Cilantro Lime Aioli
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This Cilantro Lime Aioli is a creamy, lime-infused, dairy-free sauce that will transform any Tex Mex dish, especially tacos!
The key to creating restaurant-quality food is often in the sauces. This easy-to-make aioli, which is simply a flavored mayonnaise, adds cool creaminess, a hint of lime, and complexity from the garlic and cilantro to all kinds of dishes.
Why Make It From Scratch?
One of the biggest challenges when trying to eat a real foods/whole foods diet is condiments! Most store-bought condiments are jam-packed with additives, preservatives, high-fructose corn syrup, and many other mystery ingredients. When time allows, you’ll find that making your own condiments like BBQ sauce, salad dressings, and pesto is not only healthier, but they are just tastier too! This proved to be especially true with our aioli.
We did take a shortcut by using this real mayonnaise in this recipe, so look for the one with the fewest ingredients or buy one in the health food section.
What Is Aioli?
The name “aioli” literally means “garlic and oil” and originally comes from the Mediterranean coasts of Spain, France, and Italy. More recent versions of this French-Provençal sauce resemble a garlic mayonnaise, incorporating egg yolks and lemon juice.
After tinkering with various ways to make homemade aioli, we decided making aioli from scratch is HARD to get right. (Truth be told, we had several flops before a success.) That’s why we decided to take a shortcut and use the following basic ingredients, including pre-made real mayo.
Ingredients
- Real mayonnaise – I like Primal Kitchen Mayo with Avocado Oil.
- Avocado – We loved the color, richness, and nutrition this ingredient adds!
- Garlic cloves
- Fresh lime juice and zest
- Fresh cilantro
- Kosher salt
- Ground black pepper
How to Make Cilantro Lime Aioli
You’ll be surprised at how easy it actually is to make. Simply use a food processor to combine all of the ingredients listed below in the recipe.
How Do I Store Homemade Aioli?
Seal and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavor is better after it sits for 24 hours. Because of its mayonnaise base, we don’t recommend freezing it.
What should I use it on or with?
- Our Carnitas for sure!
- Southwest Chicken and Bacon Wraps
- Fish Tacos
- A dip for chips or raw veggie sticks
Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!
Quick Cilantro Lime Aioli
A simple, creamy, dairy-free sauce that will transform a dish, especially tacos!
Ingredients
- 1/2 large ripe Hass avocado
- 1/3 cup real mayonnaise (I like Primal Kitchen Mayo with Avocado Oil)
- 2 garlic cloves, smashed
- Juice and zest of 1 lime
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt, or more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, or more to taste
- Optional: 1-3 drops hot sauce
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
Blend all the ingredients until creamy in a small food processor or blender. Taste and add more seasoning, if desired. Seal and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes/Tips
Flavor is better after it sits for 24 hours.
Really good marinade. I use it for chicken burrito bowls.
★★★★★
Yum! Love burrito bowls! Thank you for leaving a review Amber.
Such a fantastic sauce. We make this, the pork carnitas, and the pickled red onions all the time!
★★★★★
Thanks Anne. The carnitas are a fan favorite for sure. Glad you make the pickled red onions too!
Love this!! I’ll be using this for fish tacos and I’m sure many other things!!
I did and a little bit more avocado than what the recipe called for.
★★★★★
A little more avocado never hurt anyone. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to leave a review.
Perfect blend of creamy and tangy!
★★★★★
Great! Glad you liked it.
Absolutely delicious! I made it with mayonnaise. Next time I try with sour cream, then with Yogurt. Very delicious thanks!
So glad to hear that!
This was excellent! I served it with the Killer Carnitas from the 1 Hour Freezer Prep Session 11. I highly recommend!
Yay! Glad you tried it and liked it! Last time I made the Killer Carnitas I also added our Quick Picked Red Onions, which added some crunch, a little sweetness, and a little acidity. Thanks for leaving a review.