I love a good aioli but for a long time thought it was something I couldn’t make at home because it sounds so fancy. But an aioli is really just a sauce made from olive oil and garlic, so it’s not as crazy as it sounds. If that still sounds intimidating, our Bacon Aioli recipe makes it even easier by using mayo to make an aioli cheat that still gives you all of the flavor!
Bacon Aioli
This rich, creamy sauce combines the classic taste of aioli with the savory goodness of bacon. If you’re a fan of bacon, you’ll love this bacon aioli sauce and it can be used so many different ways — as a dip, condiment, or sauce.
You can use it on everything from burgers and french fries to chicken and potatoes.
Bacon aioli offers a twist on the classic Mediterranean garlic mayonnaise sauce. By adding in crispy bacon bits, you get extra texture and flavor that I think bacon fans will enjoy! It’s extremely creamy with hints of bacon, garlic, and lemon. You can easily adjust the ingredients to get the flavor your taste buds love!
Why We Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to make!
- Doesn’t need many ingredients and you may have many of them on hand.
- It has bacon and everything bacon is good!
- Can be made in small or large quantities
- Low carb for those who are looking to add flavor without carbohydrates
Ingredients Needed
To make this recipe, you’ll need some familiar ingredients:
- Bacon slices
- Mayo
- Lemon juice
- Garlic clove (or minced garlic)
- Paprika
- Pepper
- Salt
You can find the full measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You can use bacon bits instead of cooking your own bacon, but the freshly cooked bacon adds great flavor. You can also use lemon juice you get at the store but I’d recommend getting a lemon and squeezing fresh lemon juice for best flavor. I typically buy minced garlic (and often have it in my kitchen already) but you can also but a clove of garlic and mince it fresh too.
Equipment
You’ll need a few things from your kitchen to make this recipe:
- Frying pan
- Paper towels
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Spatula
- Small food processor or immersion blender (optional)
You can use a silicone spatula or a whisk to mix the ingredients together. If you want a super smooth aioli, use a small food processor to mix the ingredients togoether before you fold in the bacon pieces.
Recipe Instructions
This sauce comes together in just a few minutes! It makes approximately 10 servings depending on how you use it.
- Cook the bacon strips on the stovetop until crispy. Cool slighty and then chop into small pieces. (You can also use premade bacon bits to save time, but you will get better flavor by cooking up your bacon fresh.) Don’t worry about getting some bacon grease in the the mixture. It adds extra flavor to the aioli.
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, paprika, salt, and papper. This is where you can use your food processor to get the aioli extra smooth but a spatula works fine.
- Gently fold the bacon into the mixture. Reserve a small amount of bacon pieces to sprinkle on the top, if desired.
- Garnish with bacon and serve.
Variations
This aioli recipe is easy to tweak for different flavors. Try some of these optional add-in ideas:
- Fresh herbs – Add an aromatic touch with some parsley, chives, or green onions.
- Dijon mustard – This will add more tang to the aioli.
- Spices – Try cayenne, red pepper flakes, or additional paprika for more of a kick.
- Vinegar – A dash of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar can add a bit of acidity.
- Bacon swap – You can make this recipe with turkey bacon.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve bacon aioli with so many different things! Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy it.
AS A DIP
Try dipping one of these in a bowl of aioli:
- Vegetable platter
- Chips
- Potato wedges
- French fries
- Chicken tenders
- Chicken wings
- Warm, crusty bread
- Zucchini fries
AS A SAUCE
This is a great sauce for all sorts of different foods:
- Sandwiches – especially anything turkey or chicken. Also try on BLT or BLAT!
- Hamburgers
- Wraps
- Roasted vegetables
- Grilled steak and chicken
AS A DRESSING
- Potato salad – Use this aioli in place of regular mayo to add amazing flavor to potato salad
- Cobb salad – This makes a delicious dressing for cobb salad because it pairs well with ingredients like avocado, hard boiled eggs, and blue cheese crumbles.
- Coleslaw – Stir it into coleslaw for a creamy dressing with a hint of bacony goodness that makes it great for BBQs.
Leftovers/Storage
Storing your bacon aioli in the fridge is essential for keeping it fresh. Once it is made, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Homemade bacon aioli generally lasts about 5 to 7 days in the fridge. It should not be left out for an extended period of time.
I do not recommend freezing leftover aioli. You will lose the texture. I recommend making a smaller batch by halving this recipe if the recipe makes too much for you.
FAQs
What is the difference between aioli and mayonnaise?
Although aioli and mayonnaise might look similar with their creamy textures, they have different tastes. Aioli is a mix of garlic and olive oil, while mayonnaise is made from egg yolks and canola oil. So this recipe is isn’t a true aioli but does offer a similar creamy texture and flavor.
Can aioli replace mayo?
Aioli can stand in for mayonnaise in certain recipes, bringing a stronger garlic flavor and a denser consistency. You may have to adjust the amount of garlic and possibly add more liquid to get the right balance. I tend to use aioli on its own instead of subsituting it for mayo.
What consistency should aioli be?
Aioli should be thick and creamy enough to coat a spoon. It needs to be denser than heavy cream, yet not as thick as mayonnaise. If it turns out too thick, you can thin it slightly with a splash of water or lemon juice (depending on your desired taste).
What kind of bacon should I use?
A hardwood smoked bacon is typically used in this recipe to get that good, smoky flavor. But you can try your favorite variety. You can use pork bacon or turkey bacon. You can even try a maple bacon to see how it changes the flavor of the aioli.
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook the bacon strips on the stovetop until crispy. Cool slighty and then chop into small pieces.
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, paprika, salt, and papper.
- Gently fold the bacon into the mixture. Reserve a small amount of bacon pieces to sprinkle on the top, if desired.
- Garnish with bacon and serve.
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