19 Aïoli Recipes with Ramps, Chiles, Mango, and More

Classic French aïoli is "unctuous, thick, and velvety smooth — and adds immense flavor to anything you dunk in it."

Aioli Recipe
Photo:

Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Debbie Wee

At its purest, aïoli is a creamy, classic emulsion of garlic and olive oil from the northwest Mediterranean that's used as a dressing, sauce, and dip. But even in its simplest form, aïoli lends sophistication and deep flavor to whatever it's served with — our traditional French version made with a mortar and pestle is truly sensational. If you're looking for ease, we also have plenty of recipes that use prepared mayonnaise as the base, such as the lemony, herb-packed aïoli we like to serve with grilled artichokes. Garlic may be a constant, but the sky's the limit on what other flavorings can be added; try aïoli with Creole seasoning, saffron, sun-dried tomatoes, and more. Peruse our collection of favorite aïoli recipes for all your dipping and spreading needs.

01 of 19

Mortar and Pestle Garlic Aïoli

Mortar and Pestle Garlic Aioli
Jen Causey

"The word aïoli means 'garlic oil,' and it’s a noun for both the mayonnaise-like sauce and the exuberant meal, or Le Grand Aïoli, where the sauce is star," says food writer Andrea Slonecker. "Classic aïoli contains no lemon juice or acid of any kind; the bite of garlic provides the sole counterpoint to the richness of the olive oil and egg yolks. The finished sauce is unctuous, thick, and velvety smooth — and adds immense flavor to anything you dunk in it."

02 of 19

Sun-Dried Tomato Aïoli

Sun-Dried Tomato Aioli

Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling Debbie Wee

Make this rich, tangy sauce to spread on sandwiches or use as a dip for grilled vegetables. While traditional aïoli is made from scratch, this easy recipe calls for blending together sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a bit of cayenne pepper with prepared mayonnaise.

03 of 19

Aïoli

Aioli Recipe

Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Debbie Wee

This garlicky sauce pairs with everything from fries to paella. While some more traditional Spanish cooks maintain that aïoli should be made with nothing more than garlic, lemon juice, and oil, this recipe, from Boston chef Gordon Hamersley, uses egg yolks to help hold the emulsion.

04 of 19

Mango-Habanero Aïoli

Mango Habanero Aioli Recipe
Photo by Greg DuPree / Prop Styling by Christine Keely / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer

Habanero chiles add their signature floral heat to this sweet and tangy mango aïoli, which isn’t alarmingly hot thanks to plenty of citrus and and a touch of sugar.

05 of 19

Mussels with Saffron Aioli, Yellow Tomatoes, and Roasted Fingerlings

Mussels with Saffron Aioli, Yellow Tomatoes, and Roasted Fingerlings

Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Jillian Knox

A floral saffron aioli makes this French-inspired mussels and fingerling potatoes recipe an impressive and vibrant meal.

06 of 19

Ramp Aïoli

Ramp Aioli
Photo by Huge Galdones / Food Styling by Christina Zerkis

Garlicky ramps are the perfect base for this pungent, herby aïoli — you just need the leaves for this recipe. Make a batch to use as a dip for vegetables, potato chips, or French fries; mix into chicken salad; smear onto a sandwich; or whip into a salad dressing.

07 of 19

Grilled Mahi-Mahi with Lemongrass-Lime Aïoli

Grilled Mahi Mahi with Lemongrass Lime Aioli
Photo by Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

Sweet, mild grilled mahi-mahi harmonizes with an aïoli featuring lemongrass and lime. The creamy aïoli comes together in seconds using an immersion blender, resulting in a silky texture that's less likely to break and adding richness and zest to a classic summer meal.

08 of 19

Salmon Croquettes with Creole Aïoli

Creole Salmon Croquettes
Photo by Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Melissa Gray / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

A homemade Creole spice blend adds a piquant kick to these salmon croquettes, which are crispy on the outside and tender and flaky on the inside. The Creole aïoli — starring finely chopped cornichons and their brine, Creole mustard, and a hint of sugar — is an irresistible combination of creamy, crunchy, and salty, and an ideal match for the croquettes.

