BBQ Aioli

Homemade smoky BBQ aioli is a creamy sauce with a slightly sweet yet distinctive smoky flavor that you’ll want to put on everything. This recipe is naturally dairy-free and gluten-free with an egg-free option.

This delicious aioli recipe is a versatile sauce that goes with so many foods. It’s made with a simple homemade barbecue seasoning mix and a couple of basic pantry staples.

You can use it as a dipping sauce for sweet potato fries, carrot fries, french fries, chicken tenders, tater tots, crispy baked onion rings, or crispy roasted potatoes with onions.

It’s the perfect spread to add to roasted cauliflower and chickpea tacos (it goes so well with the taco seasoning flavors) or on top of quinoa veggie burgers or a beef patty. 

Ingredients

• Mayonnaise – a condiment you likely already have in your refrigerator made with a whole egg (the egg yolk and whites), dijon mustard or mustard powder, an acid such as white wine vinegar or lemon juice, salt, and a more neutral oil (I love avocado oil).
• Brown sugar – the small amount of added sugar helps to balance out the savory flavors in the sauce. 
• Smoked paprika – contributes to the smoky BBQ sauce flavor
• Garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder – these spices add a lot more savory flavor.
• Kosher salt and black pepper – to taste.
• Sriracha – not a common ingredient but it balances out the flavors in the sauce. Without it, the sauce tasted like something was missing.

See the recipe card for measurements.

How to Make Smoky Barbecue Aioli

Step 1. Add all the ingredients to a small bowl.

Step 2. Whisk until well combined and add more salt or pepper, or an acid if needed, to taste.

Step 3. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Make It Your Way: Substitutions & Variations

Please remember that recipes are just a starting point.

How can you make this BBQ aioli sauce using what you already have? Here are some ideas…

• Make it egg-free – use vegan mayo instead of regular mayo. 
• No brown sugar? – you can also use coconut sugar or even maple syrup.
• No sriracha? – you can also add in cayenne pepper, chipotle pepper powder, or a small chipotle pepper in adobo sauce which will add even more of a smoky taste, but be careful if you’re sensitive to heat because chipotle peppers are quite spicy.
• Add-ins – tomato paste for more richness, an acid such as apple cider vinegar or white vinegar for more tanginess, Worcestershire sauce for added flavor and balance, liquid smoke for an even smokier flavor, etc.

More Easy Sauce Recipes

• Japanese Spicy Mayo
• 5 Minute Gluten Free Hoisin Sauce
• Dairy Free Ranch Dressing
• Creamy Lemon Miso Dressing