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Basil Garlic Aioli sauce made from scratch only takes a few minutes to make and the result is a flavorful dip or spread that packs a real raw garlic punch.
This basil garlic aioli recipes yields a pesto aioli sauce that is perfect on sandwiches like a French Dip and tasty homemade burgers, but it also pairs deliciously well with air fryer fries! Don’t forget fancy dinners too – if you’re cooking a prime rib roast, you can serve this aioli as a dipping sauce if you don’t want to make horseradish sauce.
Why this recipe works:
Homemade Basil Garlic Aioli is a great way to use the basil from the garden, or from the store if you aren’t the best gardener. This is a perfectly easy recipe to make and it is one of the most flavorful dip recipes I’ve ever enjoyed.
Whether you use it as a dip for your fries and tater tots or as a spread on a stuffed burger or a prime rib sandwich, you will love this garlic aioli recipe.
Ingredients:
- Oil: I actually use a combination of olive oil and vegetable oil (combined in the photo below)
- Salt: I use kosher but that’s a matter of preference
- Egg yolks
- Lemon juice: fresh squeezed is best
- Garlic: needs to be minced and fresh is best
- Basil: clean and dry
How to make homemade basil garlic aioli:
The trick is to emulsify all ingredients except the oil first. That means fully blend them until they are fully mixed and thick.
Then, you will simply add the oil in a thin steady stream while the aioli is blending and it will thicken as the oil is added.
Recipe tips:
- You can make homemade aioli sauce in the food processor, blender or with an immersion blender. I’ve made it using all three methods and I much prefer the immersion blender.
- This sauce will be thinner than mayonnaise.
- Once fully mixed, taste and add additional salt if desired.
Leftover aioli. Now what?
How to enjoy this recipe:
- You can use garlic aioli as dressing for potato or tuna or chicken salad.
- Dip steamed artichoke leaves in aioli!
- Make potatoes aioli. It’s a potato salad with boiled potatoes, aioli, and fresh parsley… typical in Spain.
- Use basil aioli as a sauce on grilled fish or chicken, on grilled or steamed vegetables.
- If you want to get real fancy, you could make a traditional French aioli platter: Take a large tray/platter, and put a bowl of aioli in the center. Surround this with cooked & trimmed artichokes, poached cod, beef carpaccio, blanched snow peas and green beans, steamed new potatoes, cherry tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, sliced red bell pepper, sliced zucchini…really, whatever vegetables appeal to you. You can leave out the meat and fish entirely, or do shrimp instead. Sprinkle the whole platter with chopped parsley and capers, and enjoy!
- Basically, anything your average store bought mayo is used for can be replaced with flavorful homemade aioli.
More Aioli Recipes May Like
- Chipotle Aioli
- Green Chile Aioli
- Roasted Red Pepper Aioli
- Remoulade
- Spicy Cilantro Lime Aioli
- Homemade Sesame Mayonnaise
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Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons fresh basil about one large handful of leaves
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced (about 2-3 large cloves)
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Place basil, garlic, yolks, lemon juice, and salt in food processor. Pulse to combine.
- Turn processor on and slowly pour in olive oil mixed with the vegetable oil. Process until aioli forms, about a minute. Turn processor off, scrap sides, process again until combined.
- Serve immediately or store in air tight container in refrigerator until ready to use. Makes approximately one cup.
Notes
- You can make homemade aioli sauce in the food processor, blender or with an immersion blender. I’ve made it using all three methods and I much prefer the immersion blender.
- This sauce will be thinner than mayonnaise.
- Once fully mixed, taste and add additional salt if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe was originally published in November 2017 and has been updated with helpful information, ingredient and process photos, as well as recipe tips. Don’t worry – the recipe hasn’t changed!
This was delicious! I have been looking for a basil aioli and this recipe exceeded expectations. Loved the combo of olive and veg oils as well. Slow and steady with the oil drizzle and perfect every time. I added two drops of tabasco in the end.
Are you not worried about using raw eggs?
I’m definitely not telling anyone that it is 100% safe to eat raw eggs, but we do it all the time. I’ve been making homemade mayo for years and that uses raw eggs. The real danger with raw eggs comes with what’s on the shells, so I always wash them very well before cracking if eating the egg raw.
I made this to go on fajitas tonight and it was HEAVEN. So easy to make with my immersion blender. Great with a drizzle of Sriracha too. I will definitely be making this again!
Why raw egg yolks???
Aioli and mayonnaise are almost always made with raw egg. They act as an emulsifier.
How long can this be kept in the fridge for?
Because the basil is fresh and oxidizes easily, it really should be consumed within a day or two.
I love the flavors, and so easy to make, however, mine looks NOTHING like the photo-wish out was creamier :0(
I find that when I make aioli and mayonnaise, the results can vary drastically depending on the size and quality of the egg. I have backyard chickens and the yolks are exceptional, so it’s possible you may have needed to increase the egg yolk to get a more creamy consistency.
Can this be frozen?
I have never frozen aioli.
Can I use straight olive oil? I do t have any vegetable oil on hand.
Yep! Although I find lite olive oil works better than extra virgin when I’m emulsifying it with egg.
very easy to follow and tastes amazing! i put in extra garlic to make it pack a punch! honestly fool proof recipe!
I added an extra handful of fresh basil and 1/4 less oil to make it thicker. I substituted olive oil with avocado oil. Came out perfect.