09 of 19

Grilled Artichokes with Herby Lemon Aïoli

Grilled Artichokes Recipe | FWCooks
Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food styling by Rishon Hanners / Prop styling by Audrey Davis

"Artichokes are at their best — and easiest to prepare — when cooked quickly over a hot fire, particularly when served with luscious lemon aïoli made with the smoky juices and pulp of grilled lemons," says cookbook author Paula Disbrowe. "You can serve the creamy dressing on the side for dipping, but I prefer to toss it with the artichokes so it seeps into every crack and crevice."

10 of 19

Fritto Misto with Calabrian Chile Aïoli

Fritto Misto with Calabrian Chile Aioli
Jose Mandojana / Food Styling by Robyn Valarik / Prop Styling by Christine Wolheim

Here, shrimp, calamari, olives, and fennel are dredged in a Pernod-spiked batter and fried to crispy perfection. The fritti are irresistible served alongside an aïoli spiked with Calabrian chiles, sherry vinegar, tomato paste, and whole-grain mustard.

11 of 19

Charred Corn and Tomato Tartines with Tofu Aïoli

Charred Corn and Tomato Tartine with Tofu Aioli

Greg Dupree / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Christine Keely

Working off of an idea from 2022 F&W Best New Chef Rob Rubba, the F&W Test Kitchen created an eggless, tofu-based aïoli that has the assertive garlic flavor and creamy texture you expect from the condiment. Enhanced by smoked paprika, it pairs exceptionally with grilled vegetables. Here, it’s generously slathered on rustic sourdough slices piled high with grilled corn, peppers, and tomatoes. 

12 of 19

Chilled Lobster Tails with Green Goddess Aïoli

Chilled Lobster Tails with Green Goddess Aioli

Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Victoria Granof / Prop Styling by Karin Olsen

Steamed lobster tails are served with a mayonnaise-based aïoli packed with parsley, basil, and scallion; finely chopped anchovies add a savory depth to the bright and herby dipping sauce for this chilled appetizer.

13 of 19

Steak Tartare with Smoked Oyster Aïoli

Steak Tartare
Greg DuPree

For her steak tartare recipe, 2018 F&W Best New Chef Kate Williams uses tender beef scraps rescued from butchering rib eyes. The smoked oyster aïoli adds muscle and brightness, and it’s easy to make (it takes about a minute in a blender).

14 of 19

Beer-Battered Fish with Malt Vinegar Aïoli

Beer-Battered Fish with Malt Vinegar Aioli
Greg DuPree

Chef Jeremy Sewall uses line-caught pollock for fish and chips at Row 34 in Boston because it is a firm fish that remains flaky when cooked. He serves the pollock alongside a fresh aïoli made with malt vinegar and Dijon mustard, an ideal dipping partner.

15 of 19

Le Grand (Saffron) Aïoli

Le Grand (Saffron) Aioli
Con Poulos

Garlicky aïoli infused with saffron provides a pop of flavor and color as a delicious dip for crisp-tender poached veggies and succulent bites of shrimp. Make everything a day ahead and serve this dish as a beautiful weekend brunch.

16 of 19

Seared Cod with Spicy Mussel Aïoli

Seared Cod with Spicy Mussel Aioli.
© Tina Rupp

From chef Eric Ripert of Manhattan's Le Bernardin comes this simple, sophisticated dish that relies on store-bought mayonnaise to enrich the sublime garlicky mussel sauce.

17 of 19

Orange Aïoli

Chickpea and Swiss Chard Fideos with Orange Aioli
© Lauren Volo

Flavored with orange zest, Dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper, this simple mayonnaise-based aïoli is wonderful paired with Chickpea and Swiss Chard Fideos.

18 of 19

Mixed Bean Crudités with Olive-Anchovy Aïoli

Mixed-Bean Crudités with Olive-Anchovy Aioli. Photo © Con Poulos
© Con Poulos

Fresh beans make a beautiful crudité platter. Aïoli prepared with green olives, oil-packed anchovies, and bright lemon is a natural accompaniment.

19 of 19

Lemon-Caper Aïoli

Lemon-Caper Aioli
© John Kernick

Capers, tarragon, and lemon juice add fantastic flavor to mayonnaise in this quick take on a classic French aïoli.

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