This garlic-herbed aioli recipe is super easy to make and it is 100% plant-based vegan which makes it a healthier option when compared to traditional aioli recipes.
If you love the taste of fall then you will love this vegan aioli recipe that is perfect for the fall and holiday season.
This aioli recipe is herbed with fresh thyme and rosemary and as the name reveals, garlic.
The recipe was created to go with our not-so-ordinary fall grain bowl recipe, and also pairs amazingly with roasted potatoes, french fries, garlic bread, sandwiches, and burgers.
Health Benefits
Garlic has been known to boost the immune system, reducing colds or length of symptoms. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and in the long term may also lead to reduced risks of certain types of cancer. Consuming garlic may reduce blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels.
Cashews have healthy fats from monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids that are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. They are also a good source of magnesium, protein, and iron.
Rosemary has immune boosting properties and contains carnosic and rosmarinic acids which have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.
Thyme has immune supporting vitamins and minerals, like vitamin C, and can help soothe coughs and chest congestion. It also contains oils, like thymol and carvacrol that have antiinflammatory properties.
Ingredients
This is a simple recipe to make, only 9 ingredients are needed to make this aioli! For equipment, a high speed blender is highly recommended to get a smooth and creamy aioli sauce.
- cashews - cashews are the base of this recipe, adding fat and creaminess
- water - water is used to reduce the amount of oil and can easily be adjusted depending on how thick of a sauce you prefer
- olive oil - a traditional ingredient in true aioli recipes, go for a high-quality cold-pressed oil if possible
- apple cider vinegar - brightens and balances the sauce and helps preserve the sauce to last longer
- garlic cloves - a traditional ingredient in true aioli recipes, garlic adds flavor
- fresh herbs, like rosemary and thyme - these fresh herbs add an earthy fall flavor
- salt + pepper - balances the flavor and salt acts as a preservative to help the sauce last longer
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Equipment needed: a blender.
Get started by soaking the cashews in water for at least 30 minutes. This ensures that you will get a smooth and creamy aioli.
If you are short on time you could skip this step or shorten the soak time. But if you skip soaking your cashews then you will miss out on the health benefits soaking has to offer, read why soaking your nuts is important.
Chop the garlic and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Allowing the garlic to sit for 10 minutes activates the health benefits of garlic, read more here.
Destem and chop the fresh rosemary and thyme to measure.
Measure out the rest of the ingredients, water, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Add all the ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth and creamy. It is really that simple!
Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your liking, just keep in mind the flavor will continue to develop after blending.
Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
FAQ
Aioli is a Mediterranean condiment that has changed over the last few decades, traditionally aioli was made with a mortar and pestle by pounding the cooked garlic, with the olive oil drop by drop until it was emulsified. Modern-day aioli is more easily made with the additions of egg yolk, oil, and an acid (like lemon or vinegar), which is essentially mayonnaise and then processed in a food processor.
An authentic Mediterranean aioli is vegan by default, it is simply made of garlic, olive oil, and salt. This can be a time-consuming task and is often made with egg yolk or mayonnaise. Although vegan mayo could easily be substituted.
Traditional aioli is actually a vegan recipe, made with just olive oil, garlic, and salt. Because this can be a bit time-consuming some vegan aioli recipes call for mayonnaise or cashews, like in this recipe which is a bit more health-conscious.
Substitutions
- Cashews - instead of cashews substitute for almonds, just keep in mind almonds require a longer soaking time, ideally 8-12 hours.
- Herbs - use dried herbs instead of fresh herbs. You can also tinker with the herbs used here and make different flavored aiolis.
Recipe
Vegan Garlic Herbed Aioli Recipe
Equipment
- blender
Ingredients
- ½ cup cashews
- ¼ cup water
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1-2 garlic cloves
- ½ tsp fresh rosemary chopped
- ½ tsp fresh thyme chopped
- ¼ tsp salt
- â…› tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Soak the cashews for at least 30 minutes if in a rush and 6 hours (or overnight) to activate health benefits.
- Peel and chop the garlic and let sit.
- Destem and chop the fresh thyme and rosemary.
- After the cashews have soaked, strain and rinse the cashews.
- Add all the ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
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