BBQ Aioli combines creamy mayonnaise, smoky BBQ sauce, fresh garlic, and a splash of lemon juice for a rich, tangy, and versatile condiment. Ready in just minutes, it’s the perfect way to add a bold, smoky-sweet kick to your favorite sandwiches, fries, and grilled foods.
Table of Contents
This BBQ aioli blends the creamy base of mayonnaise with the smoky-sweet tang of BBQ sauce, a punch of fresh garlic and a bright hint of lemon. Far more than just a sauce, it’s a versatile addition that can elevate every dish it touches, from classic burgers and crispy onion rings to grilled chicken and sandwiches.
Add a touch of honey for extra sweetness, a dash of hot sauce for more heat, or a sprinkle of smoked paprika for deeper smokiness. Whisk it together in just five minutes, and you’ll have a new go-to condiment that stores perfectly in the fridge for up to 2 weeks – added to various dishes throughout the week.
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.
- BBQ sauce – Use homemade BBQ Sauce or store-bought BBQ sauce.
- Garlic – Fresh cloves, grated or minced, 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
Step 1
Combine and stir
- Add all of the ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine.
Step 2
Serve or store
- Use this BBQ aioli 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 BBQ Aioli
Elevate your meals with this versatile BBQ aioli. Swirl it into soups and stew for a smoky-sweet richness or offer it as a bold dipping sauce – it delivers a captivating depth of flavor to every single bite.
- As a dip: Its creamy texture and smoky tang make it an irresistible pairing for French fries and onion rings.
- As a spread: Slather it on burgers and sandwiches to add a layer of creamy, complex flavor.
- As a flavor boost: A dollop can enrich soups and stews, or serve as an elegant sauce for roasted vegetables.
Tips and tricks
- Always taste this BBQ aioli after mixing the ingredients together. You may find that you want to adjust the flavor by adding more salt, more lemon juice to balance the richness, or mix in an extra bit of tangy BBQ sauce for a more prominent taste.
- Adjust the consistency of the aioli to your liking. Stir in some water 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 BBQ 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 BBQ aioli by simply doubling the ingredients called for in this recipe, if needed.
Variations
Elevate your BBQ aioli in minutes. Customize your sauce from sweet and smoky to spicy or a lighter version – there’s a perfect variation for every taste:
- Sweet BBQ aioli – Stir in honey, brown sugar, or molasses. That sweet and tangy flavor combo is perfect with crispy chicken tenders or chicken wings.
- Spicy BBQ aioli – Add sriracha, hot sauce, or cayenne pepper.
- Vegan BBQ aioli – Use vegan mayonnaise for a vegan-friendly sauce.
- Light BBQ aioli – 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 BBQ aioli – Use a smoky BBQ sauce in this aioli, add a dash of smoked paprika, or liquid smoke – great with grilled meats, seafood, and roasted vegetables.
- Spices – Try adding in some onion powder or red pepper flakes.
Serving suggestions
This versatile BBQ aioli is a go-to condiment for dipping, spreading, and drizzling, but it also works perfectly as a key ingredient in main dishes. Here are some ways to enjoy this delicious sauce:
- Glaze meats by brushing onto chicken, pork chops, brisket, or ribs during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Boost pulled pork by mixing this BBQ aioli into it for the most flavorful sandwiches imaginable.
- Upgrade your recipes, from adding it to your meatloaf glaze or stirring into baked beans.
Storing
Store leftover BBQ 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
When pairing wine with this BBQ aioli, choose bottles that offer bright acidity, subtle sweetness, or refreshing citrus notes to balance its creamy richness and slight spicy kick. Excellent choices include:
- Off-dry Riesling’s subtle sweetness and acidity cut through the richness of BBQ aioli, making it a great match for spicy or sweet uses and pairings, such as glazed meats or fried foods.
- A lightly oaked Chardonnay offers creamy textures and notes of citrus and stone fruit, which balance the richness of BBQ aioli. This pairing is especially good with grilled seafood or chicken.
- A dry rosé with bright acidity and red fruit flavors provides a refreshing contrast to the creamy, smoky aioli. It’s versatile enough to pair with vegetables, seafood, or lighter meats.
More creamy sauces
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Full Recipe
BBQ Aioli
Equipment
- Spoon
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 clove garlic (grated or minced)
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine.
Notes
- Store leftover BBQ 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 this BBQ aioli after mixing the ingredients together. You may find that you want to adjust the flavor by adding more salt, more lemon juice to balance the richness, or mix in an extra bit of tangy BBQ sauce for a more prominent taste.
- Adjust the consistency of the aioli to your liking. Stir in some water 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 BBQ 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 BBQ aioli by simply doubling the ingredients called for in this recipe, if needed.
- Sweet BBQ aioli – Stir in honey, brown sugar, or molasses. That sweet and tangy flavor combo is perfect with crispy chicken tenders or chicken wings.
- Spicy BBQ aioli – Add sriracha, hot sauce, or cayenne pepper.
- Vegan BBQ aioli – Use vegan mayonnaise for a vegan-friendly sauce.
- Light BBQ aioli – 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 BBQ aioli – Use a smoky BBQ sauce in this aioli, add a dash of smoked paprika, or liquid smoke – great with grilled meats, seafood, and roasted vegetables.
- Spices – Try adding in some onion powder or red pepper flakes.
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