Name: 3-Minute Balsamic Aioli/Mayo (for Dip & Dressing)
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar; 1/2 clove garlic (grated, microplaned, or very finely minced); 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

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Creamy balsamic aioli in just 3 minutes! Using mayonnaise as a base, this creamy sauce is perfect as a dip, or a dressing when thinned out with some water!

Dipping French fries into balsamic aioli dip with black pepper.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Mayonnaise: I use my homemade vegan mayo but feel free to use any other mayonnaise!
Balsamic Vinegar: Adds a tangy depth for an even richer balsamic dip.
Garlic: Brings a punch of flavor.
- Feel free to sub with 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder for convenience and/or for a milder flavor.
Black Pepper: Adds a spicy kick and extra depth to the aioli. It’s something small but makes a lot of difference, so don’t skip this one!
- This is one of the rare recipes where ground black pepper is preferred over freshly cracked black pepper. I think it’s because the small grains mix better!

Balsamic vinegar, mayonnaise, garlic, and black pepper in small bowls, with labels.

Step-by-step Instructions

Mix mayo, balsamic vinegar, finely grated garlic, and black pepper in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and enjoy your balsamic mayo!

All ingredients for balsamic mayo dressing being mixed in a small white ramekin.

Mixing balsamic aioli cream sauce in a small white bowl.

Top Tips

For the best flavor, let the balsamic mayo sit for 3-5 minutes for the flavors to blend together.
- But if you’re in a rush, you can also serve it right away!
Use a grater, microplane, or really finley mince your garlic so there won’t be large bites of garlic, which is unpleasant to bite into!
Adjust to taste: Love tangy flavors? Add a splash more balsamic.
- Prefer it milder? Cut back on the garlic or pepper.

Close-up of balsamic cream sauce mayonnaise to show its creamy texture.

Serving Suggestions

Dip for Fries or Veggies: Serve with crispy sweet potato fries, roasted adobo fries, or fresh veggie sticks like carrots and bell peppers.

Sandwich Spread: Slather on a vegan burger, bagel sandwich, bagel with hummus, or with this chickpea sandwich!

Salad Dressing: Thin it out with a little water (or extra virgin olive oil) and drizzle your balsamic mayo dressing over a grain bowl served with roasted vegetables, salad, or over this tomato carpaccio!

Charcuterie Boards: Include this Italian sauce as a dip on a vegan charcuterie board with crusty bread or crackers (like when served with this raspberry cream cheese dip or sun-dried tomato mayo sauce) and olives.

A spoonful of balsamic aioli cream sauce, held onto the camera from below.

Storage and Meal Prep Instructions

Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Meal Prep: This balsamic cream sauce is perfect for meal prep as it gets more flavorful after sitting in the fridge!

Freezing: Do NOT freeze this balsamic mayo since mayonnaise doesn’t freeze well in general.

FAQ

Balsamic sauce is typically made from reduced balsamic vinegar (balsamic glaze), with added ingredients to thin it out. It can simply be some water or mayonnaise for a creamy balsamic sauce.

Traditional Italian balsamic vinegar is aged for years, which deepens its flavor and makes it costly. If you would like to learn more, check out this balsamic vinegar article by Food Republic.

Yes you can! This creates a tangy and creamy sauce. Just be sure to mix them well for the best flavor.

Both can be made with balsamic vinegar. However, balsamic glaze is the reduced version of balsamic vinegar, meaning that it is thick and sweet. You can DIY this at home by following my balsamic glaze vs vinegar here.

On the other hand, adding oil and flavor boosters (like garlic or herbs) to balsamic vinegar creates a vinaigrette. So balsamic vinaigrette is more runny.

Depending on the recipe, t’s typically a mix of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, and sometimes mustard, garlic, and a sweetener (like maple syrup or brown sugar). However, you can also make a creamy salad dressing by thinning out this balsamic mayo with a bit of water!

A bowl of balsamic mayo dip with its ingredients scattered around.

Want More Sauces?

If you like balsamic, you would like my black garlic aioli! Or try this basil pesto aioli or basil lemon sauce for a herby punch.

For more tangy sauces, try my Dijon mustard aioli, citrus mayonnaise, or this kimchi mayo sauce!

And if you like spicy stuff, try this Calabrian chili aioli, tandoori mayo, or harissa mayo!