Basil aioli is one of those condiments that can completely transform a dish into something special. Plus, it’s easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.

What We Love About This Basil Aioli

Balanced flavors: The freshness of the basil helps to balance out the richness of the olive oil and garlic, making this aioli perfect for practically any dish.
Versatile option: This basil aioli can be served as a dip with vegetables or spread on sandwiches or burgers.
Convenient to prepare: This recipe includes an optional make ahead option so you can prepare your aioli in advance and store it until ready to serve.

Basil Aioli Ingredients

Fresh Basil – For this recipe, it’s best to use fresh basil since dried basil doesn’t have the texture and fresh flavor that you’d need for a no-heat recipe like aioli.
Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise serves as the creamy and rich base of the aioli. Feel free to use either homemade or bottled mayonnaise for this recipe.
Garlic – Some minced garlic cloves add plenty of bold flavor to complement the lemon and basil.
Lemon Juice – Basil aioli really benefits from even just a hint of lemon juice since it helps cut through the creamy richness of the mayonnaise.
Salt – Seasoning the aioli with some salt helps to bring all of the flavors together.

How to Make Basil Aioli

Combine the ingredients in your food processor. Pulse until smooth.
Add seasoning. Some salt and maybe even some pepper will do.
Serve immediately with a side of French fries or as a dip for vegetables and chips.

Storing and Reheating Instructions:

To reheat: Reheating basil aioli is not recommended. Simply leave it out at room temperature or serve chilled.
To store: Storing the basil aioli in a sealed container and keeping it refrigerated helps maintain its freshness, but mayonnaise-based sauces like aioli can undergo texture changes and separation when chilled.

Recipe Variations

Add roasted garlic: Roast the garlic in the oven first before blending it with the rest of the ingredients.
Add avocado: To add another creamy element to the basil aioli, mix in a tablespoon or two of ripe avocado.
Add truffle oil or truffle salt: Incorporate truffle oil or truffle salt for a luxurious and earthy flavor.
Make mayonnaise from scratch: If you want to go the extra mile, feel free to make your own homemade mayonnaise base.
Serve as a spread or as a dip: Basil aioli is a versatile condiment and can be used as a dip for vegetables, a spread for sandwiches, or as a sauce for grilled meats and seafood.