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Spicy Mayo Recipe

Make your own seasoned mayo with simple pantry spices like paprika, cayenne pepper for a kick, and more. Use for dipping sauce and whatever else you like.

Seasoned mayo can be used for everything from dips to spreads and more.

Blending spices like paprika, garlic and onion powder kicks up the mayonnaise to make a delicious dip and spread that's amazing with onion rings, burgers, sweet potato fries and anything else you can think of.

Seasoned mayonnaise in a ramekin.

What is spicy mayo? 

Spicy mayo is a condiment made of mayonnaise and spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic and onion powder. It's a great way to take the classic flavor of mayonnaise and give it a flavorful twist.

The amount of heat can be adjusted by adding less or more of the spicy ingredients depending on personal preference. Spicy mayo can be used as a dip for vegetables, chips, fries, and other snacks or it can be used as a spread on sandwiches and wraps for an extra kick of flavor.

Why make spicy mayo?

  • Spicy mayo is a great way to add a zesty kick of flavor to any dish, from sandwiches and burgers to fries and veggie dips. It's also great to use when making homemade Asian cuisine
  • It's simple and quick to make at home with just a few basic ingredients.
  • You can adjust the level of heat by adding more or less of the spicy ingredients, making it customizable for everyone's taste preferences. 
  • This creamy sauce can be used as both a dip and spread, making it versatile for different types of recipes. 
  • It's not overly expensive to make and can be stored in the fridge for up to one week.

Ingredients

Spices and mayonnaise in a bowl.

What is spicy mayo? 

Spicy mayo is a condiment made of mayonnaise and spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic and onion powder. It's a great way to take the classic flavor of mayonnaise and give it a flavorful twist. The amount of heat can be adjusted by adding less or more of the spicy ingredients depending on personal preference. Spicy mayo can be used as a dip for vegetables, chips, fries, and other snacks or it can be used as a spread on sandwiches and wraps for an extra kick of flavor.

Why make spicy mayo?

  • Spicy mayo is a great way to add a zesty kick of flavor to any dish, from sandwiches and burgers to fries and veggie dips. It's also great to use when making homemade Asian cuisine
  • It's simple and quick to make at home with just a few basic ingredients.
  • You can adjust the level of heat by adding more or less of the spicy ingredients, making it customizable for everyone's taste preferences. 
  • This creamy sauce can be used as both a dip and spread, making it versatile for different types of recipes. 
  • It's not overly expensive to make and can be stored in the fridge for up to one week.

How to Make Spicy Mayo

Add ingredients for your spicy sauce in a small mixing bowl and whisk until evenly combined. That's it!

Bowl of homemade seasoned mayonnaise with a whisk.

Storage

To store the spicy mayo, transfer it to an airtight container, like a mason jar, and keep it refrigerated for up to 6 months. 

When you are ready to use it, just give the sauce a good stir. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

The freshly seasoned mayonnaise can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 months, in a tightly sealed container.

Serve the fresh, seasoned mayo as a dipping sauce for your favorite fried foods, or anywhere in place of regular mayonnaise to add additional flavor and zip to your recipes.

You can also try a splash of lime juice if desired. 

ramekin of spicy mayo with a french fry dipped in
How can you make mayonnaise taste better?

Add more acid, like lemon juice or vinegar, and seasonings like the ones in this recipe.

What can I use the spicy mayo for? 

You can use it as a dipping sauce or spread in place of regular mayonnaise to add flavor and zip to your recipes. It's also good with some sushi rolls from your favorite sushi restaurants, added to poke bowls, homemade fried rice, or as a dipping sauce for many Japanese meat choices. Spicy mayonnaise is great drizzled on french fries too!

Is spicy mayo the same as yum yum sauce? 

No, spicy mayonnaise and yum yum sauce are not the same. Yum-yum sauce is a Japanese-style white sauce that's made with Japanese mayonnaise, butter or oil, and some spices.

It has a sweet and mildly tangy flavor that's usually served with hibachi dishes or seafood like shrimp. Spicy mayo is simply mayonnaise mixed with some spices for a nice kick. 

However, we like to use them almost interchangeably, you can use either as you see fit. 

​Do I have to use mayo? 

No, you don't have to use creamy mayo to make spicy mayo. You can substitute Greek yogurt or sour cream for a lighter alternative that still has a great flavor.
However, if you want a traditional spicy mayo flavor, then adding regular mayo is the best way to make it. You can also experiment with different spices to create your own unique taste for your perfect sauce.

Should I use American Mayo or Japanese Mayo for this spicy mayo sauce? 

It depends on what kind of flavor you're looking for. American mayonnaise is usually made with egg yolks, vinegar or lemon juice, mustard and sugar and has a creamy texture.
On the other hand, Japanese mayonnaise is made with apple cider vinegar and often contains additional spices like garlic or ginger that impart a unique flavor.
If you’re looking for a more traditional, milder spicy mayo sauce then American mayo would be the way to go. But if you want something bolder with more depth of flavor then Japanese mayo will not disappoint. Japanese mayo is what is typically used in yumyum sauce. 

Can I use vegan mayo? 

Yes, you can definitely use vegan mayo for the spicy mayo sauce. Vegan mayonnaise is made with plant-based ingredients such as soy milk, olive oil, and spices to create a creamy texture and flavor similar to traditional eggs-based mayonnaise.
It's also a great option for those looking to avoid animal products. The key is to choose one that has a good flavor profile and some spice so that it will still bring out the flavor of your spicy sauce - you'll want something with a little zip to make a vegan friendly, new favorite dipping sauce. 

Making this popular condiment has never been so easy. With just a little tweaking, you can have your favorite new condiment readily available for any recipe needs!

This delicious sauce only takes a few minutes to whip up and is great whenever you want a spicy kick. 

Check out these related recipes below.

If you tried this spicy mayo, leave a rating below in the recipe card.

📖 Recipe

Homemade seasoned mayonnaise in a dish.

Seasoned Mayonnaise

A recipe for seasoning mayonnaise with simple pantry spices to kick up the flavor a bit.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, condiment, dip
Cuisine: American
Keyword: spicy mayo, spicy mayonnaise
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 20 servings
Calories: 54kcal
Author: Erin
Cost: $0.90

Equipment

  • bowl
  • whisk
  • airtight container

Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise Homemade or store bought
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper More or less to taste for heat
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt More or less to taste, or optional. See recipe notes below on sugar and salt content of various mayonnaise.
  • teaspoon sugar See recipe notes below on sugar and salt content of various mayonnaise.
  • 1 teaspoon Worchester sauce optional

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk until combined.
  • Taste test for salt and sugar levels (different brands of mayonnaise and homemade mayonnaise can yield very different levels of sweetness and sodium).
  • Store in an air tight container for up to one month (if using homemade mayonnaise) or date/instructions printed on store bought mayonnaise container.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 54kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 196mg | Potassium: 7mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 52IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg
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