This Garlic Sauce recipe is the perfect homemade condiment! It’s an ultra creamy garlic cream sauce that’s packed with fresh garlic. It makes the perfect addition to grilled meats or veggies!
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
You know those tried and true recipes that you’ve made hundreds, maybe thousands of times and could practically make in your sleep? If you’re a home cook we know you’ve got a list of those recipes and so do we! At the top of our list is our famous Banana Muffins recipe, everybody’s favourite Party Punch, and our go-to Creamy Italian Salad Dressing. But this garlic sauce recipe? It’s right up there!
Garlic sauce is a creamy, flavourful condiment that’s popular around the world especially in Eastern European and Middle Eastern food. It’s similar to tzatziki, but without the grated cucumber and added olive oil. It’s made with just a few ingredients: fresh garlic, lemon juice, herbs, salt, and either sour cream or Greek yogurt. These ingredients make it tangy, creamy, savoury, and just a little spicy thanks to the generous amount of fresh garlic. It’s a versatile sauce that can be used as a dip, spread, or accompaniment to a variety of dishes, including grilled meats, vegetables, potatoes, and even pita bread.
- It’s VERSATILE: It’s delicious served with grilled meats like chicken, beef, and even lamb. It’s also fantastic with grilled or roasted vegetables, over potatoes, or with just about anything.
- It’s EASY to make: With just a handful of ingredients and a few easy steps, this garlic sauce is quick and simple to whip up in minutes.
- It’s HEALTHY: When made with Greek yogurt, this garlic sauce is tasty AND packed with protein!
- It’s SO FLAVOURFUL: The combination of fresh garlic and lemon juice creates a bright, zesty flavour that pairs perfectly with any herbs you decide to add.
- It’s CUSTOMIZABLE: You can easily change this recipe depending on your family’s taste preferences. Adjust the amount of garlic for a more or less intense flavour, or use roasted garlic or add different herbs to create your own version.
Here’s how to make this BEST ever creamy garlic sauce recipe!
The key to a great garlic sauce is fresh garlic. Avoid pre-minced garlic or garlic powder because they wont give the same the intense flavour of fresh garlic cloves. Mince or grate the garlic finely to ensure it distributes evenly throughout the sauce.
High-quality full fat sour cream or Greek yogurt will give you the creamiest and most flavourful sauce, but you can use low-fat or non-fat versions if you prefer.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice is a must! It adds a bright, tangy flavour that balances out the richness of the dairy. Fresh lemon juice has so much more flavour than bottled lemon juice.
Fresh herbs like parsley or dill are best for this sauce, but you can experiment with other herbs like mint, basil, or even thyme. Finely chop the herbs finely to release their flavours into the sauce.
You can serve this garlic sauce immediately, but allowing it to rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving lets the flavours meld together and intensify. It’s one of those dishes that’s even better the next day!
If you run into problems when making this garlic sauce recipe, here’s how we recommend fixing and preventing them:
If your garlic sauce turns out too thin, try adding more Greek yogurt or sour cream to thicken it up. You can also strain the yogurt using cheesecloth to remove excess liquid.
If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a bit of water, lemon juice, or olive oil until you reach the desired consistency.
If the garlic flavour is too strong, try using less garlic next time or add more of the base (sour cream or Greek yogurt) to mellow it out a little bit. You can also use roasted garlic for a milder, sweeter flavour.
If the sauce is too sour, add a pinch of sugar or a bit more sour cream or Greek yogurt to balance out the acidity from the lemon juice.
Make sure you’re seasoning your sauce properly. Add a pinch of salt, and if it still tastes bland, a bit more lemon juice or some extra garlic can enhance the flavour.
Here’s a list of the kitchen equipment you’ll need to have on hand to make this garlic sauce recipe (paid links):
Here’s what you’ll need to make this garlic sauce recipe (paid links):
- 2 cups full fat sour cream (For a lighter version use 1 cup sour cream and 1 cup Greek yogurt, or 2 cups Greek yogurt)
- 8 cloves garlic or use up to 12, if desired
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped (or use fresh dill or basil instead)
Try something new and make one of these delicious garlic sauce variations!
Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to give it some heat. You can also add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes.
Herbs: Mix in a combination of fresh herbs like dill, parsley, and basil for a more earthy flavour.
Roasted Garlic: Use roasted garlic in the sauce instead of fresh. This gives the sauce a sweeter, more mellow garlic flavour.
Avocado: Blend in half an avocado for a richer, creamier texture and extra healthy fats. This variation is perfect as a dip for veggies or as a spread on sandwiches.
Tahini: Add a few tablespoons of tahini to the sauce for a nutty flavour and a bit of extra creaminess. We love this version on wraps and with falafel or chicken shawarma.
Time needed: 10 minutes
Follow these steps for making the perfect creamy garlic sauce!
- Mince or press the garlic.
Chop the peeled garlic very finely or press it through a garlic press.
- Mix in the salt, lemon juice, and herbs.
Add the pressed garlic, salt, herbs, and lemon juice to a bowl. Mix well.
- Mix in the dairy.
Add the sour cream (and/or greek yogurt) and mix well.
- Store or serve.
Serve immediately or store in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for a few hours before serving to let the flavours develop.
Do I need a food processor or immersion blender for this recipe?
No, simply mince or press the garlic and mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.
How do I store homemade garlic sauce?
Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container or in a bowl covered with plastic wrap.
Can I make this recipe with mayonnaise?
You can substitute about half the sour cream or yogurt in this recipe with mayo, but we prefer to make it with dairy yogurt, sour cream or dairy-free yogurt.
Most recipes for garlic sauce call for a neutral oil like sunflower oil, canola oil or avocado oil. Do I need to use oil to make garlic sauce?
No, the sour cream or yogurt provides a creamy base for this sauce. No oil needed!
Can I freeze garlic sauce?
We don’t recommend freezing it, as it can separate when thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh.
We hope you love this delicious garlic cream sauce as much as we do! Let me know in the comments below, what’s your favourite homemade condiment? We’d love to know!
More Sauce and Condiment Recipes
- Best Ever Easy Horseradish Sauce
- Homemade Ranch Dressing
- Homemade Honey Garlic Barbecue Sauce
- Avocado Ranch Dressing
- Thousand Island Dressing
- Best Ever Homemade Burger Sauce
- Blue Cheese Dressing
- Tahini Dressing
- Enchilada Sauce
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Garlic Sauce
Recipe: Equipment
Recipe: Ingredients
Recipe: Instructions
- Add the pressed garlic, salt, herbs, and lemon juice to a bowl. Mix well.
- Add the sour cream (and/or greek yogurt) and mix well.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for a few hours before serving to let the flavours develop.
Recipe: Notes
Storage Instructions
Store this sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.Recipe: Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.