Name: 3-Minute Basil Pesto Aioli (Garlic Dipping Sauce)
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup mayo; 2 Tablespoons (vegan) pesto ((see notes below)); 1 clove garlic (grated or finely minced (see notes below)); 1 teaspoon lemon juice

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Garlic basil pesto aioli in 3 minutes! Using mayo and pesto as the base, this homemade basil dipping sauce (which can be made into a dressing) packs a punch of flavor!

Basil pesto aioli dripping from a spoon to a white ramekin.

What Is Pesto Aioli Made Of?

Mayo: Creamy and rich — use your favorite (vegan) mayo or make your own oil-free & dairy-free mayonnaise in just 3 minutes!
(Vegan) Pesto: A basil-packed sauce that adds a punch of flavor; both store-bought or homemade (like my purple pesto recipe) works.
- If you prefer using fresh basil leaves, make my lemon basil aioli instead!
Garlic: Fresh is best, but garlic powder can work in a pinch (sub 1 garlic clove with 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder).
- If you’re not a fan of garlic, simply skip it and make my pesto mayo instead.
Lemon Juice: Brightens everything up with a zingy freshness!
- You can also add a bit of lemon zest to highlight the lemony flavor, similar to my lemon basil garlic aioli!
- When in a pinch, you can substitute it with red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

Mayonnaise, pesto, and half a lemon on a white marble countertop, labelled.

Step-by-step Instructions

Mix all ingredients until smooth, and enjoy your basil pesto aioli! No food processor or (immersion) blender needed, and naturally gluten-free!

Pesto, mayo, and lemon juice in a small white bowl.

Mixing mayonnaise with pesto and lemon juice with a spoon.

Top Tips

Use a microplane or a fine handheld grater for your garlic. If you don’t have the tools, mince your garlic very finely so the flavor meld better.
If you want a drizzle-friendly consistency (e.g. for your salad dressing), add a teaspoon of water at a time until you reached your desired consistency.
Use high-quality vegan pesto. You would definitely taste the difference!
For storage and/or meal prep, keep it in a mason jar or any airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Garlic basil aioli with pesto, lemon, and garlic around.

Serving Suggestions

To make this easy pesto aioli a full meal, spread it on sandwiches or wraps for a herby, creamy boost, like what I did here in these vegan tea sandwiches. Or thin it out with a bit of water to get a basil pesto salad dressing which you can drizzle over grain bowls, salad bowls, or grilled veggies.

You can also use this garlic basil aioli for veggie burgers or as a sauce for pasta salads. Or mix it into pasta for an instant creamy basil twist!

Or of course, use this basil dipping sauce with adobo fries, sweet potato fries, or crunchy crudités (raw vegetables platter).

Basil pesto dipping sauce made with mayo as a base.

FAQ

Yes, traditional aioli has a strong garlic flavor since garlic is one of its main ingredients. You can read more about aioli in this article from Taste!

Pesto typically includes basil, garlic, (extra virgin) olive oil, pine nuts, and Parmesan (which is usually substituted with nutritional yeast for the vegan version).

The main liquid in pesto is usually olive oil, which helps blend the ingredients into a smooth sauce. Simply give it a good stir to mix things well before using your pesto!

Basil aioli usually combines mayo, basil or pesto, garlic, and lemon juice, although the exact ingredients depend on the recipe. This garlic basil aioli uses vegan pesto, but you can check this lemon basil aioli for a healthier version that uses basil leaves!

You can, but I don’t find it necessary. As always, taste test and adjust!

A bowl of garlic basil pesto aioli with a spoon sticking.

Want More Easy but Fancy Italian Dips?

For more Italian dipping sauces, try this spicy Calabrian aioli or balsamic aioli sauce. If you want something milder, try my sun-dried tomato aioli, my roasted red pepper aioli, or my smoked paprika aioli!