
Rich, garlicky, and impossibly silky, this classic aioli is the kind of condiment that makes everything it touches taste better โ from roasted vegetables to crusty bread to a simple grilled chicken breast. Many store-bought sauces and dressings sneak in stabilizers and thickeners that can be hard to track down on a label, so making your own puts you fully in control of what goes into the jar. This recipe relies entirely on the natural emulsifying power of egg yolks and a slow, patient pour of olive oil, which means the creamy, luscious texture you get here comes from technique alone โ no additives needed. The trick is starting with the oil one drop at a time, letting the emulsion build gradually until the mixture turns thick and opaque before you pick up the pace. A little lemon juice and a paste of garlic pounded with salt round out the flavor with brightness and depth that no bottled version can really replicate. It comes together in a single bowl with just a whisk, and the result is a deeply savory, restaurant-quality sauce that keeps in the fridge for a couple of days โ if it lasts that long.
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Learn more โ6 servings






Using a mortar and pestle (or the flat of a knife on a cutting board), pound or mince the garlic with the 1/4 tsp kosher salt until it forms a smooth, sticky paste with no visible chunks remaining.
Transfer the garlic paste to a medium bowl. Add the pasteurized egg yolks, lemon juice, and cold water, and whisk together until the mixture is uniform and slightly pale, about 30 seconds.
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