Flavored Mayonnaise Is Not Aioli

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As one could probably guess, I watch a lot of shows on Food Network.  I was watching Trisha’s Southern Kitchen when host, Trisha was making “Smoky Aioli” for over potatoes.  Her aioli was a combination of  mayonnaise, ketchup, smoked paprika, garlic salt, and hot sauce.  The only problem is, IT'S FLAVORED MAYONNAISE, NOT AIOLI!

Aioli is made from garlic and oil while mayo is made from egg yolks and oil.  Mayonnaise, by definition, contains eggs.  Aioli, by definition, contains no eggs.  This is the reason there's no such thing as “vegan mayonnaise.”  Mayonnaise contains eggs.

It's a simple distinction.  Yet, bizarrely, chefs and restaurants keep making flavored mayonnaises and calling them aioli.  Granted, most of the time there's no harm done.  If a diner is vegan or allergic to eggs, and they think they’re ordering aioli, the results can range from annoying to lethal.

Stonewall Kitchen Roasted Garlic Aioli
Photo Courtesy of Amazon's Affiliate Program.

Even products on stores' shelves are misleading. When I typed "aioli" into Amazon's search engine, Stonewall Kitchen Roasted Garlic Aioli was the first product to pop up.

Terrapin Farms Avocado Aioli
Photo Courtesy of Amazon's Affiliate Program.

Yet, the first two ingredients listed are Canola Oil and "Whole Salted Eggs." Several other aioli products appeared which either listed eggs or didn't list ingredients on their Amazon page. 

It wasn't until I typed "vegan aioli" that I found Terrapin Farms Avocado Aioli, which fit the definition of aioli. Other products fit the definition, but were calling themselves "Vegan Mayonnaise," which isn't actually a thing.

Many diners won't ask questions about the food they’re ordering for fear looking stupid and/or annoying.  Likewise, a good number of shoppers don't stop to read the backs of jars because they’re in a hurry. 

When you're ordering food, in a restaurant BE ANNOYING!  When you're shopping for groceries READ THE LABELS!  It’s the food you're going to eat.   Shows on Food Network are usually pretty reliable sources of information. When even they’re mislabeling one as the other, you have a right to know everything about your food before you put it in your mouth.