Description
This Garlic Aioli recipe features rich, roasted garlic blended into a creamy base of mayonnaise, lemon juice, and spices. Perfect as a flavorful dip, spread, or sauce, its silky texture and deep roasted garlic aroma elevate sandwiches, burgers, and roasted vegetables. Roasting the garlic softens its pungency and adds a sweet, mellow complexity to this classic condiment.
Ingredients
Scale
Roasted Garlic
- 2 whole heads garlic
- 2 teaspoons olive oil (divided: 1 teaspoon per head)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Aioli Base
- ½ cup mayonnaise (store bought or homemade)
- 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about ½ lemon)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- â…› teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare the garlic for roasting.
- Prepare Garlic Heads: Trim off about ½ inch from the top of each garlic head to expose the cloves slightly. Rub the garlic heads with your fingers to remove all but one layer of skin around the cloves, making roasting more effective.
- Season Garlic: Drizzle 1 teaspoon of olive oil over each garlic head, then sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste for seasoning.
- Wrap Garlic: Wrap each garlic head tightly in aluminum foil and place them in a small baking dish to catch any juices that might leak during roasting.
- Roast Garlic: Bake the wrapped garlic heads in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes or until the garlic cloves are soft, golden brown, and fragrant.
- Cool and Mash: Remove the garlic from the oven, unwrap, and let cool until safe to handle (about 10 minutes). Then mash the roasted cloves with a fork, discarding any hard or tough bits.
- Mix Aioli: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, ground cayenne pepper, and the mashed roasted garlic until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Chill: Refrigerate the prepared aioli for at least 30 minutes, and up to 48 hours, to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- Ensure garlic is fully roasted to mellow its sharpness and enhance sweetness.
- Worcestershire sauce adds umami depth; omit to keep vegetarian or substitute with soy sauce.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to taste or omit for milder flavor.
- Store aioli in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Use as a dip for fries, spread for sandwiches, or sauce for grilled meats and veggies.
