Easy Basil Aioli Recipe – 4 Ingredients, 5 Minutes

This easy basil aioli is creamy, garlicky, and packed with fresh basil flavor. Made in 5 minutes with 4 main ingredients, it's perfect for sandwiches, fries, roasted vegetables, and potatoes.

This basil aioli is a creamy, garlicky, herb-packed sauce made with fresh basil, lemon juice, mayonnaise, and garlic. It comes together in 5 minutes with no raw egg, no whisking, and no traditional aioli emulsion required.

I use a food processor or blender for the smoothest texture, but you can also finely chop the basil and garlic by hand. It's bright, savory, and fresh, and like my Sriracha aioli, it's perfect as a sandwich spread, burger sauce, fry dip, or drizzle for roasted vegetables and potatoes.

Jump to:

• ⭐️ Why This Basil Aioli is the Best
• 💬 What is Aioli?
• 🌿 Ingredient Notes
• 🔪 How to Make Basil Aioli
• 👩🏼‍🍳 No Food Processor? Here's What To Do
• 👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips
• 🍟 How to Use Basil Aioli
• Storage & Make Ahead
• 💬 Frequently Asked Questions
• 🍽 More Fresh Basil Recipes
• Basil Aioli Recipe

⭐️ Why This Basil Aioli is the Best

• Ready in 5 minutes: Just blend everything together until smooth and creamy.
• Big flavor from simple ingredients: Fresh basil, garlic, lemon juice, and mayo create a bright, garlicky sauce.
• No raw egg or emulsion required: This is an easy mayo-based aioli, so there's no slow oil drizzle or special technique.
• Great way to use fresh basil: Perfect when you have extra basil from the garden, farmers market, or CSA box.
• Versatile condiment: Use it as a sandwich spread, burger sauce, fry dip, or drizzle for roasted vegetables and potatoes.

💬 What is Aioli?

Traditional aioli is a garlic-and-oil emulsion, but many modern aioli recipes use mayonnaise as a shortcut base. This basil aioli is the easy mayo-based version: creamy, garlicky, lemony, and packed with fresh basil - no raw egg or slow oil drizzle required.

🌿 Ingredient Notes

• Mayonnaise - Full-fat mayo gives the richest flavor and creamiest texture, but low-fat mayo will also work.
• Basil leaves - Use fresh basil leaves for the best flavor and color. I don't recommend dried basil here.
• Garlic - Fresh garlic gives the boldest flavor. Use 1 small clove for a milder aioli or 2-3 cloves for a stronger garlic kick.
• Fresh lemon juice - Brightens the sauce and balances the richness of the mayo. Fresh lemon juice tastes best, but bottled works in a pinch.
• Salt - Start with a small amount, then adjust to taste depending on how salty your mayonnaise is.

🔪 How to Make Basil Aioli

Into a food processor or blender, add mayonnaise, fresh basil, garlic, lemon juice, and salt.

Blend for a couple of minutes, occasionally scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula, until smooth and creamy.

*If no blender or food processor: Finely chop the basil & garlic, then add to a small bowl. Mix in the remaining ingredients and stir until well combined.

Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve.

👩🏼‍🍳 No Food Processor? Here's What To Do

Finely chop the basil & garlic, then add to a small bowl. Mix in the remaining ingredients and stir until well combined.

👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips

• Use fresh basil, not dried. Dried basil won't give the aioli the same bright flavor or green color.
• Start with less garlic if you're sensitive to raw garlic. Raw garlic gets stronger as the aioli sits, so one small clove is enough for a milder version.
• Blend until smooth and creamy. Stop once the basil is finely blended into the mayo.
• Let it chill for 30 minutes if you have time. This gives the garlic, basil, and lemon time to meld.
• Taste before serving. Add more lemon juice for brightness, more salt for balance, or more basil for a stronger herb flavor.
• Use a blender, food processor, or immersion blender for the smoothest texture. If chopping by hand, mince the basil and garlic as finely as possible.

🍟 How to Use Basil Aioli

Garlic basil mayo can be used in a variety of ways. Anytime you want to add bold savory flavor and creaminess, this easy condiment will do the trick. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:

• Spread it on your favorite sandwiches or burgers, like this chicken focaccia sandwich
• Use it as a dipping sauce for tater tots, zucchini and corn fritters, sweet potato fries, or onion rings
• Drizzle it over salmon, potatoes, or roasted vegetables, like roasted carrots and green beans

Storage & Make Ahead

• Although this basil dipping sauce is best served the same day, you can cover and store it in the fridge for up to 7 days. The garlic flavor will become stronger as it sits, so taste and adjust with a little extra lemon juice if needed. I don't recommend freezing because the mayonnaise can separate after thawing.
• Make sauce and store it in the refrigerator for up 24 hours ahead of time.

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

🍽 More Fresh Basil Recipes

Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.

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