Spicy Mayo
There’s one question we’ve all been thinking about for ages — why is spicy mayo so good? I’ve yet to meet anyone who doesn’t get excited about spicy mayo being listed on a menu or as an option to add to a meal, and for good reason. Spicy mayo is a flavorful, rich, umami-forward sauce that combines a delicious concoction of Asian ingredients to create a balanced condiment perfect for any dish. See our guide below for crafting the perfect spicy mayo and for flavorful ideas on how to use this sauce or jazz it up even further.
How to use spicy mayo? The possibilities are truly endless for how to use spicy mayo! It’s such a flavorful, tasty condiment that it works well on almost any dish you pair it with. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use spicy mayo:
Drizzle spicy mayo on a salmon bowl using our honey-glazed salmon recipe. I also recommend adding our spicy smashed cucumber salad and pickled red onions to the bowl alongside fresh rice.
Dip french fries in spicy mayo. Even though spicy mayo is typically a condiment served with Asian dishes, its amazing umami flavor is perfect to pair with something crispy and salty such as french fries.
Use it as a dressing on an Asian-inspired lettuce wrap. The richness in this spicy mayo complements the components of fresh chicken lettuce wraps wonderfully. See our recipe for Thai chicken lettuce wraps for recipe inspiration.
Can you make spicy mayo in advance? You can make spicy mayo in advance. I recommend making spicy mayo no more than 3 days in advance of using it and storing it in an air-tight container in the fridge so that it stays as fresh as possible. There aren’t any flavor benefits from making it ahead of time, so for best results, aim to make it fresh every time.
How long is spicy mayo good for? Spicy mayo lasts if stored properly in the fridge for up to 3 days. By making it no more than 3 days in advance you’re ensuring you have the freshest, best-tasting spicy mayo possible.
What is the best kind of mayo to use for spicy mayo? You can use any kind of mayo to create this spicy mayonnaise. This recipe is structured so that any kind of mayo can be used without worrying about not getting the full flavor you’re looking for in a spicy mayo. The only “bonus points” you’ll get from me here is if you use a Japanese mayonnaise such as Kewpie. Japanese mayos use only egg yolks instead of whole eggs like in American mayos, giving the sauce a super rich flavor that compliments the other ingredients perfectly. If you can’t find Japanese mayo, no problem! The recipe will still turn out delicious.
Here are some recipe spins you can make for this spicy mayo:
Use gochujang instead of sriracha. Gochujang is a spicy, fermented red pepper paste typically used in Korean cuisine. It has a funky, rich, and spicy flavor that pairs perfectly with the rest of the ingredients in spicy mayo.
Add a teaspoon of chili oil or chili crisp to this spicy mayo recipe. Chili oil and chili crisp are delicious, luscious condiments often used throughout Asian cooking, and for good reason! They both add a fatty, rich element that seamlessly mixes in with this spicy mayo recipe. Making this addition to the recipe will give you an added depth of chili flavor in the sauce that is delicious on any meal.
Add a teaspoon of fresh ginger to this spicy mayo recipe. Freshly grated ginger is a delicious component to any dish in our eyes, and the bright, zestiness of ginger packs a flavorful punch when added to spicy mayo. A little goes a long way here, so use restraint when adding this powerful ingredient and you’ll see delicious results.
Grate a garlic clove to create a spicy aioli. By definition, aiolis are essentially mayonnaise with garlic added to it, and there’s no shame in creating the same addition here for added flavor! Adding just one garlic clove grated into this spicy mayo recipe deepens the flavor and adds a zing that’s incredibly tasty. Similarly to the recommendations when adding ginger to this sauce, use caution here as just one garlic clove can pack some serious flavor.
How to make spicy mayo:
Spicy Mayo
This spicy mayo sauce is the perfect thing to drizzle on your favorite meals to add spice, richness, and tons of umami flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp mayo
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame sauce
- 2 tbsp sriracha
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions
- Easy peasy — measure out all of the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk thoroughly until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Serve over your favorite salads, bowls, sandwiches, or anything else!
Notes
Tip - Don’t skip using a whisk to combine this sauce. It takes quite a bit of thorough mixing to achieve the silky texture you’re looking for, but it’s worth the effort.
