Herb Aioli Recipe with Garlic

Name: Herb Aioli Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 2 large egg yolks; 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard or honey mustard; 2 teaspoons lemon juice; ⅓ to ½ cup olive oil (adjust to desired thickness); 2 Tablespoons fresh-chopped herbs, such as rosemary, oregano, and/or basil. (see notes); 2 teaspoons minced garlic (4 cloves); ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt & pepper (or more to taste)

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Make this easy Garlic Herb Aioli recipe for a delicious Mediterranean sauce perfect for dipping crackers, veggies, topping fish or chicken, drizzling over potatoes, and more!

Overhead photo of garlic aioli with pepper corns and herbs in a white bowl.

I first learned about aioli while living in New Zealand. Yes, that’s where my husband is from. It’s a magical place with delicious food! But ask for mayonnaise on your burger, and you’ll receive a funny look. Well, at least from your kiwi husband. Aioli is a must!

Often confused with mayonnaise, traditional aioli sauce is made with garlic, salt, and olive oil. So, keeping true to our spring produce theme, we decided to lighten things up a bit with the use of fresh herbs such as rosemary and oregano. When it comes to this homemade garlic aioli, the lemon-pine flavors of rosemary paired with the peppery taste of oregano are the perfect balance to even out the richness of eggs and mustard.

An artichoke leaf being dipped into a bowl of garlic aioli.

As a result, we’re left with a perfectly thick and beautiful sauce idea for all your recipe needs! If you’re looking for even more sauces and condiments, be sure to take a look at this Roasted Red Pepper Sauce, Homemade Chipotle Mayo, or these 3 Spring Pesto Sauce Recipes.

Now, back to the recipe …

Why You’ll Love How to Make This Garlic Herb Aioli Recipe

It comes together with 8 simple, gluten-free, nutritious ingredients.
You can pair it with all your favorite main courses and side dishes for a boost of herbaceous, garlicky, lemony flavor.
From start to finish, it’s ready in 15 minutes.
You can make a big batch to enjoy throughout the week.

Simple Ingredients You’ll Need

As mentioned, just a handful of items are all you need to make this simple herb aioli recipe, meaning it’s budget-friendly and easy to create! Here’s what’s included:

Overhead image of olive oil, spices, mustard, garlic cloves, lemon wedges, egg yolks, and fresh herbs on a wooden plank.

Egg Yolks – This replaces the need for mayonnaise, recreating the same rich flavor and creamy texture we look for in aioli while adding a boost of healthy fats.
Mustard – Dijon mustard or honey mustard is used to create a bit of tang.
Lemon Juice – The acidity helps cut through the heaviness of the fat, brightening the recipe and giving it a refreshing boost.
Olive Oil – Used to emulsify the ingredients, creating a smooth texture.
Garlic – You can’t have an aioli recipe without a good dose of garlic! For the best results, use fresh raw garlic cloves, and mince them yourself.
Herbs and Spices – A combination of Mediterranean herbs including dried rosemary and dried oregano along with crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt, and black flavor make this herb aioli better than any pre-made aioli you’ll find in the store.

Did you know? Health Benefits of this Recipe!

Not only is garlic appetizing, but it’s also extremely good for you! A member of the onion family, garlic is low in calories but high in vitamins and nutrients such as Manganese, vitamin B6, Calcium, Potassium, Iron, and more. This means that garlic can be used to prevent and reduce symptoms of illnesses like the flu and colds. In addition, it can reduce blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, improve bone health, and so much more!

Given the long list of health benefits included in garlic alone paired with the benefits of the healthy fats in egg yolks and olive oil, this Garlic Herb Aioli recipe is a super healthy addition to your diet.

How to Make Herb Aioli with Garlic

Learning how to make garlic aioli can be a little tricky because you have to get the emulsification process right. Otherwise, the ingredients won’t blend. Don’t worry, though! With the steps below, you’re guaranteed to have success.

Garlic Herb Aioli

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To make this recipe, start by placing your egg yolks, mustard, and lemon juice in a food processor or blender. Blend the ingredients until creamy.
Next, while your food processor or blender is still running, very slowly drizzle in your olive oil. You want the oil to come out as a thin stream.
It should take about 2 minutes to pour all of the oil into the mixture. So, be sure to take your time! Otherwise, it will not incorporate into the mixture.

