Who says you cannot make a condiment in seconds? show them how to make jalapeno aioli with simple ingredients. This spicy aioli sauce is easy enough for a quick dressing and a fabulous dip for barbeque nights.
Jalapeno aioli is creamy with mild spiciness but with tempting flavors. Moreover, a low-carb and keto-friendly dip. It is also a satisfying aioli for your favorite snacks and is made with garlic, jalapeno, and mayonnaise.

What is jalapeno aioli?
It's nothing but a fancy-flavored mayonnaise. This is a spicy, savory, finger-licking good condiment. It's a fusion recipe of France with America's famous jalapeno pepper. This complements the dish that is served with, think about a salad or fried chicken. It perfectly balances with its rich flavors.
How to make jalapeno aioli sauce
It is a super easy recipe that requires 10 minutes to make. Just whip up the mayo with the minced jalapeno and other pantry staple ingredients(much like this cilantro jalapeno dressing). And in a flash, you are ready to enjoy your food.
If you are new to the kitchen, wear gloves when handling the jalapeno to avoid skin irritation.
The ingredients
Mayo. Use the mayo of your choice. It can be vegan, low-fat, or original version. I made it with low-fat mayo, which I always use. Homemade mayo also works fine if you prefer.
Garlic. I strongly suggest staying with fresh garlic as nothing can beat the elegant flavors and the texture when the garlic is unpreserved. Mince it as fine as possible, as it might not interrupt the tastebuds while enjoying your main dish.
Fresh Jalapeno. Gives a fabulous kick that can never be compromised. However, you may skip it if it's not in season. Remove the seeds and the pith-the-white membrane inside the pepper to make the aioli flavorsome and with less heat. You may leave some seeds on depending on your heat tolerance. Or if you have preserved jalapeno like this roasted jalapeno, feel free to use it.
Pickled Jalapeno. Adding a tablespoon of finely chopped does wonders in jalapeno aioli.
Black pepper. I have added to add a zing, though it's optional.
The recipe directions
Add mayo, minced garlic, fresh jalapeno, pickled jalapeno, and crushed black pepper in a bowl.
Use a whisk to blend everything until combined.
Transfer to a small bowl and serve as dipping or as dressing.
Best to serve with
The fried chicken. This duo is unbeatable; the crispy fried chicken dipped with this spicy jalapeno aioli is addictive.
The seafood. It is fantastic to pair with salmon, shrimp, or crab cakes.
Potato. Great to have with spicy potato wedges, sweet potato fries, or spicy plantain chips.
Tacos. Drizzle over a fish taco or shrimp taco. I would say this is a perfect addition.
Food with cheddar cheese. Jalapeno and cheddar go hand in hand. So, food topped with cheddar works fine with this spicy jalapeno aioli.
Salad dressing. Makes a simple salad like Greek yogurt chicken salad, black bean corn, and avocado salad to an extraordinary one.
Make ahead and storing ideas
This jalapeno aioli is the best make-ahead-friendly recipe. This is good to whip up two days before your event date. Choose an air-sealed container to retain its freshness and flavors.
When refrigerated, the leftovers are also good to store for up to 3 days.
Other dipping sauces you may like,
Variations
The choice of variations for jalapeno aioli is immense. The following are my favorites and I have tried them. Additionally, it can give you an idea to make and customize your own.
Oregano. Add a pinch of oregano for an enhancement. Fresh or dried oregano is equally significant here.
Olives. Chopped olives are also fantastic to add.
Lime juice and lime zest. Add a teaspoon for a kick and refreshing aroma. But on the downside, thins down the dipping sauce. So adding a little quantity would be a wise decision.
Cilantro. If you prefer a bold variation, add a tablespoon of chopped cilantro and feel the difference.
Other jalapeno recipes you may like,
The recipe FAQ
The fresh jalapeno is responsible for the heat in this spicy aioli recipe. If you want to make it spicy, leave the seeds intact while mincing them. But be cautious as a little more can become too hot to handle.
If you want to still hotter, replace black pepper with red pepper flakes. Which is also pairs up well.
Did you make jalapeno aioli and find it too hot to handle? No worries, you can bring down the spice level in several ways. You may add one or a combination of the following.
Mayo. Combine until it's not spicy anymore.
A blob of butter. It brings down the heat immediately.
Lime juice. Overcome the spiciness and also gives a sour taste.
Printable recipe card
Jalapeno aioli
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 11/2 tablespoon jalapeno minced
- 2 tablespoon pickled jalapeno minced
- ½ teaspoon whole black pepper crushed
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, add mayonnaise, minced jalapeno, pickled jalapeno, garlic, and black pepper.
- Using a whisk, whip up gently until all the ingredients combined together.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy.
Jacqueline
Mmmmm that sounds good. Would be great with spicy tofu.
Sara Welch
This was such a unique and unexpected sauce! Turned out perfectly creamy with the right amount of kick! Delicious!
Andrea
Wow! Quick, easy to make, keto and flavorful. This is my kind of dip. Will be using this for all sorts of dishes.
Janessa
Such a delicious sauce! We used it when we made homemade sushi rolls and it was perfect.
Jamie
I love the flavor of this aioli, especially the spicy kick from the jalapenos! It made an excellent veggie dip! Thank you.