This delicious spicy mayo recipe is so easy and quick to make; you never have to buy store-bought mayonnaise again. Read on to learn how to make spicy mayo!
This easy spicy mayo recipe uses only six main ingredients and is literally in two minutes. Talk about a quick and easy sauce! I also love that it is low carb and keto-friendly.
When I need to snack between meals, I like to reach for a few of my favorite veggie snacks - air fryer broccoli or roasted turmeric cauliflower.
In the past, I would grab my store-bought mayo and try to combine mayonnaise with pepper for a quick and easy dipping sauce. The only problem was that I wasn't fond of the taste of the store-bought mayonnaise as it was always just a bit salty.
Also, my pepper would not mix in evenly, and some parts were a little too spicy. Ouch!
So I started making my own spicy mayo. I did some research and was mind blown by how easy it was to make and easily adaptable.
Depending on my mood, I could go crazy with my spicy mayonnaise and make it hot or make it just a bit mild. I could add garlic powder or experiment with different herbs.
The versatile nature of this creamy mayo makes it a win-win in my books. And it is always guaranteed fresh because it does not last more than a week in my fridge.
If you miss your spicy mayo from your favorite sushi restaurants, then this recipe is for you. Read on for the ultimate guide on how to make your own spicy mayo!
And, if you want a sweeter dressing, try this sweet homemade mayonnaise dressing. It's so good!
Why should I make my own mayonnaise?
Here are some great reasons:
- It tastes so much better than mayo from grocery stores.
- It is so versatile, and you can easily customize it to your liking.
- The store-bought version has soybean oil, sometimes sugar, and quite a few preservatives.
- At zero carbs, it is very healthy and perfectly fits a low-carb lifestyle.
- It is such an easy recipe, and you can say goodbye to last-minute store runs when you run out of mayo!
Is there a salmonella risk from homemade mayonnaise?
Because I use raw eggs in this recipe, there is always a warning about salmonella risk. However, salmonella in eggs is extremely rare (about 1 in 20,000), and I have used this recipe several times just fine.
If you like runny eggs, the risk is about the same because the yolks are undercooked. But there's an ingredient in this recipe that further reduces this risk: vinegar.
The acidity in the vinegar creates a hostile environment for harmful bacteria, which slows down or prevents its growth. But if you want to be extra careful, use organic eggs from free-range chickens or pasteurized eggs.
Ingredient Checklist
I make spicy mayo using a few simple ingredients you most likely already have in your pantry. Here are the basic ingredients:
- Olive oil: This forms the base of the mayonnaise.
- Large egg: This helps the ingredients bind well together.
- Cayenne pepper: For just a touch of heat.
- Dijon mustard: This recipe calls for dijon mustard, but you can use yellow mustard if that's what you have on hand. Dijon mustard is slightly spicier, while yellow mustard is milder and a bit sour.
- Apple cider vinegar: I use apple cider vinegar, but you can also use white vinegar.
- Salt to taste.
What Equipment do I need?
For this homemade spicy mayo recipe, I use an immersion blender. I found out through trial and error that it produces the most consistent result.
You can use a traditional blender, but the instructions are slightly different. I have a pretty sizeable regular blender, and it is always a hassle trying to scrape a small quantity of sauce from a large appliance.
You could use a whisk and manually blend the mayonnaise for a vigorous arm workout, but this will take some time.
My favorite way by far is using the immersion blender. A popular brand is the KitchenAid 3-Speed Hand Blender.
I would recommend using a mason jar for this recipe for easier cleanup. You can store your mayonnaise in it without the need to transfer it to another container. This kitchen tool should be a valuable addition to your kitchen arsenal.
How To Make Spicy Mayo
- Make sure the egg is at room temperature. If not, dip it in water for a few minutes.
- Add the egg, salt, cayenne pepper, vinegar, and mustard in a mason jar, then add the oil last. You can also add garlic powder or herbs if you like.
- Insert the immersion blender into the jar, move it to the bottom, and turn it to high speed. Keep it still, and in about 20 seconds, you will notice a thick, creamy vortex begin to rise to the top slowly.
