This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
Learn how to make spicy mayo at home with just three simple ingredients. Ready in less than 5 minutes, it’s creamy, tangy, and with the perfect amount of heat!
Move over, mayonnaise. A new condiment is in town, and it’s ready to take your crown. If you love the creamy and tangy spread, prepare to take it up a notch with spicy mayo recipe.
Table of Contents
Why this recipe works
- Simple ingredients. No hard-to-find ingredients are used. You probably have them in your pantry right this second!
- Quick and easy. Ready in under two minutes; there is no excuse not to make it.
- Easy to customize. With a few simple tweaks, you can make this condiment work for you!
- Perfect flavor and texture. It’s creamy, sweet, spicy, and has a pleasant tang.
What we love about this recipe is how easy it is to make at home! Sure, you can buy bottled stuff at the grocery stores, but this is much cheaper, more delicious, and uses a fraction of the ingredients!
What is spicy mayo?
Also known as sriracha mayo, the spicy version has the same texture as traditional mayonnaise but with a spicy kick. Oh, and it’s also pink in color.
It’s become one of the world’s favorite condiments, used as a dipping sauce, sandwich spread, or in addition to sushi (try it in an Alaska or dragon roll!).
Ingredients needed
As mentioned earlier, you’ll need just four simple ingredients to make this sriracha mayo recipe. Here is what you’ll need:
- Mayonnaise – Choose a whole egg and full-fat mayonnaise for the ultra creaminess. If you’d like something a little more unique, try using Japanese mayo (kewpie mayo).
Ingredient swap
Not a fan of mayonnaise? You can substitute it with Greek yogurt or sour cream.
- Sriracha – The more authentic chili sauce, but feel free to use whatever you have. More hot sauce ideas include Chalula or Frank’s hot sauce.
- Fresh Lemon juice – To balance out the richness. Swap it out for lime juice or vinegar if you’d prefer.
- Pepper- Optional.
How to make spicy mayo
Combine: Mix together all the ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
Store and serve: Transfer the sauce into a sealable container or serving dish and enjoy.
Tips to make the best recipe
Choose the right mayo: Use a high-quality mayonnaise as the base. I like either a homemade or store-bought one that uses egg yolks in the ingredients. Avoid low fat mayonnaise as it doesn’t have the creaminess or thickness.
Adjust the heat level: The spiciness of your mayo will depend on the type and amount of chili sauce or hot sauce you add. Start with a small amount and gradually increase it to achieve your desired level of heat. As someone who is a spice fanatic, I tend to go heavy handed!
Experiment with chili sauce: While sriracha is most commonly used, try other kinds of hot sauce like tabasco, Cholula, or sambal oelek (an Indonesian-style chili sauce).
Balance the flavors: Spicy mayo should have a balance of heat, creaminess, and tanginess. It’s a good idea to keep the acidic element too. We used lemon juice, but lime juice or vinegar works well too.
Mix it well: Always use a whisk to combine the ingredients so there are no clumps or random spots of chili.
Let it rest: Refrigerate the spicy mayonnaise for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to to meld together.
Ways to use sriracha mayo
This truly is a sauce of all trades and works well in almost anything. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Dipping sauce. Like our fry dipping sauce, it works well for sweet potato fries, French fries, zucchini fries, and even potato wedges.
- Sandwiches. Spicy mayonnaise also works well as a sandwich spread, and we love to add a kick to our spicy chicken sandwich, meatball sub, or even chopped cheese.
- Salad dressing. You can also thin it with water or milk to make a salad dressing. It would be a fabulous creamy element in an orzo or green goddess salad.
- Protein topping. Of course, the best way to use it is to drizzle it over simple proteins, like chicken breast or salmon, to take it up a notch.
- Burgers. Pair it with some big mac sauce and add it to a wagyu burger, lamb burger, or shrimp burger.
Storage instructions
To store: Place leftovers in a shallow container and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.
To freeze: Freezing spicy mayo isn’t recommended because the texture is ruined after defrosting.
More delicious sauces to try
Frequently asked questions
Spicy mayo has a similar nutritional profile to traditional mayo. Both are high in fat and calories and should be enjoyed in moderation.
One tablespoon of mayonnaise has 57 calories.
Spicy Mayo (3 Ingredients)
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sriracha or any chili sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until combined.
- Transfer to a serving bowl or refrigerate until ready to serve.
