This easy Lemon Aioli recipe is creamy, tangy, and perfectly balanced with lots of bright citrus flavor and zesty garlic. I add sour cream alongside the mayo, which gives it a lighter, fluffier texture than your typical mayo-based aioli. It comes together in 5 minutes with just a whisk and a bowl.
This is THE Summer Lemon Aioli of Your Dreams 🍋
I’ve tested a lot of lemon aioli recipes over the years, and this is the only version I keep going back to! The sour cream is the secret. It cuts through the richness of the mayo, so the lemon and garlic flavors really come forward instead of getting muddled. I always taste mine at the end and add a little more zest or lemon juice if needed.
Fresh lemon zest is non-negotiable for me. Bottled lemon juice can’t do what a real lemon does, and the zest is where so much of the flavor lives! I use a microplane to grate both the garlic and the zest, which keeps everything super fine and lets the flavors blend into the sauce evenly. Trust me on this one!
— ♥︎ Jess —
Ingredient Notes
- Sour Cream – You can use all mayo if you prefer, but the aioli will turn out heavier. Full fat greek yogurt will also work in a pinch, but it won’t have the exact same light/creamy texture.
- Mayonnaise – A good-quality mayo makes a noticeable difference. I usually reach for Duke’s or Hellmann’s, but Kewpie is also great if you want something extra rich and a little sweeter.
- Garlic – Use fresh garlic, not the jarred minced kind. I finely grate mine on a microplane so it disappears into the sauce instead of leaving little chunks.
How To Make Lemon Aioli
Visit the recipe card below for the ingredient amounts and full directions.
1
MIX IT
Add everything to a bowl and whisk together to combine.
2
TASTE TEST
This is the fun part! Give your aioli a little taste and decide if it needs more lemon juice/zest.
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Ways To Enjoy Lemon Aioli
As a dipping sauce. Perfect with fried calamari, shrimp, French fries, or anything crispy and salty.
Spread on sandwiches and burgers. A thin layer adds a creamy, tangy bite to grilled chicken sandwiches, turkey clubs, and cheeseburgers.
Drizzled over seafood and veggies. Thin with a splash of water and drizzle over grilled salmon, crab cakes, or roasted asparagus.
Recipe Help – Frequently Asked Questions
You can, but the texture will not be as creamy and the flavor will be less rich. I always recommend full-fat for the best results.
Yes, and I actually prefer to. The flavor improves after at least 30 minutes in the fridge, and it is even better the next day.
You can swap the sour cream for an extra ½ cup of mayonnaise, but the texture will be denser and the flavor more one-note. The sour cream is what gives this aioli its signature bright, tangy finish.
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it stays fresh for up to 2 weeks.
Raw garlic has a sharp bite that mellows as the sauce rests. If the garlic is too strong for you right after mixing, let the aioli chill for an hour or two and taste it again. The bite will soften significantly.
No, I do not recommend freezing lemon aioli. Mayo-based sauces tend to break and turn watery once thawed, so the texture will be ruined.
Lemon Aioli
Ingredients
- ½ cup sour cream, use full fat for best texture
- ½ cup mayonnaise, use full fat for best texture
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest, about 1 lemon worth of zest
- 1 garlic clove, finely grated, double the garlic for a zestier flavor
- salt, to taste
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Instructions
- Add the sour cream, mayo, lemon juice, lemon zest and garlic to a medium bowl, whisking to combine. Season to taste with salt, adding more lemon juice and zest as desired.
- While you can serve it immediately, it's best to chill it for 30 minutes in an airtight container to allow the flavors to meld.
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Notes
Nutrition
More Homemade Sauce Recipes To Try
- Honey Mustard – Sweet, tangy, and oh so creamy.
- Tzatziki Sauce – Garlicky, lemony, and perfect for summer.
- Alfredo Sauce – So rich and creamy with just 5 ingredients.
- Bearnaise Sauce – Perfect for eggs, steak, and more.
- Steak Sauce – This buttery sauce is one of my most popular recipes!
- Enchilada Sauce – A total game-changer with way better flavor.
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