Garlic Sauce Recipe — Creamy & Quick for BBQ

Garlic sauce is the most versatile BBQ side dish there is. Ready in 5 minutes, it goes with almost everything from the grill and always tastes better than from a bottle. We give you three variations: the classic mayo version, a lighter yogurt version, and a vegan option.

Variant 1 — Classic Garlic Sauce (Mayo-based)

Rich, creamy, and intense — the most popular version.

Ingredients (for 4–6 people)

  • 150 g mayonnaise (full-fat, not light)
  • 2–3 cloves garlic, pressed
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and white pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of smoked paprika for extra depth

Preparation

  1. Finely press the garlic — always use fresh garlic, not powder.
  2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and stir well.
  3. Taste and season — more lemon juice for freshness, more garlic for kick.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld.

Variant 2 — Light Garlic Sauce (Yogurt-based)

Fresher and lighter than the mayo version — perfect with spicy rubs.

Ingredients

  • 200 g Greek yogurt (full-fat)
  • 2 cloves garlic, pressed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • Pinch of cumin (optional — pairs well with Shawarma)
  • Salt to taste

Preparation

  1. Mix all ingredients and stir well.
  2. Let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes for the best flavor.

This is essentially a simplified tzatziki without cucumber. Do you want the full version? → Check out our tzatziki recipe

Variant 3 — Vegan Garlic Sauce (Toum)

Toum is Lebanese garlic sauce — pure garlic, oil, and lemon juice. Intense, airy, and completely plant-based.

Ingredients

  • 1 head of garlic (approx. 10–12 cloves), peeled
  • 200 ml neutral oil (sunflower or grapeseed)
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp ice-cold water
  • Pinch of salt

Preparation

  1. Place garlic and salt in a food processor and blend until fine.
  2. Alternately add a splash of oil and a splash of lemon juice while the machine is running — just like making mayonnaise.
  3. Add the ice-cold water for a lighter texture.
  4. Continue to blend until a white, airy sauce forms. This takes approx. 5 minutes.

Which BBQ dishes pair well with garlic sauce?

  • BBQ Chicken Shawarma — garlic sauce is the classic accompaniment to shawarma
  • Shawarma Pulled Lamb — the rich lamb flavor is beautifully balanced by garlic sauce
  • Chicken on the BBQ — as a dipping sauce for wings, drumsticks, and chicken thighs
  • Lamb on the BBQ — garlic and lamb are a classic combination
  • Grilled vegetables — as a dipping sauce for bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant
  • In a wrap or pita — with BBQ meat and grilled vegetables

→ Which sauce pairs with which rub? — complete overview

Which rub combines best with garlic sauce?

  • Shawarma BBQ Rub — the perfect match. Cumin, coriander, and allspice call for a creamy garlic sauce.
  • Jamaican Jerk — the heat of scotch bonnet is tempered by the creamy garlic sauce.

→ Which BBQ rub pairs with which meat?

Tips

  • Always use fresh garlic — garlic powder gives a different, less fresh taste
  • Make ahead — garlic sauce tastes even better the next day
  • Storage: maximum 3–4 days covered in the refrigerator
  • Too sharp? Add more mayo or yogurt to temper the garlic

More sauces & side dishes

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