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Home » Recipes » Summer Recipes

Basil Aioli

Modified: Apr 29, 2025 · Published: Jul 28, 2022 by Heather · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 689 words. · About 4 minutes to read this article.

Jump to Recipe
Basil aioli recipe.
Basil aioli recipe.
Basil aioli recipe.

Basil aioli is made with fresh basil, garlic, and lemon juice - bright, flavorful, and perfect for summer! It makes a great spread for sandwiches and burgers, or dipping sauce for fries.

A glass bowl filled with basil aioli with a metal spoon.

Recipe summary

Flavor/texture: Creamy, thick, fresh, bright.

Simple and quick: While not a traditional aioli, this quick aioli is made with a mayonnaise base along with lemon juice, fresh garlic, and fresh basil.

Great for: Topping a chicken sandwich, dipping sauce for fries and onion rings, serving with crab cakes.

Serve with: Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Sandwich, Grilled Chicken Tenders, Roasted Zucchini and Squash

Similar to: Spicy Aioli and Walnut Pesto

Jump to:
  • Recipe summary
  • Ingredients and substitutions
  • How to make basil aioli
  • Tips and tricks
  • Make ahead
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Recommended
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Comments

Ingredients and substitutions

Ingredients on a counter top.
  • Mayonnaise - Feel free to use homemade or store bought mayonnaise.
  • Basil - You'll need about 30 fresh basil leaves, about ½ cup lightly packed, for this recipe.
  • Lemon juice - Can be substituted with apple cider vinegar.
  • Garlic - Fresh garlic adds the best flavor to your aioli, but it can be substituted with garlic powder if needed. Add ½ teaspoon of garlic powder to substitute two cloves of garlic.
  • Salt - Salt enhances the flavor of the other ingredients. Feel free to adjust as desired to suit your tastes.

How to make basil aioli

Making basil aioli in a food processor.
  1. Add ingredients to the bowl of a food processor.
  2. Pulse until ingredients are combined and smooth.

Tips and tricks

Prepare without a food processor - All you need is a sharp knife and a cutting board. Mince your basil leaves and garlic cloves as small as possible. Add to a bowl along with your mayonnaise, lemon juice, and salt and whisk to combine.

Variations - Substitute the basil with other fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, dill, or chives.

Make ahead

After preparing your aioli, allow it to set in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld.

If you're making aioli for an event or party, I recommend serving it within one day of preparing for freshest flavor.

Close up of creamy aioli with flecks of basil in a glass bowl.

Frequently asked questions

What is aioli?

Traditionally, aioli is a creamy sauce that's made from an emulsion of olive oil and mashed garlic. Some versions of aioli include eggs and lemon juice, similar to a mayonnaise. Because of this, many "quick aioli" recipes are made with a base of mayonnaise to save time.

Isn't this a flavored mayonnaise, not an aioli?

Since about 1990 (per Wikipedia), it is common for any type of flavored mayonnaise to be referred to as an aioli. The two have a similar consistency and are often used in the same ways, but can contain different ingredients. If you'd like to learn more, here's a great article on the subject: Bon Appetit - OK, What is Aioli, Anyway?

What ways can I use aioli?

Basil aioli can be used as a dipping sauce or spread. Use it in any situation where you'd normally use a creamy sauce or spread (like mayonnaise on a sandwich). A few ideas: hamburgers, brats, shrimp, chicken tenders, crab cakes, or on a veggie tray.

How long does basil aioli last?

Basil aioli will keep for up to 7 days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.

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📖 Recipe

A glass bowl filled with basil aioli with a metal spoon.
Print Recipe
4.47 from 13 reviews

Basil Aioli

Basil aioli is made with fresh basil, garlic, and lemon juice - bright, flavorful, and perfect for summer! It makes a great spread for sandwiches and burgers, or dipping sauce for fries.
Prep Time5 minutes minutes
Total Time5 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 193kcal
Author: Heather

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup basil leaves, lightly packed (about 30 leaves)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
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Instructions

  • In the bowl of a food processor, add mayonnaise, basil leaves, garlic cloves, lemon juice, and salt. Cover and blend until smooth. (If you don't have a food processor, mince basil leaves and garlic cloves as small as possible, add to a bowl with remaining ingredients, and whisk until incorporated).
  • Cover and store in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Use as a condiment on sandwiches or as a dipping sauce for fries, chicken tenders, and more.

Equipment Recommendations

  • Measuring Spoons
  • Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls
  • OXO Metal Balloon Whisk
  • Dry Measuring Cups

Notes

  • Storage: Aioli will keep for about 7 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator, but is best served within 1-2 days for freshest flavor.

Nutrition Estimate

Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 251mg | Potassium: 16mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 123IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: American

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    4.47 from 13 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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  1. Jen P

    August 18, 2024 at 2:40 pm

    This is absolutely AMAZING! I've used it on several dishes, from veggies burgers, grilled cheese to fish. And it's great as a dip for chips and fries! I just made a fresh batch this morning. Can't wait to eat it again!

    Reply
  2. Adrienne

    July 31, 2024 at 7:26 pm

    We don’t really eat mayonnaise. Could I use Greek yogurt?

    Reply
    • Heather

      July 31, 2024 at 7:36 pm

      Yes, I'm sure Greek yogurt would work just fine as a substitute.

      Reply
  3. Mary Tavera

    June 17, 2023 at 10:50 am

    This recipe is super delicious. I would lower the amount of garlic for me. I made a whole recipe and I only used a quarter of it. I don't want the rest to go to waste. I am wondering if I could freeze it for future use. It's just for me alone and I would portion in in 2 oz size for when I need some for sandwiches. Please let me know and thank you.

    Reply
    • Heather

      June 17, 2023 at 10:59 am

      Hi Mary, glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Unfortunately mayonnaise based sauce do not freeze well - when thawed, the emulsion breaks and the sauce separates.

      For future recipes, servings can be reduced by hovering over the serving size in the recipe card and using the sliding bar. This adjusts all of the ingredient measurements for you. Hope this helps!

      Reply

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Heather of The Toasty Kitchen

Hi, I'm Heather!

I love cooking with simple, everyday ingredients and want to help you make homemade meals with ease.

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