You've probably seen aioli on a menu and wondered what exactly that is. When it arrives at your table, you think "It's just mayonnaise!" and while they're quite similar, there are many noticeable differences between aioli and traditional mayonnaise. Read on to learn what exactly aioli is, how it differs from mayonnaise, and even how to make aioli at home!
Aioli is a Mediterranean sauce that's traditionally made with thoroughly crushed garlic that is then emulsified with olive oil and salt, giving it a very strong, garlic flavor. Today, aioli is generally made with eggs and lemon juice as well, which makes it easier to emulsify and gives it the texture of mayonnaise. This makes aioli a great choice as a dip for vegetables, French fries or as a spread for sandwiches.
On the surface, aioli and mayonnaise can look identical, but there are several noticeable differences between the two, such as:
Check out how to make a simple yet delicious aioli and what you can do with this sauce:
Aioli can take the place of regular mayonnaise in many cases -- try spreading it on your favorite slice of bread or as a dip paired with sweet potato wedges. Using garlic aioli as the base for chicken salad will yield a very flavorful dish, with the garlic complementing the pimentos and almonds well. How to use your aioli sauce will depend on how your aioli tastes, and there are many variations that pair well with different dishes.