The Difference Between Aioli and Mayo Although aioli and mayonnaise are both creamy emulsions, aioli is made from garlic and olive oil while mayo is made from egg yolks and canola oil. The final result may look similar but the two sauces have distinctly different flavors. Aioli, meaning “garlic oil" in Catalan, is a sauce made by emulsifying mashed garlic with extra virgin olive oil, typically with a mortar and pestle. Mayonnaise or mayo is a sauce made by emulsifying egg yolk, canola oil, lemon juice or vinegar, mustard, and salt with a whisk. The confusion between mayonnaise and aioli comes from the way the word “aioli” is used today. In many establishments, any type of flavored mayo, especially garlic mayo, will be labeled as garlic aioli. Although traditional aioli and modern aioli are not made in the same way, they can be used interchangeably as dips and spreads. There will, however, be variations to the texture and flavor profile between the two condiments.