This Vegan Garlic Aioli is guaranteed to be your new favorite garlicky spread and dipping sauce. It's just as creamy and delicious as traditional aioli, but is egg and dairy free! All you need is 4 ingredients and a couple of minutes to whip it up.
You guys know I'm all about homemade sauces. They're so easy to make with a few simple ingredients and always cheaper than the store-bought alternatives. Plus, they typically make a great dip, too!
If you're on a journey to swap out your store-bought dressings and sauces with fresher ingredients, make sure to check out my Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette and 5 Minute Tahini Caesar Dressing next.
You'll also love this Vegan Honey Mustard and Vegan Buffalo Sauce for more of your dipping needs (hello french fries!).
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's quick and easy. No need to make another trip to the grocery store to buy store-bought garlic mayonnaise. Making a homemade aioli recipe at home is incredibly easy and the best way to boost the flavor of your favorite plant-based meals like veggie burgers, chickpea sandwiches, sweet potato fries, grain bowls, roasted potatoes and more.
- No appliances needed. Many vegan aioli recipes require appliances like an immersion blender, food processor, or high-speed blender. All you need for this recipe is a few simple ingredients, a mixing bowl and a whisk or spoon to combine!
- Perfect for meal prep. This easy vegan aioli recipe lasts for several days and is the perfect flavorful sauce to whip up on Sunday nights and dollop on everything throughout the week.
- Nut free. Cashews are often relied on as the magic ingredient in creamy dips and sauces, but these aioli ingredients are 100% nut free and allergen friendly.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Vegan mayonnaise - Any store-bought vegan mayonnaise will work. My personal favorite brand to use is Chosen Foods. A lot of people love it because it's made primarily with avocado oil, chickpea water, and distilled vinegar and is a bit healthier than some of the other mayonnaise brands available. If you're looking for an oil-free aioli, I'd recommend making your own Oil-Free Vegan Mayonnaise to use.
- Garlic - For the best garlic aioli sauce, I recommend using at least 3-4 cloves of fresh garlic or roasted garlic. I love the flavor of garlic and prefer to chop it as opposed to mince it for a bite of garlic throughout. With that being said, if you are sensitive to garlic or prefer a more mild garlic flavor, feel free to mince the garlic with a garlic press or reduce the garlic to 1-2 cloves.
- Lemon - The key to the best flavor is to use both lemon juice and lemon zest. You can't buy this kind of deliciousness at the store!
Step by Step Instructions
Making your own vegan aioli is incredibly easy there's just 3 simple steps!
- Place ingredients in a medium sized bowl or jar.
- Whisk together until smooth.
- Season with a pinch of salt, black pepper, and more lemon zest to taste.
Storing Instructions
This homemade vegan aioli recipe will keep best in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 days. Freezing is not recommended - it's so easy to whip up fresh, it's worth it to do so. Plus, I highly doubt you'll have leftovers to freeze anyway!
Time Saving Hacks
Just like my many salad dressings and easy sauces, this spread can be prepped at the start of the week and stored in the fridge for several days before using. It's the perfect spread to add to your weekly meal prep because it's a versatile ingredient that can be added to just about anything savory!
FAQs
Does vegan aioli have egg?
No, vegan aioli does not contain any egg yolks or egg whites. Vegan foods are made without animal products and are therefore always free of eggs. Great for family members or friends with egg allergies or vegan diets.
Why is mayonnaise not vegan?
Traditional mayonnaise is made with eggs, and as mentioned above, eggs are not vegan. Thankfully there are tons of vegan mayonnaise options available in stores today, so swapping your regular mayo for a vegan friendly one is super easy.
What can I substitute for mayo in aioli?
I haven't tested a version of this vegan aioli without vegan mayonnaise, but if you'd like, I'd recommend making your own homemade vegan mayonnaise using ingredients like silken tofu or raw cashews. You may also be able to substitute a vegan sour cream, but I haven't tried it.
Tips for Success
- Use fresh minced garlic over jarred. While jarred minced garlic is incredibly convenient, fresh garlic is far superior in flavor and will give your garlic aioli a much better, authentic garlicky taste.
- Don't skimp on the lemon zest. Fresh lemon juice adds brightness, but the lemon zest is what takes this garlic aioli recipe to the next level.
More Easy Vegan Sauces and Spreads To Try
5 Minute Vegan Garlic Aioli
Ingredients
- ¾ cup vegan mayo I use Chosen
- 3-4 garlic minced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice fresh
- ½ tbsp lemon zest heaping
- salt + pepper for taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a medium sized mixing bowl.
- Whisk together the ingredients until they are fully mixed together.
- Add salt + pepper for your taste. Top with more lemon zest.
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