Pesto Aioli
Pesto aioli is a refreshing and tangy dip with a flavor-profile of basil, pine nuts and garlic; it’s extremely convenient as it’s so versatile - try it on a delicious sandwich or for the base of a pasta sauce!
We tend to make our own pesto because it’s so easy to make at home (especially if you’re using a food processor). Homemade pesto is so much more flavorful, fresh and rich than store-bought pesto so we definitely recommend trying this out. If you don’t have so much time on your hands, you can always use store-bought pesto for this recipe.
Variations
Nut-Free: Replace pine nuts with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin for a nut-free version. Vegan/Dairy-Free: Use vegan mayonnaise and omit Parmesan cheese or use a vegan alternative.
Aioli everything
If you’re like us and find yourself putting aioli (in all its glorious variations) on everything, here are some more recipes that’ll scratch the aioli itch:
In this recipe, we’re making a quicker version of aioli using mayonnaise, but you can also make aioli from scratch. Check out this recipe if you’d like to make it from scratch.
To save time when making recipes that use garlic, we recommend using garlic paste. One teaspoon of garlic paste is the equivalent of one clove of garlic.
What is pesto aioli?
- Aioli Base: Traditional aioli is a garlic-flavored emulsion made from garlic, egg yolks, and olive oil; it's similar to mayonnaise but with a stronger garlic presence.
- Pesto Blend: Pesto, a sauce originating from Italy, typically consists of basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, all blended into a smooth paste.
Pesto aioli is the blend of these two tasty sauces to make something wholly unique. The combination of fresh basil and garlic in the pesto gives this sauce a vibrant, aromatic quality; the aioli base contributes a creamy texture and richness that balances the freshness of the pesto.
How can I store pesto aioli?
If you’re storing your aioli and pesto separately, then aioli stores for approximately 2-3 days in the fridge in an airtight container and pesto stores for 5 days in the fridge in an airtight container. So, we suggest storing them separately. However, you can store pesto aioli for 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge at most.
How can I use pesto aioli?
Pesto aioli is so versatile, here are a few ideas of what you can use it for:
- Dipping Sauce: Excellent with vegetables, chips, or (hot) bread.
- Spread: Ideal for sandwiches, burgers, or wraps.
- Dressing: Can be used to add flavor to salads or pasta dishes.
- Garnish: A dollop can enhance grilled meats, fish, or vegetables.
Pesto Aioli
Pesto aioli is a refreshing and tangy dip with a flavor-profile of basil, pine nuts and garlic; it's extremely convenient as it's so versatile - try it on a delicious sandwich or for the base of a pasta sauce!
Cuisine
Mediterranean
Serves
8
Prep
10 mins
Cook
0 mins
Total
10 mins
Calories
223 kcal
Ingredients
1 cup mayonnaise
4 teaspoons lemon juice
6 cloves minced garlic
½ teaspoon dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic
2 ounces basil
1.7 ounces parmesan
2 ounces pine nuts
150 ml olive oil
Instructions
Add all the ingredients for the pesto in a food processor or blender and blend until well-combined.
Add all the ingredients for the aioli to a bowl and mix thoroughly.
Mix pesto and aioli together in a 1:1 ratio and serve (we recommend serving with hot bread!)
Nutrition
- Calories 223 kcal |
- Carbohydrate Content 1.8 g |
- Cholesterol Content 4.3 mg |
- Fat Content 23.7 g |
- Fiber Content 0.8 g |
- Protein Content 3.2 g |
- Serving Size 1 portion |
- Sodium Content 107.4 mg |
- Sugar Content 0.1 g |