Aioli: Garlic Mayonnaise

By
Molly Watson
Molly Watson
An award-winning food writer and cookbook author, Molly Watson has created more than 1,000 recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 02/18/21
Garlic aioli in a white serving dish on a blue napkin
The Spruce
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
253 Calories
28g Fat
1g Carbs
1g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 253
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 28g 36%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 31mg 10%
Sodium 121mg 5%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 1mg 3%
Calcium 8mg 1%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 23mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Aioli, a garlic-flavored emulsion, is a popular condiment originating from Provence, France that's very similar to Spanish alioli. It is typically described as a garlic mayo and is easier to whip up than you may think. The trick to getting the signature thick texture is to add the oil very slowly at first, allowing the egg and the oil to emulsify. You can do this two different ways: using either a blender or a whisk and a bowl. The blender method is faster and easier since you're not physically whisking it, but the aioli can also separate quickly, so watch it carefully. The whisking method may take a bit more effort, but it gives you the most control over adding the oil and the final texture of the aioli. This recipe calls for using a whole egg, and although most recipes call for just an egg yolk, using the whole egg works just fine.

Aioli is delicious as a dip for grilled or steamed vegetables, or dolloped onto simply cooked fish or spread as a condiment on a burger. You may even be tempted to eat it by the spoonful, which may not be a great idea in terms of nutrition, but it is delicious.

1:04

Click Play to See This Aioli: Garlic Mayonnaise Recipe Come Together

Ingredients

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  • 1 clove garlic, crushed or minced

  • 1/2 teaspoon ​​Dijon-style mustard

  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup olive oil (or a mix of olive oil and canola or vegetable oil)

  • Salt, to taste

  • Black pepper, to taste

Steps to Make It

Test both the blender and whisk methods to see which one works best for you.

Blender Method

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Aioli Recipe
     The Spruce

  2. Whirl the egg, lemon juice, garlic, and mustard in a blender to combine.

    Aioli Recipe
     The Spruce

  3. With the blender running on low speed, drip the oil in slowly, allowing each addition to incorporate into the egg mixture before adding more. As more oil is incorporated, you can add the oil more quickly, working up to a slow stream.

    Aioli Recipe
     The Spruce

  4. As you add the oil, the mixture will thicken, changing from a liquidy mix of the beaten egg to a creamy-looking spread. If it's too thick, you can thin it a bit with drops of lemon juice. Don't try to thin it with more oil—it will actually make it thicker.

    Aioli Recipe
     The Spruce

  5. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately or cover and chill for later use.

    Aioli Recipe
     The Spruce

  6. Serve and enjoy.

Whisk Method

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, lemon juice, garlic, and mustard.

    Aioli Recipe
     The Spruce

  2. Set the bowl on a silicone oven pad or wrap the bottom of the bowl in a kitchen towel to keep the bowl still on the counter without having to hold it.

    Aioli Recipe
     The Spruce

  3. Whisking constantly, add the oil, drop by drop, allowing each addition to incorporate into the egg mixture before adding more. As more oil is incorporated, you can add the oil in a stream.

    Aioli Recipe
     The Spruce

  4. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Whisk in more lemon juice (a drop at a time) to taste, or use the lemon juice to thin the aioli, if needed.

    Aioli Recipe
     The Spruce

  5. Serve the aioli immediately, or cover and chill for later use.

Tip

If the aioli separates and goes from being creamy to looking more like an egg-and-oil combo, there's an easy way to fix it. Start over with a fresh egg and a few tablespoons of oil in a clean bowl. Once you get the emulsion working, add the broken version in place of the remaining amount of the oil.

How to Store Aioli

The aioli will keep two to three days covered in the refrigerator. Keep in mind the garlic taste will get stronger as the aioli sits.

What's the Difference Between Aioli and Mayonnaise?

Although restaurant menus may name any flavored mayo "aioli," the two condiments are not completely synonymous with each other. Like mayonnaise, aioli is an emulsion, but where they differ is that aioli always includes garlic as the main seasoning. In addition, whereas mayo includes eggs, not all versions of aioli do. The traditional Spanish aioli is made by laboriously and vigorously whipping garlic and oil together until an emulsion forms. The term aioli, in fact, is a combination of the French words meaning garlic (ai) and oil (oil). There are many variations of aioli, some as basic as garlic and oil and others including eggs, lemon juice, and/or mustard.