Creamy, tangy, and infused with sweet chili heat, this 5-minute sweet chili aioli is your new go-to for dipping, drizzling, and spreading. Just stir together mayo, sweet chili sauce, garlic, and lemon, then watch it elevate everything from fries to fish tacos to burgers. Simple ingredients, seriously big flavor.
Table of Contents
This irresistible sauce brings together the creamy richness of mayonnaise, the sweet-and-spicy warmth of sweet chili sauce, a burst of fresh lemon, and the bold bite of garlic. But don’t mistake it for just another condiment; it’s a full-on flavor accelerator!
Drizzle it over crispy pasta chips, slather it on gourmet burgers, serve it alongside grilled seafood, or even swirl it into cheesy pasta bakes for an unexpected kick. Wherever it lands, this 5-minute sauce turns ordinary dishes into something truly satisfying.
Ingredient notes
- Mayonnaise – This provides the rich and creamy base for the sauce. Feel free to use a brand of mayonnaise that you love the most.
- Sweet chili sauce – Use your favorite brand of store-bought sweet chili sauce.
- Garlic – Fresh cloves peeled and blended right in for punchy flavor.
- Lemon juice – The acidity in freshly squeezed lemon juice helps balance the richness of the mayo. You could also add some lemon zest to the mix for a tangy, citrusy infusion. Lime juice could be used instead.
- Kosher salt – To taste.
How to make it
- Combine and stir: Combine all the ingredients for this sweet chili sauce in a small bowl.
- Season and adjust: Taste the aioli and season further with additional salt or lemon juice, as needed.
- Serve or store: Use this sweet chili sauce right away, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Give it a quick stir before serving if it separates slightly.
Ways to use sweet chili sauce
Take your meals and snacks to the next level with this versatile sweet chili sauce. Whether layered into baked pasta for a subtle kick or served as a bold dipping sauce, it delivers the perfect balance of sweet heat in every bite, effortlessly turning everyday dishes into something memorable.
- Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli – Serve this sweet chili aioli alongside these toasted ravioli or even crispy pasta chips as a delicious dipping sauce.
- Honey Balsamic Brussel Sprouts – Drizzle it over roasted veggies for an extra punch of flavor.
- Chicken Sandwiches and Burgers – Use it as a rich and creamy spread for all variety of sandwiches and burgers.
Tips and tricks
- Always taste sweet chili aioli after mixing the ingredients together. You may find that you want to adjust the flavor by adding more salt or more lemon juice to balance the richness, or mix in an extra spoonful of sweet chili sauce for a more prominent taste.
- Adjust the consistency of the aioli to your liking. Stir in water or milk for a thinner sauce, or mix in more mayo for a thicker sauce.
- Chill the sauce for about 15 minutes before serving. While this is optional, it helps the sauce to thicken and for the flavors to meld together and intensify.
- Stir leftover sweet chili aioli with additional liquid (if needed) as it will naturally thicken in the fridge and the creamy mayo may also separate.
- Make a double batch of sweet chili aioli by simply doubling the ingredients called for in this recipe, if needed.
Variations
Switch up your sweet chili aioli with these simple, crowd-pleasing twists. Craving extra sweetness? More heat? A lighter touch? There’s a version here to match every preference:
- Honey for sweetness – Stir in 1–2 teaspoons of honey for a sweeter aioli. It’s a great option when pairing with spicier dishes to offset the heat.
- Kick of heat – Mix in some chili powder or crushed red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Vegan aioli – Use vegan mayonnaise for a vegan-friendly sauce.
- Make it lighter – Use reduced fat mayo for a lighter aioli that won’t be as rich, if you prefer. Plain Greek yogurt can also be used to replace the mayo for a tangy, protein-rich version that’s still lighter than mayo.
- Smoky sweet chili aioli – Add a dash of smoked paprika to pair with grilled meats, seafood, and roasted vegetables.
Serving suggestions
This sweet chili aioli is a go-to condiment for dipping, spreading, and drizzling. You can also easily add it as an ingredient to various main meals:
Storing
- Store leftover sweet chili aioli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Make sure to give the sauce a good stir before serving, as the creamy mayo may separate during storage.
- I don’t recommend freezing this sauce as the freezing and thawing can alter the smooth and creamy consistency.
Erin’s wine pairings for sweet chili aioli
When it comes to wine pairings for this sweet chili aioli, look for bottles with bright acidity, a whisper of sweetness, or vibrant citrus notes. These elements beautifully counterbalance the sauce’s creamy richness and gentle heat. Some great choices include:
- A zesty, citrus-forward Sauvignon Blanc is one of the best pairings for this sweet chili aioli sauce. Its crisp acidity cuts through the creamy mayo base, while the citrus and herbal notes complement the spicy addition of the sweet chili.
- A lightly sweet (off-dry) Riesling also balances the kick of heat from the sweet chili sauce. Its acidity also works well with the lemon juice and mayonnaise in the aioli.
- Crisp, citrusy Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio adds a refreshing lift to creamy, spicy and slightly sweet sauces, such as this sweet chili aioli. It’s especially good if your dish includes feta, grilled chicken, or roasted veggies.
More homemade aioli sauces
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Full Recipe
Sweet Chili Aioli
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 clove garlic (grated or minced)
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine.
Notes
- Store leftover sweet chili aioli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Make sure to give the sauce a good stir before serving, as the creamy mayo may separate during storage.
- I don’t recommend freezing this sauce as the freezing and thawing can alter the smooth and creamy consistency.
- Always taste sweet chili aioli after mixing the ingredients together. You may find that you want to adjust the flavor by adding more salt or more lemon juice to balance the richness, or mix in an extra spoonful of sweet chili sauce for a more prominent taste.
- Adjust the consistency of the aioli to your liking. Stir in water or milk for a thinner sauce, or mix in more mayo for a thicker sauce.
- Chill the sauce for about 15 minutes before serving. While this is optional, it helps the sauce to thicken and for the flavors to meld together and intensify.
- Stir leftover sweet chili aioli with additional liquid (if needed) as it will naturally thicken in the fridge and the creamy mayo may also separate.
- Make a double batch of sweet chili aioli by simply doubling the ingredients called for in this recipe, if needed.
- Honey for sweetness – Stir in 1–2 teaspoons of honey for a sweeter aioli. It’s a great option when pairing with spicier dishes to offset the heat.
- Kick of heat – Mix in some chili powder or crushed red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Vegan aioli – Use vegan mayonnaise for a vegan-friendly sauce.
- Make it lighter – Use reduced fat mayo for a lighter aioli that won’t be as rich, if you prefer. Plain Greek yogurt can also be used to replace the mayo for a tangy, protein-rich version that’s still lighter than mayo.
- Smoky sweet chili aioli – Add a dash of smoked paprika to pair with grilled meats, seafood, and roasted vegetables.
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