Real Aioli

4.7
(21)

Making aioli is easy, and is arguably the greatest cold sauce of all time. It's nothing more than olive oil emulsified into freshly crushed garlic, seasoned simply with salt and lemon. This is pure, fiery, intense garlic flavor like you may have never tasted.

3
3
3
Prep Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
15 mins
Servings:
6
Yield:
2/3 cup
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 4 large cloves fresh garlic, peeled and sliced

  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt, or other course-grain salt

  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice, or more to taste

  • ½ cup light, extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon water to adjust texture, or more as needed

Directions

  1. Place garlic slices in a mortar with kosher salt. Mash with the pestle into a fine paste, 4 or 5 minutes. Mix in lemon juice.

  2. Add a teaspoon of olive oil; stir and mash until oil is incorporated. Add another teaspoon and mix in thoroughly. Continue incorporating olive oil, teaspoon by teaspoon, mashing and stirring until aioli thickens up. If the aioli gets thicker than you like, add a few drops of water.

    close up view of Real Aioli in a glass bowl on a wooden cutting board, next to a wooden spoon
    Chef John

Chef's Notes

Aioli is best eaten fresh, but it should be okay for about 24 hours.

Since this sauce has such a sharp, hot flavor from the garlic, you don't want to use a strongly flavored olive oil. We don't want anything too peppery and bitter, which will clash with the garlic. Use something on the mild side, or cut it with a neutral vegetable oil.

22 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

173 Calories
19g Fat
1g Carbs
0g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 173
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 19g 24%
Saturated Fat 3g 13%
Sodium 161mg 7%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 0g 0%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 6mg 0%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 15mg 0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.