What Is Aioli Dressing?

Garlic is a key ingredient in aioli.

Aioli is a classic French dressing that can be served with a variety of foods. The dressing is flavored primarily with crushed garlic, which is appropriate since the name aioli translates as "garlic oil."

Ingredients

Classic aioli is made with just olive oil and garlic. However, a very common variant also uses egg yolks to give the dressing a thick, mayonnaise-like texture. Salt, pepper, chili peppers, hot sauce, mustard, lemon juice and various other seasonings can also be added to aioli.

How to Serve

Aioli can be served at room temperature alongside countless foods. Use it as a dip for vegetables, fries, crackers or bread or spread it on a sandwich. Fish, chicken, pasta, cold meats and hard-boiled eggs go well with aioli.

Homemade or Store-Bought

Unless you have made aioli before, it may be difficult to add egg yolks and whip the dressing so that it does not curdle. It can be dangerous to store garlic in oil at room temperature for a long period of time, and consuming it could cause illness. Store-bought aioli is much more likely to be fresh and stored properly. If making homemade aioli, be sure to follow a recipe and do not leave it out for a long period of time.

References

• Garlic Central: What Is Aioli?
• Cookthink: What Is Aioli?