Shortcut Aioli (Garlic Mayo) Recipe

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Servings: 8 servings

Today, aioli (“EH-oh-lee”) popularly refers to any sort of garlic-flavored mayonnaise. Originating in the Mediterranean, it is often identical to mayo in color and texture. (In fact, some historians believe aioli gave birth to mayonnaise.) The term aioli is used interchangeably with mayonnaise on many restaurant menus, leading to understandable confusion. However, aioli is different from mayonnaise because aioli contains garlic by definition. Mayonnaise, on the other hand, does not. Mayonnaise often contains some sort of acid like lemon juice or vinegar, while aioli traditionally does not. And, a note: While you’ll often see it called aioli sauce or aioli mayo, this is technically redundant because the word aioli itself indicates a mayo-like sauce.

Depending how much garlic it contains, the flavor of aioli can range from subtle to very strong. Traditionally raw garlic is used, and a lot of it. However, aioli should not taste at all harsh or raw, thanks to the fineness of the garlic paste and the emulsion formed with the oil. 

In Catalonia in the north of Spain where aioli is traditionally found, it is a simple triumvirate of garlic, olive oil, and salt. (There it is spelled allioli or alioli in Catalan or Spanish, respectively, and literally translates to "garlic and oil.") There are no eggs to speak of in the preparation; the garlic is minced to oblivion in a mortar and pestle and the oil is incorporated slowly, until a beautifully opaque emulsion forms. This is similar to toum, a Lebanese sauce of garlic, oil, salt, and lemon juice. Both preparations are traditionally egg-free and vegan. 

North of Catalonia in Provence, the South of France, aioli is also popular. There, it commonly features egg yolks, and sometimes even mustard. The Catalonian version is more garlicky; the French version less so, but still more garlicky than typical American versions. 

This particular recipe uses store-bought mayonnaise, cutting down on preparation time, effort, as well as risks of salmonella. Store-bought mayonnaise often uses pasteurized eggs to reduce the risk of food-borne illness. Because this recipe does not contain raw eggs, it is safer for immune-compromised and pregnant women to eat. If you are look for a recipe from scratch, however, this Spanish aioli recipe incorporates raw eggs in the traditional method.

Enjoy this aioli simply with good crusty bread, as is customary in Spain. Or pair with grilled seafood, steamed artichoke hearts, or the spiced fried potatoes that are patatas bravas.

shortcut aioli in a bowl

The Spruce/Bahareh Niati

"Despite its simplicity, this is a very flavorful version of aioli. After just 30 minutes refrigerated, the garlic flavor was perfectly developed and created a delicious sandwich spread and veggie dip. Execution is easy. Be patient working the garlic and salt into a paste. It takes time and effort." —Colleen Graham

Shortcut Aioli/Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 3 cloves garlic

  • Kosher salt, as needed

  • 1 cup mayonnaise

  • 2 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    ingredients to make shortcut aioli (garlic mayo) recipe

    The Spruce/Bahareh Niati

  2. Crush the garlic cloves with the flat of a knife, and remove the skin. Then mince the garlic very finely.

    chopped garlic on cutting board with knife

    The Spruce/Bahareh Niati

  3. Add a pinch of salt, and using the flat of the knife again, scrape and press the garlic against the cutting surface to make a paste that is as smooth as possible. It's making this paste from the fresh garlic that gives aioli its intense garlic flavor.

    Note that making a smooth paste is key to the success of this sauce. If you don't spend a few minutes on this step, you will be left with small bits of raw and harsh-tasting garlic, which will not do justice to the magic of aioli.

    smashed garlic on a cutting board with salt and knife

    The Spruce/Bahareh Niati

  4. Add the garlic to a small bowl, and whisk together with mayonnaise, lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.

    mayo, lemon juice and garlic in a bowl

    The Spruce/Bahareh Niati

Recipe Variations

  • Roasted Garlic Aioli: Roast the garlic before you mince it and add it to the aioli to also a create a softer, sweeter, more gentle flavor. This is great for chicken, sandwiches, or dipping french fries.
  • Lemon Pepper Aioli: Add 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons more of the lemon juice along with some lemon zest and 1 to 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper. Mix to combine. This aioli is wonderful for lamb, chicken, or sandwiches.
  • Mixed Herb Aioli: Chop up 1/4 to 1/3 cup of fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or dill and then add it to the aioli. Mix to combine. This variation would be a treat for any sandwich.
  • Cilantro Lime Aioli: Combine 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice with 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and mix it with the aioli base. This variation would be wonderful on a quesadilla or some other Mexican-inspired dish.
  • Chipotle Lime: Mince 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and combine that with the aioli base from this recipe, 2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lime juice, and 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of chopped chives. This option is a lovely addition to a grilled chicken sandwich or for dipping some delicious sweet potato fries.
  • Rosemary Aioli: Chop up 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary and add them to the aioli. Stir to combine. This aioli pairs well with any type of meat, but we find that it works wonderfully for meatballs.

How To Store

The shelf life of store-bought mayonnaise is up to two months in the fridge, per Foodsafety.gov. An aioli like this one should have a similar refrigerated shelf life, perhaps a little less. It depends how often you take it out of the fridge to use it, the coldness of your fridge (be sure to not overcrowd your fridge, cold air should be able to adequately flow around items), and whether bacteria is introduced (be sure to use a dry, clean spoon). Homemade aioli without eggs will keep seven to 10 days in the fridge; homemade aioli with raw eggs will keep two to three days in the fridge.

Is Mayo Healthier Than Aioli?

It depends whether your primary concern is calories or something like antioxidants, for example. Mayonnaise is often made with a neutral oil like canola oil, whereas aioli is traditionally made with olive oil. While canola oil and extra-virgin olive oil both have a comparable calorie count, extra-virgin olive oil is better known for its nutritional benefits like omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Because this particular recipe is made with store-bought mayonnaise, its nutritional profile is mostly dependent on which type of mayonnaise you purchase. Nowadays, you can easily purchase mayonnaise made with a variety of oils like extra-virgin olive oil and avocado oil.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
189 Calories
21g Fat
1g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 189
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g 26%
Saturated Fat 3g 16%
Cholesterol 12mg 4%
Sodium 248mg 11%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 1mg 3%
Calcium 4mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 12mg 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.)
Article Sources
The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. US Food and Drug Administration. Dairy and Eggs from Food Safety for Moms to Be. Updated September 27, 2018.