Chipotle Aioli Recipe – A Simple Guide to True And Mayo-Based Aioli
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From appetizers to entrees, Chipotle aioli is a delicious condiment that can be used as a spread or a dipping sauce. But what is it used for most often? Dipping fries!
This recipe for homemade chipotle aioli has a creamy texture and spicy, smokey flavor. It’s easy and quick to make, goes great with french fries, chicken, and burgers, and is sure to become a family favorite for adding flavor and zest to many a meal.

Add a kick to your sandwich or burger with this unique aioli recipe. The recipe calls for chipotle peppers, but any dried chili pepper will work.
What Is Aioli?
True aioli is emulsified olive oil and garlic with some lemon and salt added for flavor. But in these modern times, convenience has won out for many people, and aioli has become garlic mayonnaise blended with a variety of ingredients to create an eye-popping, tastebud-pleasing sauce. But that’s not how this fantastic condiment got its start.
Origins Of Aioli
Originally, this French and Spanish sauce started out being made by hand without any egg at all, unlike mayo, which is egg-based. It was simply olive oil and garlic blended together so furiously that it created a similar, almost mayo-like substance (and a sore arm), though it wasn’t quite as thick. It was simply a hand-beaten emulsion.
How To Pronounce Chipotle Aioli
It can be a mild tongue twister, but it’s pretty simple to say.
[Chip] [Oat] [Lay] – [Ay] [O] [Lee]
Is Aioli Just Mayonnaise?
No, but it does come close. Today, a true aioli is usually enjoyed by chefs, foodies, and purists. But this condiment has undergone quite a revolution of convenience. Pick up any jar of mayo, whisk in a heavy helping of garlic, and then add any ingredients you want to flavor it with. It may not be true, aioli, but it gets the job done.
Below, I’ll give you both versions of this recipe. A mayo-based aioli and a true aioli that is vegan. Thankfully, these days, both are quick to make and save you the sore bicep muscle.
Can You Substitute Mayo For Aioli?
Foodies would scream a loud, resounding no. But your average, everyday person would respond with a yes. Flavor and texture-wise, it will substitute just fine. Just know that it’s not a true aioli. It does come pretty close, though!
Top 3 Of The Best Dippers For Chipotle Aioli
- Fries
- Artichokes
- Grilled veggies

Other Types Of Aioli
A few types of Aioli flavor possibilities are:
- Sriracha Aioli
- Sweet Bell Pepper Aioli
- Lemon Aioli
- Pesto Aioli
- Truffle Aioli
- Horseradish Aioli
- Saffron Aioli
- Mustard Aioli
- Wasabi Aioli
Is Mayo Or Aioli Healthier?
If we are comparing homemade mayo and homemade aioli, most folks could say that aioli is healthier because it avoids the saturated fats in egg yolks, and uses unheated, heart-healthy olive oil. However, in our modern world, they work out to be the same if you use store-bought mayo. So it all depends on what you consider to be acceptable aioli and what ingredients you use.
How To Use Aioli
Wondering what you can put Aioli sauce on or how best to use it? Here are a few ideas:
- Burgers
- Sandwiches
- Wraps
- Fries & potato wedges
- Artichokes (as a dip for the leaves)
- Prepared veggies (grilled is best!)
- Seafood sauce
- In egg salad or deviled eggs
- Fish tacos

What Is This Chipotle Aioli Made Of?
This recipe offers you two versions. A vegan version that is an actual aioli, and a mayo-based version.
Though, if you are vegan and want to use mayo, all you have to do is use vegan mayo. Easy!
Vegan Chipotle Aioli
- 1 medium garlic clove – Or 1 tsp. garlic granules or garlic powder.
- ¼ cup non-dairy milk – unsweetened soy or oat milk gives the best flavor.
- 2 tbsp. ground chipotle – or more to taste.
- ½ cup oil – Any vegetable oil you are comfortable using will work, but olive oil is best.
- 1 tbsp. fresh lime juice – In a pinch, lemon juice will work too.
- 1 tsp. salt – I used pink Himalayan salt, but use whatever you normally use.
- ½ tsp. ground black pepper – Ground white pepper can work too.
Mayo-Based Chipotle Aioli
- 1 tbsp. garlic granules – Garlic powder is fine too.
- ½ cup mayo – homemade or store-bought.
- 2 tbsp. ground chipotle – Or more to taste.
- 1 tbsp. fresh lime juice – In a pinch, lemon juice will work too.
- ½ tsp. salt – I used pink Himalayan salt, but use whatever you normally use.
- ½ tsp. ground black pepper – Ground white pepper can work too.
How To Make Chipotle Aioli From Scratch (Or Not)
Vegan Chipotle Aioli Instructions

Pour the oil into a tall, narrow tumbler or jar, such as a canning jar. To this add the milk, lime juice, salt and pepper, and garlic clove.

With a hand blender, blend everything until the consistency thickens. Make sure your container is narrow enough for the contents to completely submerge the immersion blender.

Add the chipotle and blend it again until you reach a creamy texture and the chipotle is completely incorporated into the sauce.

Once ready, transfer the Chipotle aioli to a bowl and serve, or put it in an airtight container in the fridge for storage.
Mayo-Based Chipotle Aioli Instructions

Simply whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl and adjust the seasonings to taste.
How To Store Aioli
Store your Chipotle Aioli in the fridge in an airtight container with a lid or covered with plastic wrap for a maximum of 4 -5 days.
The vegan version can be frozen, but the regular version cannot. If you do freeze the vegan version, it must thaw naturally in the fridge or on your countertop. Do not microwave.
How Long Does Chipotle Aioli Last?
If you make true aioli (vegan version), it will last about 4-6 days.
If you use store-bought mayo, it will last about 10 days.
If you use homemade mayo, it will last about 3-4 days.
Healthy Recipes For Using Chipotle Aioli
These recipes do not call for aioli, but you could use aioli in them quite easily.
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Turkey Burgers
- Chickpea Burgers
- Potato Wedges
- Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
- Hummus Wraps
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Chipotle Aioli Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- Immersion blender (for vegan version)
Ingredients
Vegan Chipotle Aioli
- 1 medium garlic clove
- ¼ cup non-dairy milk (soy or oat milk give the best flavor)
- 2 tbsp. ground chipotle (or more to taste)
- ½ cup oil
- 1 tbsp. lime juice
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. ground black pepper
Mayo-Based Chipotle Aioli
- 1 tbsp. garlic powder
- ½ cup mayo (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tbsp. ground chipotle
- 1 tbsp. lime juice
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. ground black pepper
Instructions
Vegan Chipotle Aioli Instrctions
- Pour the oil into a tall, narrow tumbler or jar, such as a canning har. To this add the milk, lime juice, salt and pepper, and garlic clove.
- With a hand blender, blend everything until the consistency thickens. Make sure your container is narrow enough for the contents to completely submerge the immersion blender.
- Add the chipotle and blend it again until you reach a creamy texture and the chipotle is completely incorporated into the sauce.
- Once ready, transfer the Chipotle aioli to a bowl and serve, or put it in an airtight container in the fridge for storage.
Mayo-Based Chipotle Aioli Instructions
- Simply whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl and adjust seasonings to taste.