Move Over, Mayo: These 30 Aioli Recipes Meet All Your Dipping Needs (2024)

Listen – we love ketchup, mayo, mustard, and all your other favorite condiments– by no means are we suggesting that mayo doesn’t have a place in BLTs and potato salad recipes. But, if you haven’t tried aioli — a popular dipping sauce with Mediterranean origins — you’re seriously missing out.

Aioli recipes are traditionally made with garlic, olive oil, and sometimes eggs (the combination of which is, of course, mayonnaise), but modern iterations also throw in lemon juice, garlic, and a whole plethora of other delicious herbs and spices. Here are 25 of our favorite aioli recipes, but be warned: once you dip your French fries in aioli, you’ll never go back.

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Jalapeño Aioli

Let's start things off with a little spice, shall we? This zesty, zingy aioli gets infused with jalapeños, garlic, cilantro, and lime juice to form the most delicious flavor. (via Vanilla and Bean)

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Super Easy Garlic Aioli

Let’s start off with the most mainstream, common version of aioli you’re likely to find. This easy-to-make recipe contains only five ingredients: mayo, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Like all aioli creations, this sauce is perfect for adding to sandwiches and burgers, and will also take your fries to a *whole* new level. (via Cooking With Curls)

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Cilantro Lime Aioli

This aioli recipe would be *delish* on a quesadilla or another Mexican-inspired meal. The flavors of cilantro and lime pair with all kinds of flavorful (and spicy) foods. (via Goodie Godmother)

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Rosemary Aioli

Paired here with meatballs, rosemary aioli is a bit more herbaceous. The flavors of rosemary go well with meats. We also recommend serving this sauce on the sandwich portion of a hearty soup-and-sammie meal. (via The Iron You)

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Pesto Aioli

Use some store-bought or homemade pesto to mix into thick mayo, and you have yourself an exceptional (and easy!) aioli recipe. (via Hello Little Home)

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Truffle Aioli

One bite of this rich aioli recipe, and you'll be hooked. It's especially tasty alongside some fries! (via Vikalinka)

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Basic Homemade Aioli

This pick is as straightforward as aioli gets. If you're looking to hone your kitchen craft with more homemade dips and sauces, this aioli recipe is a great place to start. (via Feel Good Foodie)

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Roasted Garlic Aioli

Here’s another crowd-pleasing garlic aioli recipe for you. Pro tip: roast the garlic by cutting it in half, placing the middle side down on a piece of foil, drizzling with olive oil, and roasting for about 30 minutes. You’ll unlock a super-rich flavor that you just can’t get with raw garlic. (via The Suburban Soapbox)

The Best Aioli Recipes

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Roasted Red Pepper Aioli

Looking for something a little... tangier? This roasted red pepper aioli will definitely do the trick. It combines the flavors of traditional aioli and red peppers with mustard, lemon juice, and sun-dried tomatoes for a condiment with kick! (via The Wimpy Vegetarian)

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Vegan Caper Aioli

Salty capers meet mellowed-out mayo in this plant-based recipe. (via The Edgy Veg)

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5-Ingredient Chipotle Aioli

This baby is spicy – and it also happens to be totally vegan. The “mayo” is made from soaked and blended cashews, while the flavor itself comes from fresh chipotle peppers. (via Minimalist Baker)

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Magic Aioli Sauce

You'll just have to trust us on this one – this aioli recipe holds pure magic. It's dreamy and bright, meaning it's the perfect pair to hefty, salty potato wedges and the like. Each dip will leave you wanting more and more! (via A Spicy Perspective)

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Gochujang Aioli

Gochujang, a spicy Korean chili and soybean paste, gets the aioli treatment, resulting in a spectacularly spicy spread that can be used across dishes from sandwiches to loaded fries. (via Takes Two Eggs)

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Smoked Paprika Aioli

When shopping for paprika, go for a spice labeled “smoked paprika” or “sweet paprika.” Plain-old paprika tends to be a lot less flavorful. In the case of this pick, though, you’ll combine smoked paprika with a bit of cumin to achieve a rich, spicy flavor in your aioli recipe. (via Fountain Avenue Kitchen)

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Chipotle Lime Aioli

We’ve already covered aioli with lime and aioli with chipotle peppers — but this mouthwatering recipe combines the two. Bonus points for serving these with healthy and delicious sweet potato fries! (via Joyful Healthy Eats)

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Dijon-Thyme Aioli

This rich aioli is a sweet potato's BFF. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

