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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Food & Drink

Aioli

Aioli is a cold garlic sauce or condiment from the northwestern Mediterranean, traditionally made from garlic and olive oil.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Aioli is a cold garlic sauce from the northwestern Mediterranean, traditionally made by emulsifying garlic and olive oil. In modern English cooking, it often refers to garlic-flavoured mayonnaise.

What it is

Aioli is a sauce or condiment whose core ingredients are garlic and olive oil. The name comes from Catalan and related Romance words meaning 'garlic and oil.' Traditional versions are a thick emulsion or paste, while modern recipes sometimes add egg yolk, lemon juice, or vinegar for stability.

Where it comes from

Aioli is strongly associated with Provence in southern France and Catalonia in Spain. Regional definitions vary: Catalan allioli is strictly garlic and oil, while Provençal aioli may include egg yolk. In English-language cooking, the term has broadened to include garlic mayonnaise.

How it's used

Aioli is served as a dip or accompaniment for bread, vegetables, fish, seafood, and meats. In Canada, it is common in restaurants and home cooking as a spread for sandwiches, a dip for fries, or a sauce for seafood, though it is not a distinctly Canadian food.

In short

  • Traditional aioli is garlic and olive oil only.
  • Modern English usage often treats it as garlic mayonnaise.
  • It originated in Provence and Catalonia.
  • Commonly served with bread, vegetables, and seafood.
Canadian angle

Aioli is widely used in Canadian restaurants and home cooking, especially as a dip, sandwich spread, or sauce for fries and seafood, but it is not a distinctly Canadian food.

Quick questions

What is aioli?
Aioli is a garlic-based sauce traditionally made from garlic and olive oil.
Is aioli the same as mayonnaise?
Not traditionally. Classic aioli is a garlic-and-oil emulsion, but modern versions often resemble garlic mayonnaise.
What does the word aioli mean?
It comes from words meaning 'garlic and oil' in Catalan and related Romance languages.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aioli
    Supports: General definition, regional naming, and northwestern Mediterranean origin
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/aioli
    Supports: Traditional ingredients, Provençal association, and historical/region-specific context
  3. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aioli
    Supports: Modern dictionary definition describing aioli as garlic-flavoured mayonnaise
  4. Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/aioli
    Supports: Traditional and modern usage, including garlic mayonnaise and regional variation