Make delicious lemon garlic aioli in 5 minutes with this simple ‘cheat’ – combining vegan mayo, garlic, lemon, and a couple of spices for a mouthwateringly delicious condiment to dip, drizzle, and spread!
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What Is Garlic Aioli?
Garlic aioli (called allioli in Catalan and alioli in Spanish - meaning garlic and oil) is a creamy condiment popular in the Mediterranean and Europe. It’s traditionally made by emulsifying olive oil, garlic, and salt into a rich, creamy consistency, similar to mayonnaise.
In fact, when comparing aioli vs. mayo, the main difference is the inclusion of eggs in mayonnaise for a thicker, richer consistency. Having said that, several modern aioli recipes now include egg, even if it isn't authentic.
Unfortunately, making emulsions can be complex and sometimes time-consuming, and there’s nothing worse than a broken emulsion when you’re in a rush. Which is where wonderful ‘shortcut’ versions like the one I’m using today have grown in popularity. What's the secret? Vegan mayonnaise!
If you're looking for more sauce recipes to whip up, you'll enjoy this easy vegan cheese sauce, creamy vegan sausage gravy, and easy cranberry pear sauce.
Super Creamy 5-Minute Lemon Garlic Aioli Recipe
For this 5-minute ‘cheat’ version, there are no eggs involved, no need to get out a blender, and no need to worry about broken emulsions. Instead, all you need to do is combine pre-made vegan mayonnaise with the remaining ingredients, mix it well, and enjoy! It’s garlicky, tangy, savory, and dreamily creamy – it’ll blow your mind.
Even better, there are multiple ways to adapt the flavor of this garlic aioli recipe with very little added effort – keep reading for all my favorite aioli recipe variations. It’s quick, simple, and delicious enough that you’ll want to enjoy this delicious and versatile condiment with everything.
The Garlic Lemon Aioli Ingredients
Add a small amount of Dijon mustard for extra sharpness and depth and/or nutritional yeast for an umami-rich, nutty, 'cheesy' flavor.
Vegan Aioli Flavor Variations
- Rosemary aioli: Add 1-2 sprigs of finely chopped fresh rosemary.
- Other herbs: Several herbs pair well with this garlic aioli recipe, including basil, parsley, oregano, and chives.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Finely chopped and mixed into the garlic aioli sauce.
- Pesto: Add your favorite pesto (red or green) to taste.
- Curry powder: Replace the smoked paprika and cayenne with a pinch (or more) of curry powder (mild, medium, or hot)- with or without lemon juice.
- Roasted garlic aioli: Roasted garlic has a sweeter, slightly caramelized, mellower flavor than raw garlic (so more will be needed).
- Truffle aioli: Add a small amount (starting with just a teaspoon) of truffle oil.
- Roasted red pepper aioli: I prefer to add a small amount of concentrated red pepper paste vs. roasted red peppers, which will make a thinner sauce.
- Garlic avocado aioli: Replace some of the vegan mayo with pureed avocado.
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How to Make Garlic Aioli
Step 1: Juice the lemon and peel and mince the garlic. Then, add all the lemon garlic aioli ingredients to a bowl/lidded jar and mix well. Taste and adjust any of the ingredients to your liking, then transfer it to the fridge to allow the flavors to meld for at least 30 minutes. Enjoy!
I like to zest any lemons first and save it in a Ziplock/Stasher bag in the freezer to use later.
FAQs
Traditionally, aioli, unlike mayonnaise, is egg-free, relying only on oil for the emulsion. However, many modern recipes now contain egg (and use it interchangeably to describe flavored mayo) and aren’t vegan-friendly.
For this ‘cheat’ version, though, I’m using pre-made vegan mayonnaise and adding my flavorings to it for a super simple vegan garlic aioli in minutes.
No, I don’t recommend freezing any emulsion-based product (which includes vegan mayo), as it can break upon thawing.
Pro Recipe Tips and Notes
- Use high-quality vegan mayonnaise: Make sure it’s a brand you enjoy (or even make your own) for the best flavored vegan aioli.
- Allow the flavors to meld: Though you can enjoy vegan alioli immediately if preferred, leaving it to ‘marinate’ for 30 minutes (an hour is even better) will enhance the overall flavor further.
- Adjust to taste: Mix the ingredients, then taste and adjust to your liking. If you plan to allow time for the flavors to meld, do that first, THEN adjust any ingredients before serving.
How to Use Vegan Aioli?
As condiments go, this vegan aioli sauce is one of my absolute favorites, ready to enjoy with practically any savory meal. Here are just a few ways to enjoy it.
- To dip fries – regular, crispy roasted sweet potato wedges, air fryer tater tots, etc.
- As a spread in vegan sandwiches, wraps, over bagels, vegan burgers, etc.
- In fajitas (like these instant pot fajita vegetables), vegan black bean tacos with veggies, and this butternut squash black bean burrito.
- Dip fritters, dumplings, onion rings, easy vegan jalapeno poppers, and other appetizers.
- With vegan nuggets and other meat alternatives.
- Within sauces – i.e., for vegan pasta salad, potato salad, coleslaw, etc.
- To make salad dressings or marinades.
- Enjoy it with grilled and roasted veggies (like these garlic herb oven roasted vegetables)
- To dip vegan pizza (like this flatbread mini pizza) and air fryer pizza rolls.
Storage Instructions
Store the homemade aioli in a clean jar in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. I don’t recommend storing it for longer than that because of the raw garlic.
However, if you use garlic powder, it will last longer, possibly up to 2 weeks.
5-Minute Vegan Garlic Aioli
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 garlic clove, pressed
- 1 cup vegan mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon of smoked paprika
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- In a mason jar with a lid, add the garlic, mayo, lemon juice, smoked paprika, cayenne, and black pepper.
- Mix well and add more lemon juice or spices if needed.
- Store in the fridge.
Notes
- Use high-quality vegan mayonnaise: Make sure it’s a brand you enjoy (or even make your own) for the best flavored vegan aioli.
- Allow the flavors to meld: Though you can enjoy vegan alioli immediately if preferred, leaving it to ‘marinate’ for 30 minutes (an hour is even better) will enhance the overall flavor further.
- Adjust to taste: Mix the ingredients, then taste and adjust to your liking. If you plan to allow time for the flavors to meld, do that first, THEN adjust any ingredients before serving.
Casey says
Loved this last night's (non-vegan) beef tenderloin. Thanks!