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Lemon-Dill Aioli Sauce

Not so much into the peppery, spicy sauces? Keep things light and fresh with this lemon and dill-flavored creation. When prepping this aioli, be sure to bring your egg yolks to room temperature, or you may have some trouble getting them to mix with the rest of the sauce. (via Savor The Best)

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Vegan Egg-Free Aioli

Here’s another one for the plant-based eaters out there. The secret ingredient in this recipe is aquafaba... that is, chickpea water. You can store this mixture for up to seven days in a covered container, so it’s great for making ahead (meal prep FTW!) and taking to work. (via Healthy Green Kitchen)

More Delicious Aioli Recipes

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Chimichurri Aioli

Chimichurri is often slathered on meats, and this aioli is just as – if not more – versatile. It shares a number of ingredients with traditional chimichurri sauce — a few of the stand-outs are cilantro, onion, lime juice, and jalapeño! (via The Faux Martha)

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Spicy Lemon Aioli

For a dip with more kick, this spicy lemon aioli strikes the ideal balance between tangy and zesty. (via Barley & Sage)

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Roasted Garlic Saffron Aioli

Saffron brings a muted, yet deep flavor to this aioli recipe that was crafted to pair with feta fries. (via Half Baked Harvest)

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Easy Lemon Aioli

When we say this recipe is easy, that’s kind of an understatement. There are literally two steps: whisk everything together, then allow it to chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. It’s *that* simple. (via Homemade Interest)

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Creole Aioli

All the best parts of creole cookin' falvor are included in this aioli. Make sure you've got a lot of spices on your hands, or else this spicy pick won't quite hit the same. (via Pink Owl Kitchen)

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Skinny Sriracha Aioli

What makes this Sriracha-infused aioli skinny, exactly? Instead of regular mayonnaise, you’ll sub in light mayo and Greek yogurt for a lower-fat, protein-packed alternative. (via The Skinny Fork)

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Garlic Avocado Aioli

All those classic garlic aioli recipes we’ve shared above are fabulous, but adding some avocado can be a *total* game-changer. With this recipe, you’ll whip some fresh avo right into the mixture, adding creamy texture and stellar flavor. (via Cafe Delites)

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Lemon Parsley Aioli

This lemon-parsley combo is decidedly British-inspired and perfect for dipping. It showcases the flavors of mayo, parsley, lemon, Dijon mustard, and garlic. Bonus points for serving it with fried blue cheese olives, as shown here. (via Dad With A Pan)

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Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Aioli

If you’re interested in a red pepper flavor, but want to steer clear of animal products (or dairy in general), try this vegan version. You’ll sub in cashews (processed with water, of course) for mayo, keeping it dairy-free and super healthy. (via Veggie And The Beast)

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Basil Garlic Aioli

If you’re a big pesto fan, you’ll adore this basil-garlic sauce. In addition to being a perfect addition to French fries, it would also go great on any kind of Italian-inspired sammie, such as an eggplant Parm or meatball sub. (via Self Proclaimed Foodie)

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Roasted Garlic Chipotle Aioli

See those eggs in the background? That’s because this recipe has you making mayo from scratch. It doesn’t get more wholesome than that. You’ll bring the eggs to room temperature before processing them with additional yolks, lemon juice, and garlic, and adding olive oil toward the end of the process. (via Ruled.Me)

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Super Garlicky Aioli

We thought we’d round off our list with another classic iteration of aioli. This garlic-infused version is perfect for all your aioli needs, but we *especially* love it with French fries and a glass of white wine. Cheers! (via Tasty Kitchen)

Follow us on Pinterest, and don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more creative aioli recipes and food inspo!

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser. This article originally appeared in 2017 as part of our Hit Refresh series.

Header image via Minimalist Baker.

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Maggie McCracken

Maggie is a writer and editor currently based in Chicago. She writes about mindfulness, astrology, nutrition, self-development, and fitness, and has a background in yoga instruction.

Move Over, Mayo: These 30 Aioli Recipes Meet All Your Dipping Needs (2024)

FAQs

What makes aioli different from mayo? ›

Unlike mayonnaise, which is made by emulsifying oil into egg yolks, aioli is made by pounding garlic into a paste and then gradually adding olive oil to the mixture, creating a thick and creamy sauce. The garlic gives aioli its characteristic pungent flavor, while the olive oil adds richness and depth.

What is an aioli sauce made of? ›

What is aioli sauce made of? At it's simplest, an aioli recipe starts with egg yolks and olive oil which is seasoned with a little lemon juice, a generous pinch of salt, maybe a little dijon mustard, and most often garlic. The two liquids are emulsified together so they don't separate over time.