Olive oil being slowly poured into a food processor to form an emulsion for aioli.

Overhead image of garlic herb aioli in a food processor.

Then, add your remaining herbs and spices to the homemade aioli. Process or blend the ingredients for another 20-30 seconds to ensure they are fully incorporated.
Finally, place the aioli sauce in a bowl, and let it refrigerate for at least 10 minutes before digging in!

Pro-Tip: Freeze your leftover egg whites to use in baking or omelettes. Or, take a look at the frequently asked questions below to find more recipes!

Optional Add-Ins and Substitutes

Don’t get me wrong, this herb aioli sauce is incredible on its own, but if you’re looking to get a little adventurous feel free to experiment with fun add-ins and additional flavors! For instance, to add a bit of heat, you could include a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes. Or, to make this homemade garlic aioli slightly more savory, take advantage of even more herbs such as dried basil, dried tarragon, dried parsley, dried dill, or chives.

Substitutes

Extra rich – Truffle oil can also make a great substitute for olive oil to add amazing depth and a rich, creaminess to this sauce. Really, there’s no right or wrong way to make aioli as long as you love it! Take a look at these 9 Tasty Ways to Dress up Aioli for more inspiration.

Extra Light – If you can tolerate dairy, try replacing the oil with plain yogurt! It will be just as creamy and delicious with a boost of extra protein.

Serving Suggestions

Now that you’ve made this Garlic Herb Aioli recipe, I know what you’re thinking. “What do I use it with?” No worries, I’ve got you covered! The great thing about homemade aioli recipe is that it pairs perfectly with pretty much anything you can think of. For example, it is delicious when paired with chicken, fish, or pork.

Two cooked artichokes next to a bowl of garlic aioli.

An artichoke on top of a bowl of garlic aioli.

Or, you can drizzle it over veggies like these Instant Pot Steamed Artichokes. If you’re looking for a more savory option, this garlic herb aioli recipe also makes a tasty addition to truffle fries, asparagus fries, veggie burgers, and cod cakes, and vegan Greek quinoa burgers.

How to Store

If you want to make a big batch of herb aioli, it can be placed in an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Just give it a good shake or stir before using it to redistribute the ingredients.

Homemade aioli cannot be frozen, because the emulsion will break!

Common Questions About This Garlic Herb Aioli Recipe

What’s the difference between aioli and mayo?

Similar in appearance, aioli, and mayo have very different flavor profiles. This is largely because aioli is made with pungent olive oil whereas mayonnaise is created with a neutral-tasting oil. In addition, aioli is marked by its notable garlic flavor while mayonnaise maintains a fairly bland, tangy taste.

What is an emulsion?

A common culinary term, an emulsion is a mixture of two or more liquids that normally cannot be combined. In Garlic Aioli, the egg yolk and lemon juice form an emulsion with the olive oil. This is why adding the oil slowly is so crucial to this recipe! If you want a super in-depth explanation of emulsions and how they work take a look at this article.

Can this Herb Aioli recipe be made vegan?

The short answer is yes, this Garlic Herb Aioli recipe can be made vegan. Be warned, though! It might take some testing to get it just right. I suggest using my cashew cream sauce in place of the egg yolk! Or, although it technically wouldn’t be homemade anymore, you could make a quick aioli using a premade soy-free vegan mayo as the base.

How can I thicken homemade aioli?

Luckily, if your homemade aioli becomes too thin there are ways to save it! The most effective thickening method is to remove your sauce from the processor or blender. Then, add in another egg yolk or two, and process it until smooth. Then, as you did with the oil, slowly (very slowly!) add the additional egg yolks back into the mixture.

How can I use the leftover egg whites?

Of course, you can cook the egg whites on their own like scrambled eggs. However, if you’re looking for a recipe to use them check out this Tex-Mex Egg and Cheese Cauliflower Casserole, Gluten Free Oatmeal Pumpkin Bread, Gluten-Free Lemon Pudding Cake, or these 33 Egg White Recipes!

Is homemade aioli safe to eat?

Yes, homemade aioli is safe to eat. Typically this concern is due to the raw eggs used in aioli recipes. While no food is 100% safe, the chance of an individual egg containing Salmonella is so low it’s nothing to worry about. So, as long as you follow the instructions step-by-step for this Garlic Aioli recipe and safely store it, it will not pose any danger.

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