Aioli is much more than just flavored mayonnaise. This guide will show you how to make the most creamy and delicious garlic aioli from scratch, and it’s easier than you think.
If you crave authentic, super creamy homemade garlic aioli, you’ve come to the right place. This recipe is truly exceptional, delivering a rich and flavorful experience that elevates any dish.
Key Ingredients for Garlic Aioli
Let’s explore the essential components that make this garlic aioli so special. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect texture and flavor.
- Egg: This recipe starts with raw eggs, not mayonnaise, which contributes to its authentic flavor and creamy texture. For the best emulsification, use room-temperature eggs. While many recipes call for just the yolk, this recipe uses a whole egg and a yolk to increase the liquid content, making it easier to create a stable emulsion.
- Oil: Authentic aioli often uses olive oil. Extra-virgin olive oil is excellent, but its strong flavor is best balanced with a mild-tasting oil like sunflower or safflower oil. Feel free to use 100% olive oil if you love the robust flavor.
- Garlic: Raw garlic cloves provide the signature pungent flavor. Grate them finely with a microplane before blending to ensure they incorporate evenly. If raw garlic is too intense for your liking, consider using roasted garlic for a milder, sweeter flavor.
- Lemon: A touch of fresh lemon juice brightens the aioli, cutting through the richness and enhancing the overall taste. Vinegar, such as red wine, white wine, or champagne vinegar, can also be used.
How to Make Garlic Aioli From Scratch
Making homemade garlic aioli is similar to making homemade mayonnaise. A food processor will ensure consistent results. While blenders can work, they might not be as dependable.
- Finely grate the garlic cloves into the food processor bowl. Add lemon juice and salt.
- Add the room-temperature egg and egg yolk.
- Close the lid and blend until frothy.
- With the processor running, slowly add the oil, drip by drip, initially. This is important for proper emulsification.
Once the mixture begins to thicken, increase the oil to a thin stream until it’s fully incorporated. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and lemon. And there you have it – perfect garlic aioli, made completely from scratch!
What to Serve with Homemade Garlic Aioli
This garlicky, creamy garlic aioli is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a wide variety of dishes.
It’s a fantastic dip for:
- French fries
- Sweet potato fries
- Raw vegetables
- Roasted broccoli
- Roasted potatoes
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
It’s also delicious with seafood, such as:
- Baked salmon
- Roasted trout
- Poached shrimp
- Seared scallops
- Fish sticks
Finally, use it as a spread for sandwiches and burgers. Whether you’re making a classic tuna salad sandwich, a juicy burger, or a veggie wrap, garlic aioli adds a creamy, garlicky kick.
Recipe: Homemade Garlic Aioli
Aioli is a creamy garlic sauce made with raw garlic, salt, olive oil, and sometimes egg. This recipe uses egg, creating a luxuriously creamy texture. Using one whole egg and one egg yolk makes it more fail-proof and easy to prepare.
Yields: About 1 cup
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 small garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk at room temperature
- ½ cup (120ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup (60ml) mild-tasting oil (sunflower, grapeseed, or vegetable oil)
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper
Equipment:
- Microplane grater
- Food processor
- Measuring jug
Instructions
- Use a microplane grater to grate the garlic. If you do not have a fine grater, finely mince the garlic or mash it into a paste.
- Place the garlic, lemon juice, and ¼ teaspoon of salt in the bowl of a food processor. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Add the whole egg and yolk, then pulse until blended and frothy.
- Combine the oils in a measuring jug, which makes pouring the oil into the food processor easier.
- Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, turn the food processor on, then begin to slowly add the oil in tiny drops until about a quarter of the oil has been added (this is critical for proper emulsification).
- When you notice that the mixture is beginning to thicken and emulsify, you can be less strict. With the processor on, continue to add it slowly, but increase to a very thin stream instead of drops of oil.
- When the oil is incorporated, and the aioli is thick, taste it and adjust it with additional lemon juice and salt. I usually add a couple more pinches of salt and an extra squeeze of lemon juice to make the flavor pop. Aioli is less thick than store-bought mayonnaise.
- Serve with a sprinkle of fresh ground black pepper over the top.
Tips and Notes
- Roasted garlic aioli: Reduce the raw garlic to one clove or use roasted garlic instead if you’re sensitive to the taste of raw garlic.
- Shortcut aioli with mayonnaise: Combine 1 cup mayonnaise with 2 to 3 finely grated garlic cloves, a pinch of salt, and 1 to 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Taste and season with more salt and lemon.
- Vegan aioli: Combine 1 cup vegan mayonnaise with 2 to 3 finely grated garlic cloves, a pinch of salt, and 1 to 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Taste and season with more salt and lemon.
- Food processor: This recipe works beautifully in a 12-cup food processor. If you have a larger processor or are concerned that your model’s blade will not have enough contact with the ingredients, you can use the smaller bowl attachment that often comes with food processors. This recipe also works when made using a high-powered blender or an immersion blender.
- Raw eggs: When choosing eggs for homemade aioli, select fresh, properly refrigerated, clean, pasteurized grade A or AA eggs with intact shells.
- Storing: Homemade garlic aioli lasts in an airtight container in the fridge for about 1 week (possibly longer when made with pasteurized eggs). Freezing aioli is not recommended, as the emulsification will likely break upon thawing, changing the texture.
Enjoy Your Homemade Garlic Aioli
With this recipe and guide, you can confidently create a flavorful and versatile garlic aioli that will elevate your meals. Experiment with different variations and pairings to discover your favorite ways to enjoy this delicious sauce.
