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    Home » Recipes » Summer Recipes

    Basil Aioli

    Published: Jul 28, 2022 · Modified: Jun 16, 2023 by Heather · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 723 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.

    Basil aioli is the perfect way to use up extra basil from the summer garden. It's bright and filled with fresh basil, with a flavor similar to a pesto aioli.

    Aioli is a cold sauce that's traditionally made with garlic, salt, and olive oil (and sometimes eggs). It has a similar texture to mayonnaise, which is why mayonnaise often used as a base for quick aioli recipes (like this one!).

    This basil aioli is made with mayonnaise, lemon juice, fresh garlic, and fresh basil leaves. Using a food processor eliminates most of the prep work involved. Simply toss in your ingredients and blend until smooth.

    Spread basil aioli on your next grilled lemon pepper chicken sandwich or burger. Or, use as a dipping sauce for fries, chicken tenders, onion rings, and crab cakes.

    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 drift closer to a mayonnaise and include eggs and lemon juice.

    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?

    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.
    Making basil aioli in a food processor.

    How long does aioli last?

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

    Make ahead

    After preparing your aioli, I highly recommend allowing 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 highly recommend serving it within one day of preparing for freshest flavor.

    Preparing without a food processor

    You may be thinking, can I make basil aioli without a food processor? Of course! All you need is a sharp knife and a cutting board.

    Mince your basil leaves and garlic cloves as small as possible. Then, add to a bowl along with your mayonnaise, lemon juice, and salt. Whisk until combined.

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

    Ways to use basil aioli

    Aioli can be used as a spread or a thick dipping sauce. Use it in any situation where you'd normally use a creamy sauce or spread (like mayonnaise on a sandwich).

    • On a hamburger
    • On a tomato sandwich
    • With crab cakes
    • On a grilled chicken sandwich
    • With French fries
    • With chicken tenders
    • As a dip for a veggie tray
    • With oven roasted potatoes
    • With shrimp

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    📖 Recipe

    A glass bowl filled with basil aioli with a metal spoon.
    Print Recipe
    4.63 from 8 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

    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

    • 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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    1. 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 of The Toasty Kitchen. I love cooking with real, unfussy ingredients, and I want to help you make homemade meals with ease.

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