What the heck is aioli? ›

Nowadays, the word aioli is pretty much synonymous with mayo, and is often just a simple mayonnaise (store-bought or homemade) that is flavored generously with garlic—a nod to its origins.

Is mayonnaise or aioli better for you? ›

Given that aïoli is basically mayo with added garlic, the comparative level of healthiness is pretty similar: fat from the oil, cholesterol from the egg yolk, plenty of delicious calories.

Is aioli just garlic mayonnaise? ›

The Difference Between Aioli and Mayo

Although aioli and mayonnaise are both creamy emulsions, aioli is made from garlic and olive oil while mayo is made from egg yolks and canola oil. The final result may look similar but the two sauces have distinctly different flavors.

Is garlic aioli the same as aioli? ›

A thick garlic sauce, aioli is a traditional condiment in the cuisine of Provence, France, and Catalonia, Spain. True aioli is an emulsion created with just garlic and extra virgin olive oil. This makes the common menu item, “garlic aioli,” rather redundant. In fact, the name aioli translates to "garlic oil."

Is aioli just fancy mayo? ›

Kidding aside, American eating has essentially defined aioli as fancy flavored mayo, usually flavored with garlic but also blended with everything from black truffles to chipotle chiles. In France and Spain, though, aioli is a different sauce entirely.

Does aioli have raw egg? ›

I love aioli, of all types. Though making your own aioli (like mayonnaise) calls for raw egg yolks. Food safety in mind, I prefer to temper my eggs in a double boiler, much like one does when making hollandaise sauce. Alternatively, these days, you can purchase pasteurized eggs in most grocery stores.

Why does aioli taste so good? ›

Even when egg yolk is included in aioli, it still differs greatly from mayonnaise. That's because of the strong garlic flavor and the use of extra virgin olive oil, which has a distinct flavor of its own.

What do Americans call aioli? ›

Since about 1990, it has become common in the United States to call all flavored mayonnaises aioli. Purists insist that flavored mayonnaise can contain garlic, but true aioli contains garlic and no other seasoning (except salt).

Is eating aioli healthy? ›

Overall, aioli offers minimal health benefits but it does enhance the flavor and palatability of the dishes it is added to like meats, vegetables, and sandwiches. There is even some evidence that when a consumer enjoys the taste of their food, they may find it more satiating, which in turn may aid in weight management.

What's the difference between an aioli and an alioli? ›

Both are used to describe a Mediterranean sauce or dip that originated in Catalonia, in the northeast of Spain, and across the border on the French Mediterranean coast. The term 'aioli' is more commonly used in French and English, while 'alioli' is also used in Spanish and Catalan.

Why is my aioli bitter? ›

If your garlic has started to sprout, or it's just been hanging in your pantry for a while, it can have a bitter taste. Try making your aioli with fresh garlic.

Which is worse for cholesterol butter or mayonnaise? ›

There are 5 milligrams of cholesterol in 1 tablespoon of Hellman's regular mayo, 4 milligrams in 1 tablespoon of reduced fat olive oil mayo and no cholesterol in Kraft fat-free mayo. Each tablespoon of regular butter contains 31 milligrams of cholesterol, but light butter has no cholesterol.

Is aioli OK for high cholesterol? ›

Making a healthier shift to aioli

With its roots from the South of France, Aioli is a sauce composed of mayonnaise, olive oil, garlic, and eggs. It's technically a form of traditional homemade garlic mayonnaise. It contains a healthy mixture of protein vitamin E and has compounds that can lower cholesterol.

Does aioli and mayo taste the same? ›

What Is the Difference Between Aioli and Mayonnaise? Although both aioli and mayo are creamy, white emulsions made with egg, the two condiments have distinctly different flavors. That's because aioli is made with olive oil, while mayonnaise is made with a neutral oil.

Does aioli always have raw egg? ›

I love aioli, of all types. Though making your own aioli (like mayonnaise) calls for raw egg yolks. Food safety in mind, I prefer to temper my eggs in a double boiler, much like one does when making hollandaise sauce. Alternatively, these days, you can purchase pasteurized eggs in most grocery stores.

What is the main flavor of aioli? ›

“Aioli” (pronounced AH-yo-lee, by the way) is a fancy word for emulsified oil with a bit—or a lot, depending on where you are—of garlic. It's a rich and creamy sauce with both Mediterranean and French roots. The traditional method of making aioli is emulsifying oil into mashed garlic.

Why do people call mayonnaise aioli? ›

The name 'aioli' itself is a compound of the words 'garlic and oil' in Catalan and Provencal languages. Aioli is characterised by its lightly spicy garlic flavour and yellowish colouring from the olive oil.

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