This bacon aioli sauce is rich, creamy, and full of the smoky flavor of bacon, the tang of lemon, and the kick of garlic. It's the perfect sauce for dipping or using as a topping.
I love aioli sauce and as a result have several recipes posted on the site. As much as I love it and bacon, I decided it was high time I combined them, and I'm so glad I did! This aioli has the best flavor and goes with practically everything and I kid you not.
Bacon Aioli Sauce
This was inspired by my horseradish aioli recipe on this site and pairs well with this amazing smoked pretzels recipe.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Requires only a few ingredients and minimal preparation.
- Can be adjusted to suit your personal taste.
- Enhances the flavor of fries, burgers, sandwiches, vegetables, and more.
- Uses common, budget-friendly ingredients, yet its taste is gourmet.
- Creamy texture and amazing flavor always impresses.
Bacon Aioli Ingredients
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this delicious, creamy sauce. You'll find them all easily at your local grocery store.
- Bacon, crisp and crumbled - Use store-bought bacon if desired and you'll have to omit extra bacon fat.
- Mayonnaise - Use your favorite store bought mayo or homemade mayonnaise. For a lighter feel, use sour cream in place of half or even one quarter of the mayonnaise.
- Garlic - If you don't have fresh garlic, use jarred minced garlic.
- Rendered Bacon Fat - Reserve some after cooking the bacon yourself, if desired.
- Lemon Juice - Adds a light, bright and tangy flavor.
- Smoked Paprika - Use regular paprika if preferred for less heat.
- Chives - If you don't have chives, you can use finely chopped green onions.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
Substitutions and Variations
Don't have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this bacon aioli sauce.
- Maple Bacon Aioli - Add 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and prepare to love this aioli even more.
- Spicy - Add pinch red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, 1-2 teaspoons Sriracha or hot sauce, 1 teaspoon horseradish or some minced hot peppers (jalapeno or serrano) for a spicy kick.
- Healthier - Use turkey bacon and omit the rendered fat for a lighter version.
- Mustard - Add a teaspoon or two of mustard to taste, if desired.
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy this garlic mayo.
How to Make Bacon Aioli
Making this bacon aioli recipe is just as easy as gathering up the ingredients. You'll be in and out of the kitchen in no time.
Step 1: Cook the Bacon
Cook the bacon to desired crispness and save the rendered fat. Let the bacon cool and then crumble it.
Step 2: Make the Aioli
Combine the mayonnaise, lemon, garlic, paprika, crumbled bacon bits and rendered bacon fat together in a medium bowl. Mix until well-blended and add finely chopped chives. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Store in a jar with a tight-fitting lid inside fridge for at least 4 hours before serving. You'll be so glad you waited to eat this flavorful spread.
Hint: A mason jar works perfectly for storing this aioli sauce.
Storage
Bacon aioli should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days, including the day you made it. Always check for any signs of spoilage before using, like mold or unpleasant odor.
What to Serve With Bacon Aioli
Bacon aioli is a versatile dipping sauce and spread that pairs well with a variety of dishes. Some popular options include:
- eggs or egg salad
- burgers
- sandwiches or what to serve with bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches
- chicken
- french fries or wedges, potato or sweet potato
- vegetables, fresh, roasted or grilled
- chips or crackers
- fish and shrimp
Tips
Although this is an easy recipe, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure it comes out perfectly.
- Let the rendered bacon fat cool before mixing it into the aioli sauce. Strain bacon fat if necessary to remove any unwanted bits.
- Refrigerate this aioli for at least 4 hours so the flavors can meld properly.
FAQ
Do you have questions about this bacon aioli sauce? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about bacon aioli.
Yes, you can make a healthier version of bacon aioli by using light or low-fat mayonnaise and turkey bacon to reduce the overall fat content and calorie count of the sauce.
While bacon fat adds richness and depth to the flavor of bacon aioli, you can omit it if you prefer a lighter sauce. The bacon itself will still provide a savory flavor.
Yes, you can use pre-cooked bacon to save time when making bacon aioli. Just make sure to crumble the bacon finely before combining it with the other ingredients. Keep in mind that pre-cooked bacon may be less crispy and you'll have less or no rendered fat available for flavoring the aioli.
Maple bacon aioli has an added touch of sweetness from maple syrup that complements the smoky flavor of the bacon and adds a subtle sweetness to the sauce. It works particularly well when paired with breakfast sandwiches, waffles, or sweet potato fries.
To make bacon garlic aioli, start by cooking your bacon until crispy and then finely chop it. Next, in a bowl combine mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, and the chopped bacon. Mix well or process until smooth and well combined. Make sure to taste the aioli and adjust the seasonings as needed.
Bacon aioli is a mayonnaise based dip or spread full of crisp and crumbled bacon, garlic, chives, with a little rendered bacon fat for extra flavor and some seasonings. Perfect for sandwiches, fries or vegetables, or any time you use mayo.
The flavor is a creamy mayonnaise with real bacon flavor from the addition of bacon grease.
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More Aioli Recipes
Do you like aioli? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
Bacon Aioli
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Bacon Aioli
Equipment
- mason jar or resealable container with lid
Ingredients
- 8 slices Bacon + extra for garnish, if desired crisp, crumbled, bacon fat rendered
- 1 tblsp rendered bacon fat
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tblsp chives finely chopped
Instructions
- Get out and measure your ingredients.
- Cook the bacon to desired crispness and save a few spoonfuls of the rendered fat. Let the bacon cool on paper towel and then crumble it.
- Combine the mayonnaise, lemon and rendered bacon fat togehter in a medium bowl. Add finely chopped chives, garlic, paprika and bacon.
- Stir until blended.
- Store refrigerated in an airtight container for at least 4 hours before serving, ideally longer. A mason jar is ideal for storing this bacon aioli sauce.
- Serve with finely chopped chives and extra bacon pieces, if desired.
- Serve. Dip and enjoy every bite!
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Notes
- Let the rendered bacon fat cool before mixing it into the aioli sauce. Strain bacon fat if necessary
- Refrigerate this aioli for at least 4 hours so the flavors can meld properly.
Nutrition
Sandra says
I Love this. My husband loves this. I mean this sauce goes on everything. It tastes so good. I add an extra tablespoon of rendered fat, some of your homemade chipotle powder and more garlic. I can almost eat a spoonful at a time right out of the jar. lol Thanks for sharing this recipe. We love it.😊
Karin and Ken says
I feel or should I say we feel the exact same way. It’s so good my husband makes it regularly. I’m sure he adds more fat too. A little extra can’t hurt. Thank you for taking the time to comment and let me know. All the best. Karin