Aioli vs Mayonnaise: Difference and Comparison

Some foodies understand that in order for salsas as well as other confectionaries, to taste good, aioli should be added.

Some people, to their astonishment, may mistake aioli for mayonnaise whenever they see it. Nonetheless, the two products must be tasted to distinguish their differences.

And this article here is to help you with the fine differences between mayonnaise and aioli without making you actually taste them!

Key Takeaways

1. Aioli originates from Mediterranean cuisine and traditionally contains garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice, while mayonnaise is a French condiment made from egg yolks, oil, vinegar, or lemon juice.
2. Aioli has a strong garlic flavor, whereas mayonnaise has a milder taste and creamy texture.
3. Aioli is often served with grilled vegetables, seafood, and meats, while mayonnaise is a versatile condiment used in sandwiches, salads and as a base for various sauces.

Aioli vs Mayonnaise

The difference between aioli and mayonnaise is that aioli contains garlic as its principal component, whereas mayonnaise does not. Aioli has a powerful flavor, but normal mayonnaise seems to have a bland flavor. In terms of flavor, aioli is genuinely rather peppery and fresh to taste, whilst mayonnaise is just smooth and buttery.

What is generally referred to as aioli dressing is simply mayonnaise that has been heavily seasoned with garlic and veggies.

It was just tonnes of garlic mashed with a pestle and mortar and mixed with oil in the region of France, namely in Provence, where aioli (spelled “aoli”) originated, with no yolks or acid included.

However, many modifications made the aioli to be made a bit spicier and fresh. Mayonnaise, often known as mayo or sour dressing, is a rich, velvety sauce or dressing that is widely used on hamburgers, patties, salads, club sandwiches, and French fries.

It also serves as the foundation for a variety of other condiments, including marinara sauce, fry sauce, tartar sauce with cheese dressing, remoulade, salsa golf, and rouille.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Aioli	Mayonnaise
Ingredients	Olive oil, garlic, salt and lemon juices. Modern aioli sometimes contain egg yolk and a few herbs too.	Mayonnaise is made up of egg yolks, cream, mustard powder and canola oil.
Texture	Aioli has a smooth and velvety texture but is visibly yellow and cream colored.	Mayonnaise is creamy textured with some tiny bubbles. The color is pale yellow and white.
Taste	Aioli is a spicy and fresh sauce which packs a thunderous taste.	Mayonnaise is bland and creamy in taste. It doesn’t particularly have any strong taste but it is a bit on the savory side.
Origin	Aioli originated in France.	Mayonnaise originated in Spain.
Served With	Salmon and prawn roasts, chilli garlic spatchcock, baked cod and lime.	Sandwiches, french fries, patties, veg or non-veg wraps, hotdogs, etc.

What is Aioli?

Aioli is a viscous garlicky sauce that is popular in the cuisines of Provence, France, and Barcelona, Spain. True aioli is a garlic-and-extra-virgin-olive-oil-based mixture.

This renders the typical menu item “garlic aioli” obsolete. In reality, the word aioli means “garlic oil.”

The creamy smoothness and light color of aioli are achieved by emulsifying the two components with a pinch of coarse sea salt.

Since garlic lacks the emulsifying qualities of egg yolk, it takes a lot of lube to mix the olive oil into garlic.

Aioli is commonly served as a dipping for veggie crudité, poached eggs, and seafood, whereas mayo is used in several ways.

And now that you understand everything there is to learn about aioli, you might find it difficult to return to Hellman’s.

Garlic is thought to have therapeutic properties and is thus beneficial to one’s health.

Aioli, a unique recipe from Provence in Southern France, is a frequent accompaniment to pieces of jacket potato, cooked artichokes, raw vegetables, grilled sea delicacies, particularly fresh seafood, or any other meal that requires extra flavor.

Individuals who do not want to utilize egg yolks might use reheated old bread or baked potatoes.

Since standard aioli does have a strong flavor, it is not a particularly adaptable meal add-on because that might overshadow the flavor of other dishes.

What is Mayonnaise?

Mayonnaise is a type of emulsified gel made from egg yolks as well as oil.

When the oil is progressively introduced to the egg yolk while aggressively beating the combination, it splits up into small particles trapped inside it.

In contrast to the transparent look of oil, thousands of small oil droplets create the milky, opaque white hue of mayonnaise.

The lecithin in the egg yolk keeps the droplets stationary and prevents the oil from splitting and regrouping as it would ordinarily.

Mayonnaise is often made using a basic, flavorless oil like canola.

It may use an acidic component such as lime juice or acetic to give acidity and a subtle counterpoint to the silky oil.

Mayonnaise is commonly made with salt, white pepper, and dry crushed mustard, although almost anything can be included, even herbs.

In the mayonnaise industry, several variations include extra flavorings.

The hue ranges from near-white to pale yellow, with a texture that ranges from creamier texture to thick gel.

Manufactured imitations are available for vegans, others who eschew chicken eggs or cholesterol intake, or those who are allergic to eggs.

Main Differences Between Aioli and Mayonnaise

1. Aioli is served with bland dishes or dishes without any strong taste, whereas mayonnaise is served with fresh dishes with notes as well as a strong taste.
2. Aioli does not contain egg yolk; however, egg yolk is a compulsion in mayonnaise unless it is flavored with something else.
3. Aioli is gingery and spicy in taste, whereas mayonnaise is bland and smooth in taste.
4. Aioli was first made in France, whereas mayonnaise was first made in Spain.
5. Aioli has a base of garlic along with olive oil, whereas mayonnaise is based on egg yolk and mustard powder with minute herbs and canola oil.

References

1. https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/what-is-aioli
2. https://www.britannica.com/topic/mayonnaise