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Garlic Lemon Spread

Come try the irresistible flavors of my Garlic Lemon Spread recipe, a zesty delight packed with flavors of garlic! This versatile recipe draws inspiration from the traditional Lebanese toumya sauce, offering a velvety texture with a tangy kick from fresh lemon juice. Elevate your meals with this creamy spread that’s perfect for grilled meats, seafood, and veggies!

Lemon garlic dip being scooped out with a silver spoon.

Why I Love This Recipe

My Garlic Lemon Spread is a gem of a recipe that blends cultures and brings a burst of flavor to your dishes! Rooted in Lebanese cuisine, it stars fresh garlic cloves and the bright notes of lemon juice, resulting in a in a perfect balance of flavors I crafted. This spread is a go-to choice for those seeking a quick and delicious enhancement to their meals, whether it’s to jazz up grilled chicken, add zest to fish, or elevate the simplest pasta dish! It’s that good!

Just like my other beloved sauces, such as Cilantro Green Sauce, Hibachi Ginger Sauce, and Japanese Sesame Sauce, this one is incredibly versatile, easy to make and pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes! Don’t miss out on the chance to elevate your dishes with this spread, it’s a game-changer that’ll have your taste buds dancing with delight!

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • Garlic – fresh garlic cloves.
  • Salt – sea salt preferred.
  • Lemon Juice – use fresh squeezed lemon juice.
  • Vegetable Oil – you can also use other types of neutral oil.

🌾 Vegetable Oil Note

Use neutral oils like Vegetable, Canola, Avocado, or Grapeseed oil. Avoid full-bodied oils like olive oil, as they can make the spread taste bitter.

Oil being poured in slowly into food processor to make garlic lemon dip and spread.

Essential Kitchen Equipment

Directions

Step 1 Place the garlic and salt in a food processor and process until a smooth paste forms, scraping down the sides as needed.

Garlic in a food processor.

Step 2 With the food processor running, alternate between slowly adding vegetable oil and lemon juice. It’s crucial to pour these liquids in slowly to ensure a thick, emulsified texture.

🌀 Emulsifying Pro Tip

To achieve a smooth emulsion of lemon juice and oil, it’s essential to Add Liquids Gradually through the food tube of the running food processor. Pouring them in all at once will result in the ingredients remaining separated, regardless of how long you blend them.

Paring Recommendations

This spread pairs perfectly with dishes like grilled or baked chicken, steak, baked fish, tacos, mashed potatoes, pasta, or as a dipping sauce for veggies. Its zesty flavor complements these options beautifully, adding a delicious twist to your meal.

Lemon garlic dip served with gyros, tomatoes, broccoli and cucumbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to make this spread without a food processor?

No, you need a food processor to blend and emulsify the ingredients correctly.

Does it taste strongly of lemon, or is it more garlic-forward?

It's pretty balanced, where you will get the flavors of both lemon and garlic up front.

How can I ensure that the spread emulsifies correctly when blending the ingredients?

If it's a consistent paste/spread and not separated, you're on the right track. If separation occurs, it's likely because you're pouring in the oil too quickly, so take your time and allow the garlic to emulsify the lemon juice and oils.

 

Garlic lemon dip and spread inside an airtight container for storage.

Storage Tips

To store leftovers, place it in a sealed container and store it in the fridge. When stored properly, it can last for up to 4 weeks.

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Watch How To Make It

Slice of beef being dipped into garlic dip with a fork.

Garlic Lemon Spread

Elevate your dishes with my Garlic Lemon Spread recipe, a zesty garlic dip and spread that's a flavor-packed delight!
4.88 from 8 votes
Course: Appetizer, dip, Sauce, spread
Cuisine: Worldwide
Keyword: garlic dip recipe, garlic spread recipe, lemon garlic aioli
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Servings: 20
Print Recipe
Calories: 194kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Cup Garlic Cloves about 1.5 garlic bulbs
  • 1/2 tbsp Salt
  • 4 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 2 Cups Vegetable Oil

Instructions

  • Gather all the ingredients.
    Ingredients for garlic lemon spread.
  • Add garlic and salt into a food processor and chop until a smooth paste is formed. You'll have to stop and scrap the sides with a spatula a couple of times during this process.
    Garlic in a food processor.
  • Once a smooth garlic paste is formed, alternate slowly pouring in the 1/2 cup of vegetable oil and then 1 tbsp of lemon juice while the food processor is running. It's very important for the liquids to be poured in slowly otherwise it won't emulsify and will become liquid.
    Garlic paste being emulsified with oil.
  • Once garlic spread is completed, transfer to an air tight container and store in the fridge until ready for use.
    Garlic lemon spread in a jar.

Nutrition

Calories: 194kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Sodium: 175mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

*Values Based Per Serving

4.88 from 8 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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