By Becky Hardin
Updated Apr 15, 2025
Garlic aioli is my favorite recipe to make to go along with just about anything. Made with freshly roasted garlic, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and a hint of cayenne pepper, this easy garlic mayonnaise sauce is downright delightful! It’s creamy, savory, and just the right amount of spicy to liven up any meal.
5-Star Review
“This was so amazing I have made it several times now. the first time I made it I didn’t have lemon and skipped it. I wont do that again made such a difference. Thank you!” -Dina
Easy Garlic Aioli
Listen, I wouldn’t ask you to plan ahead unless it was really worth it, and this garlic aioli is so worth it. It takes just 5 minutes to prep the garlic, then it’s hands-off for an hour while it roasts. The final sauce is super easy to throw together in just about a minute, and the taste is unreal. I want to slather it on everything!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 whole heads garlic see this post for tips
- ▢ 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ▢ ½ cup mayonnaise store bought or homemade
- ▢ 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about ½ lemon)
- ▢ 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ▢ ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Trim off ½ inch off the top of each head of garlic. Rub the garlic heads with your fingers to remove all except one layer of skin around the cloves. 2 whole heads garlic
- Drizzle each garlic head with 1 teaspoon olive oil, sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Wrap each head of garlic in aluminum foil. Place in a small baking dish to catch any juice.
- Bake 50-60 minutes or until the garlic is soft and golden brown.
- Unwrap and cool to the touch, about 10 minutes, then mash with a fork. Discard any hard spots.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire Sauce, cayenne pepper and mashed roasted garlic. Mix until well incorporated. ½ cup mayonnaise, 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to 48 hours in-advance.
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How To Make Garlic Aioli Step by Step
Get the oven going: Preheat oven to 400°F.
Season the garlic: Trim off ½ inch off the top of each of the 2 heads of garlic. Rub the garlic heads with your fingers to remove all except one layer of skin around the cloves.
Drizzle with olive oil : Drizzle each garlic head with 1 teaspoon olive oil, sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Wrap and roast the garlic : Wrap the two heads of garlic in aluminum foil and place them in a small baking dish to catch any juice and bake 50-60 minutes or until the garlic is soft and golden brown.
Peel the garlic : Remove the outer layer of the garlic and let it cool, and then mash with a fork. Discard any hard spots.
Whisk the aioli: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce, and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper with the mashed roasted garlic.
Refrigerate and serve: Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to 48 hours in advance and enjoy. This aioli is best served cold or at room temperature.
How to Store
Store leftover garlic aioli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Any longer, and the ingredients will start to separate.
Serving Suggestions
This quick and easy garlic aioli can be used as a dip, dressing, condiment, or spread with all kinds of dishes–it’s so versatile! Serve it as a dipping sauce with crispy shoestring fries , healthy veggie sticks, or fried okra . I often spread it on a juicy burger for more flavor, use it to elevate the flavor of an everyday grilled chicken sandwich , or add more oomph to a BLT sandwich .
Garlic Aioli Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 whole heads garlic see this post for tips
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ cup mayonnaise store bought or homemade
- 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about ½ lemon)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Trim off ½ inch off the top of each head of garlic. Rub the garlic heads with your fingers to remove all except one layer of skin around the cloves. 2 whole heads garlic
- Drizzle each garlic head with 1 teaspoon olive oil, sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Wrap each head of garlic in aluminum foil. Place in a small baking dish to catch any juice.
- Bake 50-60 minutes or until the garlic is soft and golden brown.
- Unwrap and cool to the touch, about 10 minutes, then mash with a fork. Discard any hard spots.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire Sauce, cayenne pepper and mashed roasted garlic. Mix until well incorporated. ½ cup mayonnaise, 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to 48 hours in-advance.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
