A quick and easy yogurt based garlic sauce that goes perfectly with homemade kebabs. Just like the kind of garlic sauce you get in your favourite kebab shop, this kebab shop garlic sauce is made with just 6 ingredients and ready in under 5 minutes. It's creamy and tangy, and delicious with grilled meats and vegetables or as a dip.
We love a homemade "fakeaway" and there are little ways to make it feel more authentic, like with this takeaway garlic sauce. Making your own sauces, like the kind you would find in your local takeaway, will make your homemade takeaway feel that little more indulgent.
It is really creamy, but thin enough to drizzle and it has a real kick from the garlic. We used a lot! We use a mixture of mayonnaise and yogurt in our easy garlic sauce recipe, so it feels indulgent, but lightened up a little.
Looking for other ways to use garlic? Why not try our Easy Cheesy Garlic Bread, Garlic Spring Greens, Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia or Garlic Prawn Spaghetti?
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Mayonnaise and yogurt - We used both to make this healthy garlic sauce, as they both add a little something. The mayonnaise makes it really thick, creamy and indulgent and that's what you would get from a takeaway garlic sauce. However, the yogurt lightens it up a little, and also adds a nice tang. You can adjust the balance, and you could even make it with just yogurt if you wanted to make it lower in calories. We used full fat mayonnaise, but you could use reduced fat. Use plain yogurt, not Greek yogurt, as it is too thick.
- Garlic - The star of the sauce. We used 5 big garlic cloves, as we like our kebab garlic sauce really garlicky. But you can make it milder if you would like. More on that in the extra tips below. Because the garlic is the most important part of the sauce, you make to make sure it is fresh and firm to touch. Make sure it is really finely minced garlic so it mixes in well.
- Lemon - This adds a nice freshness to the sauce, and garlic and lemon go so well together too.
- Salt - Season it to taste. Add a pinch, and mix it together, and then you can always add more after if you would like.
- Water - This is to loosen the sauce up. Add a splash and then add more until you get the desired consistency. We like the sauce to be fairly thick, but still able to drizzle.
More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.
How to Make Garlic Sauce - Step by Step
- Step 1: Put all the ingredients (except the water) into a bowl.
- Step 2: Mix well until everything is combined. Add water to thin if required.
How to Choose and Store Garlic
The key to this homemade garlic sauce recipe being the best it can be, is using the best garlic and we have a few tips on choosing and storing garlic for you.
When buying garlic, you want to make sure that it is fairly firm and not soft, and doesn't show any signs of decay. You also don't want to choose a bulb that is starting to sprout.
Once you get it home, to prevent it from sprouting you should store it in an uncovered container in a cool and dark place, away from sun exposure. If the garlic is really fresh when you bought it, then it should last being stored this way for up to 2 months.
How To Use Kebab Shop Garlic Sauce
This is such a versatile sauce. Although it was made as a homemade version of kebab shop garlic sauce to go with our Kebab Shop Chilli Sauce, there is so much more that you can do with it than put it on a kebab. We love it as a dip with carrot and cucumber sticks or even pita bread - basically, anything that you would dip in something like hummus.
If you wanted to serve it with a kebab, then why not try our Lamb Shish Kebab, Vegetable and Halloumi Kebabs, Chicken Tikka Skewers or Greek Chicken Skewers. It also goes really well with out Oven Baked Falafel a pita bread with lots of salad or one some grilled salmon. Seriously, SO many uses.
We also think it makes quite the epic dip for chips. Fancy making your own? Why not try our Air Fryer Chips and make some French Fry Seasoning to go with it too?
Extra Tips
- If you want a milder garlic flavour, then you can blanch the cloves before using. Put the peeled garlic cloves in a bowl and cover them with hot water from the kettle (not boiling) and leave for 5 minutes. Drain and then crush. You can also soak them in iced water. Make sure you pat them dry before using.
- If you have time, remove the green part from the middle of the garlic if there is some. It is the oldest part of the garlic and you want to be left with the freshest, whitest part. The result in a less bitter sauce.
- Don't like your breath after eating raw garlic? Try eating some raw fresh parsley, as it acts as a breath freshener.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can store it in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make sure to use a container with a lid, because not only does it keep it fresh, but it stops your fridge from smelling of garlic.
More Sauce Recipes
If you’ve tried this creamy garlic sauce recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Easy Kebab Shop Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
- 50 ml (0.25 cups) Mayonnaise
- 150 ml (0.66 cups) Plain yogurt
- 5 Garlic clove - crushed
- 1 Lemon - juice only
- 1 pinch Sea salt
- Water - as required
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients (except the water) into a bowl.
- Mix well until everything is combined. Add water to thin if required.
Recipe Tips
- If you want a milder garlic flavour, then you can blanch the cloves before using. Put the peeled garlic cloves in a bowl and cover them with hot water from the kettle (not boiling) and leave for 5 minutes. Drain and then crush. You can also soak them in iced water. Make sure you pat them dry before using.
- If you have time, remove the green part from the middle of the garlic if there is some. It is the oldest part of the garlic and you want to be left with the freshest, whitest part. The result in a less bitter sauce.
- Don't like your breath after eating raw garlic? Try eating some raw fresh parsley, as it acts as a breath freshener.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Patricia says
Super recipes thank you
Dannii says
So glad you enjoyed it!