it a spicy kick. Add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to add heat. You can also add sriracha or chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.

Add herbs. Basil, dill, chives, parsley, and tarragon are perfect for making an herb aioli. Finely chop the herbs and mix in 1 tablespoon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is garlic mayonnaise the same as aioli?

Traditional garlic aioli consists of garlic, olive oil, and sea salt, using a mortar and pestle. Today, many garlic aiolis add mayonnaise and lemon juice. The modern version of garlic aioli is essentially garlic mayonnaise.

Does garlic mayonnaise have raw eggs?

Aside from the egg yolk in mayonnaise, this garlic mayo recipe doesn't contain extra eggs. If you make it from scratch, you'll use egg yolks to bind the ingredients.

What are the key ingredients in garlic mayo?

Garlic mayonnaise is easy to prepare and delicious. It only has 4 ingredients: mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil.

Can you make garlic mayonnaise in a blender?

If you want to use a blender, I recommend using an immersion blender to make garlic mayonnaise. Also, use a narrow jar with a flat bottom to keep it contained.

More Tasty Recipes for Dipping

• Classic Guacamole: Authentic, fresh, and simple.
• Easy Hummus: All you need are chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, and garlic.
• Cold Corn Dip: Smooth, creamy, and easy to make.

If you enjoyed this garlic mayonnaise, please leave a 5-star rating and share your thoughts in the comments. Also, subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Substack, and Pinterest for the latest updates. I'd love to stay connected.