Healthy Vegan Garlic Aioli Recipe

Name: Healthy Vegan Garlic Aioli Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 cup cashews (, see note); 3/4 cup water; 2 tablespoons white vinegar; 2 teaspoons lemon juice; 3/4 teaspoons sea salt; 6 cloves garlic (, adjust for flavor preference)

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This vegan garlic aioli is super easy to make, has only whole food ingredients and uses no oil, making it the perfect healthy condiment!

Glass jar filled with a creamy sauce and a wooden spoon

This post was originally published on May 8, 2014.

Aioli is the perfect addition to just about anything and this simple flavor is so versatile you'll be using it over and over!

Condiments add the best flavors to our favorite foods, but store bought sauces and spreads aren't always the healthiest. Making your own is an excellent way to ensure you're eating only healthy, whole foods.

Homemade condiments might seem intimidating and time consuming, but it's honestly so easy. If this busy mom of three maniacs can do it, so can you!

Ingredients

Simply a handful of whole food items is all you need to make this amazing aioli:

Cashews
White Vinegar
Lemon Juice
Garlic
Salt

Bowls with ingredients needed to make a vegan garlic aioli

How To Make Vegan Aioli

This recipe for garlic aioli is so incredibly easy to make, you'll never go back to store bought!

Blend everything.
Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

As delicious as this vegan garlic aioli would be to eat straight off the spoon, I definitely recommend enjoying it with other food! Use it as a dip or spread along with any of these plant based recipes:

Preparation tips

Add more or less garlic depending on how much garlic flavor you want.
You can also get a flavor boost by adding lemon zest, herbs, or even truffles!
If you are nut free, you can try using silken tofu but it won't be as creamy and the flavor may need to be adjusted with the other ingredients. You also should omit the water. Start with less vinegar and lemon and add until you get the flavor you like.
If you don’t have a high speed blender, soak the cashews overnight to soften them. You can also boil them for 20-25 minutes if you forget. Another method is using a coffee or spice grinder to grind them dry (not soaking) into a very fine powder.

Storage tips

Because this aioli doesn't have any egg, it will keep up to ten days in your refrigerator! Just store in an airtight container until you're ready to use it.
You can freeze extra by putting it in a freezer safe container and laying a piece of plastic wrap right over the top to help avoid ice crystals. When you are ready to use it, allow it to defrost slowly on the counter, then blitz in a blender to get back the smoother texture. It may not be as smooth as the original but the flavor is still good.

Common Questions

What is vegan aioli made of?

Vegan aioli gets its texture from cashews, and flavor from white vinegar, lemon juice, garlic & salt. No eggs, no oil!

Is aioli vegetarian?

Yes it is, but classic aioli is not vegan as it traditionally contains eggs. This recipe avoids eggs though, making it the perfect vegan condiment!

Is Aioli just mayonnaise?

Long story short- traditionally, no. Aioli began as garlic emulsified in olive oil, and has progressed to include more ingredients that are similar to mayo but not exactly the same. But now you have people flavoring mayo and calling it aioli, so the words have essentially become synonymous.

How do you use aioli?

How do you NOT use aioli? It's so good as a spread on almost any sandwich, burger, or wrap, fabulous as a dip for fries or other tasty snacks, and is even delicious drizzled over roasted veggies!

How do you store aioli?

Store vegan aioli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. You can also freeze it for up to three months!

More Sauce Recipes

Flavor lovers rejoice! I have you covered with even more condiments to use with all your favorite foods! All of these recipes use simple whole food ingredients, not only making them vegan, but a healthier alternative to store bought: