Lemon Aioli Recipe: 4 Ways to Use Lemon Aioli

Lemon aioli is an emulsion of egg yolks, oil, garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest. A traditional Mediterranean garlic aioli uses only fresh garlic, egg yolks, and neutral oil. Some general aioli recipes call for Dijon mustard to help emulsify the mixture, but in a lemon aioli, the lemon fulfills this need. To make an imitation aioli for weeknight dinners, a beginner home cook or someone pressed for time might use mayonnaise as a base, adding garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest.

Lemon aioli is a low-carb, naturally gluten-free condiment, so it can fit into many diets, even those with restrictions. If you’re looking for suggestions for how to use a lemon aioli sauce recipe, here are four possibilities:

1. 1. Dip vegetables into the aioli. A lemon aioli is a good dipping sauce for appetizers or side dishes because it is thick enough to adhere to the vegetables and other dippers. Serve aioli sauce in a small bowl alongside artichokes, steamed green beans, zucchini fries, or french fries.
2. 2. Spoon lemon aioli over crab cakes. Traditional condiments for crab cakes include tartar sauce and remoulade sauce, and a lemon aioli combines aspects of both to deliver a unique yet similarly satisfying experience. The flavors of crab and lemon go well together, while aioli’s creaminess complements the crispness of a chunky crab cake. Top the crab cakes with chives for a fresh, mild onion-flavored garnish.
3. 3. Spread lemon aioli on a whole chicken. The oily fats and egg yolks in a lemon aioli help to keep the skin crispy and the meat moist and tender as you roast chicken. Separate the skin from the meat while the chicken is raw, keeping the skin intact. Spread the aioli underneath the skin, then replace the skin and season the chicken with salt and pepper before you add it to the oven.
4. 4. Top rice dishes with lemon aioli. Lemon aioli pairs well with the seafood and saffron in paella (a classic Spanish rice dish) and many other rice dishes, such as rice pilaf. Add sriracha to the aioli and use it on Asian fried rice, or add chipotle powder and cumin for a Mexican-style rice dish.