This quick and simple basil aioli is a pesto mayo dip and spread that’s perfect for burgers, fries, grilled vegetables and all of your dipping needs. The easiest pesto aioli with just four simple ingredients, this flavorful basil sauce is ready in less than five minutes.
It’s time to take burgers, grilled cheeses, fries and more up a notch with Pesto Aioli! The fresh vibrant flavor of pesto blended into the ultimate condiment!
I am a huge fan of aioli of all kinds, because they are so creamy and flavorful – and they are so tasty as dips! We love a fresh, tasty aioli for dipping our truffle fries and slathering on burgers.
Don’t miss my Truffle Aioli, Garlic Aioli, Sriracha Mayo, Avocado Mayo and Chipotle Aioli for more incredible flavor – once you’ve created your own aioli, it’s hard to go back to plain old mayo!
The bright green color and flavor of basil is the perfect summertime flavor addition to so many of our favorite dishes. I love pesto…it’s just the most fresh, vibrant flavor to add to so many things! I’ve shared pesto pasta, pesto chicken, pesto cheese dip, and even a pesto cheeseball!
Basil aioli is full of fresh and summery lemon, garlic and basil character and I know you’re going to enjoy it as much as we do! I love to dip my fries in this aioli – using it like a basil garlic sauce, and it’s equally good on top of my favorite sliders.
This is such a creamy and vibrant sauce. The basil leaves add a wonderful fresh taste to anything you want to add it to.
It’s great as a spread for a sandwich, and I love tossing fresh pasta in it for a delicious quick meal. However you use it, I promise that you’ll be making it again!
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Table of Contents
Pesto Aioli Ingredients
You just need four simple ingredients!
- Basil Leaves – Fresh and with the stems removed
- Mayonnaise – A high quality mayonnaise offers the best flavor, I love olive oil mayo. Or learn how to make homemade Mayonnaise right here – so easy!
- Garlic -You can use fresh or even jarred pre-minced garlic if you prefer.
- Lemon Juice – Use fresh if possible or substitute with 100% Lemon Juice purchased in the produce aisle of your grocer.
- Salt and Pepper – To taste.
Variations
- Experiment with Herbs – Try adding different herbs to this recipe like cilantro, mint or parsley.
- Add Nuts – Pine nuts or walnuts work really well
How to Make Basil Aioli
You just need a blender (a traditional blender is fine but an immersion blender works great as well!) and five minutes! See how in these step-by-step photos!
Add Ingredients to a food processor or blender.
Pulse or blend!
What’s The Best Mayonnaise For Pesto Mayo?
You can use your favorite brand of mayonnaise, I like to use one made with olive oil as I find it much more flavorful. This dip is all about bold and vibrant flavors, so be sure to use the best quality ingredients you can; super fresh basil leaves and fresh lemon juice will make all the difference.
If you’d like to whip up your own mayonnaise for your pesto mayo, it’s surprisingly simple to do so! You’ll simply add a few extra ingredients to this basil aioli recipe to create an entirely scratch aoili.
If making this pesto mayo from scratch you’ll add the following items to this recipe to use instead of the store bought mayo listed.
How to Make Mayo
You can get my printable mayonnaise recipe with video here.
- 2 egg yolks
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup virgin olive oil
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- Pulse to combine along with the ingredients listed in the printable recipe below.
- Turn processor on and slowly pour in olive oil mixed with the vegetable oil. Process until aioli forms, about a minute. Turn processor off, scrap sides, process again until combined.
How to Store
- Room Temperature – Aioli can sit out on the counter for no longer than two hours while serving.
- Refrigerate – Store in an airtight container or covered for up to one week refrigerated.
What to Serve With Pesto Aioli
This aioli is perfect on so many things! I love to include it as part of my Burger Bar alongside all of the other condiments and burger toppings. It’s great for dipping, spreading and drizzling – try it with these recipes:
- Juicy Sliders
- Gourmet Fries
- Healthy Sweet Potato Fries
- Italian Vegetables
- Add it to a Gourmet Grilled Cheese – YUM.
- Use this creamy basil aoili on top of your oven baked burgers
- Add it on top of all kinds of fish
- Drizzle onto asparagus
- Blended into mashed potatoes
- In scalloped potatoes
- To dip or drizzle on Baked Artichoke
- To dip crab cakes
Tips
- Marinate – Make the pesto dip a day in advance and keep covered in the fridge.
- Fresh – Because this is such a simple recipe with minimal ingredients, the quality of your ingredients will shine! Use fresh garlic and bright leafy basil for the best outcome.
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Pesto Aioli Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves stems removed
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic or 3 cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- pinch salt
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor add basil, mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice and salt.
- Pulse for 3 minutes, occasionally scraping the sides down, until smooth.
- Transfer to an air tight container or covered bowl and refrigerate to marinate until ready to enjoy.½
Video
Notes
Substitutions / Ingredient Notes
- Mayonnaise – Olive oil mayonnaise is best, but you can use your favorite mayonnaise or make your own (see below). Avoid Miracle Whip.
- Garlic – Use fresh or pre-minced garlic in a jar.
- Lemon Juice – Use fresh if possible or substitute with 100% Lemon Juice purchased in the produce aisle of your grocer.
Variations
- Experiment with Herbs – Try adding different herbs to this recipe like cilantro, mint or parsley.
- Add Nuts – Pine nuts or walnuts work really well
How to Make Mayonnaise
- 2 egg yolks
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup virgin olive oil
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- Pulse to combine along with the ingredients listed in the printable recipe below.
- Turn processor on and slowly pour in olive oil mixed with the vegetable oil. Process until aioli forms, about a minute. Turn processor off, scrap sides, process again until combined.
Tips
- Marinate – Make the pesto dip a day in advance and keep covered in the fridge.
To Store
- Refrigerate – Store in an airtight container or covered for up to 1 week refrigerated.
Ok to start off, I’m a condiment FREAK! I think I have more sauces and condiments in my fridge than I have food. And I have to say that, this is by far one of my absolute favorites!!! Thank you for sharing
Oh my gosh, you are so sweet! Glad you enjoyed it!
So easy and so yummy!
Thanks, Lois!
Yum! The garlic is somewhat overpowering, but since I like garlic, I’m good with it. 🙂 Looking forward to putting it on our BLTs later!
This recipe is crazy easy and comes together so quickly.
Thanks for a great recipe!
You can always cut back on it as well. Glad you enjoyed it! Now I’m craving a BLT!
This is by far the best & easiest pesto aioli sauce EVER! I added roasted pine nuts and some fresh parm too. I will never go a day without this new staple in my fridge! Thank you 🙂
Very good recipe!
Thank you, Angela! Glad you loved it!
This was so easy to make! Was a delicious addition to our burgers!
We made this on the side of fries and it was so good! The flavor is amazing!
This dip is so delicious! My whole family loved it!
My whole family really loved it!
My two favorites in one recipe! I love this!