- Move the blender up slowly until all the oil is emulsified, never taking it completely out of the mixture. In about a minute, you will have a perfect, blended consistency.
Make Spicy Mayo In A Regular Blender
To use a regular blender, put in all the ingredients, except oil, and very slowly drip in the oil as you blend. I mean, very, very slowly.
Doing it this way will take about a minute. You might have to double the recipe, or else the blender blade might not mix it properly.
How to store
I like to make a big batch of this spicy mayo sauce recipe and store it in small batches in the refrigerator. It is best to use wide-mouth mason jars for this, so it's easy to scoop out. But you can use any airtight container of your choice.
Don't freeze this spicy mayo, as it will separate and appear curdled if you do.
Tips and Variations
- Don't omit mustard in this recipe because, in addition to eggs, it acts as an emulsifier and stabilizer, which helps bind ingredients that usually don't mix well together, like oil and vinegar. Without this, the ingredients will separate and not stick together.
- You can substitute olive oil with avocado oil, sesame oil, or other neutral-flavored oil.
- Depending on the level of heat you're going for, you can use black pepper, sriracha sauce, or your favorite chili sauce. In other words, use any type of hot sauce you want!
- You can leave out the egg for a vegan mayo recipe.
- Add a little lime juice or lemon juice for a tangy flavor.
- If you need plain mayo, try this keto mayonnaise recipe.
What do I eat with Spicy Mayo?
This spicy sauce is a perfect addition to my salads as I like them slightly spicy. I like to use it for my keto coleslaw or cauliflower potato salad. It really takes it to the next level!
You can also use spicy mayo as a dipping sauce for your favorite veggies like this air fryer broccoli, air fryer buffalo cauliflower, or instant pot asparagus.
Enjoy these delicious low carb dishes with this spicy mayo!
Need more dinner recipes? Enjoy these delicious low-carb main dishes!
📖 Recipe
Spicy Mayo Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil you can substitute with avocado oil
- 1 egg room temperature
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add the egg, salt, cayenne pepper, vinegar and mustard into a mason jar. You can optionally add garlic powder or herbs.
- Add the oil last.
- Insert the immersion blender into the jar and move it all the way to the bottom and turn on high.
- Keep it still for about 20 seconds, till a creamy vortex begins to rise.
- Move the blender up slowly till all the oil has been emulsified, never taking it completely out of the mixture.
Notes
- Don't omit mustard in this recipe because, in addition to eggs, it acts as an emulsifier and stabilizer, which helps bind ingredients that usually don't mix well together, like oil and vinegar. Without this, the ingredients will separate and not stick together.
- You can substitute olive oil with avocado oil, sesame oil, or other neutral-flavored oil.
- Depending on the level of heat you're going for, you can use black pepper, sriracha sauce, or your favorite chili sauce. In other words, use any type of hot sauce you want!
- You can leave out the egg for a vegan mayo recipe.
- Add a little lime juice or lemon juice for a tangy flavor.
- If you need plain mayo, try this keto mayonnaise recipe.
Nutrition
Check out these low carb sauces and condiments!
suresh says
Thanks for this useful informative blog to sharing step by step.
Lola Osinkolu says
Home-made sauces bring life to the food they're eaten with! This shall surely rock!
Tayo says
Thanks Lola! It does rock 🙂
Tisha says
Spicy mayo sounds like the perfect condiment for a hamburger!!!
Tayo says
Yes it is, Tisha!
Amy | The Cook Report says
I love homemade mayo and a spicy kick is the perfect addition
Tayo says
Thank you, Amy!
Milica Vladova says
Oh, I will definitely try this with avocado oil! Excellent idea, Tayo! <3
Tayo says
Thanks Milica! Let me know how it turns out.
Jacqueline Debono says
I'm a bit of a mayo addict and sometimes make my own. I love the addition of mustard and cayenne pepper in this. Can't wait to try it! Pinning for later!
Tayo says
Thanks Jacqueline!
penelopi says
Super easy! I never made mayo from start!
Tayo says
It's so easy, Penelopi. Let me know how it turns out.
Yemisi says
Hmm hmm hmm, definitely going to try this...
Tayo says
Hope you enjoy it!