A bottle of mayonnaise can be found in an endless number of kitchens around the world. Whether it’s at an a la carte restaurant or a bistro, it’s used in countless cuisines and dishes.
However, what if you wish to take the mayonnaise flavors to the next level, beyond the standard version? Luckily, there are countless mayonnaise types for you to enjoy with different dishes and meals.
Keep reading to learn more about the types of mayonnaise!
What is it?
Mayonnaise is the ultimate pantry condiment that is comprised of lemon juice or vinegar, egg yolks, vegetable oil, and a range of spices. With a creamy and smooth texture and neutral palate, mayonnaise complements countless flavor combinations on the menu.
It is one of the few condiments available in a variety of formats that are tailored to suit varying consumer dietary requirements, including vegan and dairy-free.
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Types of Mayonnaise
There are many mayonnaise types available, from whole egg varieties to light, eggless versions, there is a mayo for every occasion. The greatest aspect of mayonnaise is remaining flavor neutral and being a staple in the kitchen.
The following highlights the varieties of mayonnaise, but don’t limit your creativity to these versions, the sky’s the limit!
1. BBQ
While BBQ sauce is found on baskets at buffets, cafes, bars, and restaurants, you never see BBQ mayonnaise. Why it’s the best of both worlds? This combination is ideal for red meat offerings since the BBQ sauce released a smokey flavor element.
To create this mayonnaise gem, pan fry a Spanish onion, add brown sugar for caramelization, then blend the onions with the mayo to form a paste. Finally, combine it with BBQ sauce for the next amazing condiment on your table.
2. Celeriac Slaw
This is a heartier mayo version than others on the list and makes an excellent addition to any dish. The slaw is created by combining lemon juice, celeriac, dill, chives, fresh herbs, and mayo. To maximize this flavor, all ingredients are well-combined.
3. Chimichurri
Chimichurri is a popular South American condiment found on the tables of most restaurants. Chimichurri mayo is the ideal addition to a steak sandwich or dish. To create this flavorful sauce, blend salt, pepper, chili flakes, oregano, apple cider vinegar, and parsley into a paste.
Next, stir it with olive oil and mayonnaise until well blended.
4. Chipotle
Chipotle sauce is growing in popularity due to the natural smokiness derived from chipotle peppers. Therefore, combining it with mayo creates an excellent sauce for chicken wraps, grille steak sandwiches, tacos, burritos, and even eggs.
To make this sauce, blend chipotle chilis, brown sugar, and lime juice then season to taste and mix with mayo.
5. Citrus and Honey
While mayo is typically considered a savory offering, the best aspect of this condiment is it can be improved with a variety of sweet ingredients. Enter citrus and honey mayo, which are rarely found on restaurant menus or in kitchens.
To make this masterpiece, grated lemon zest, and lime, combine it with lemon juice, scoop in mayo and finish it with a scoop of honey the whisk. As you’re whisking, make sure to add a little sea salt to further develop the flavor.
6. Harissa
Take a trip to North Africa with harissa mayo, which is a combination of three ingredients: mayonnaise, harissa paste, and lemon juice. Just combine the ingredients to create a thick sauce before spreading it on your sandwich, eggs, or meats. If you’re looking to cook a Moroccan lamb sandwich, then this sauce is a must.
7. Herbed
Herbed mayonnaise is a favorite and deserves a place in all our kitchens. This is where your creativity can enter. Try different combinations of herb blends with your mayo base to create artful sauces that can go with different dishes.
Popular combinations include basil and chives, dill and parsley, rosemary, oregano, and fennel; the options are truly endless!
8. Korean
This Korean-inspired mayonnaise variant follows the popular Asian-fusion trend that isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. I’ve added this twist to my kitchen to spruce up a variety of foods including burgers and fried chicken.
To create this mayo, combine Gochu Jang, a Korean paste, Kimchi juice, and mayo. These ingredients are available at your local Asian grocery store or can be purchased online.
9. Ouzo
Take your wraps to the next level with punchy ouzo mayonnaise. Utilizing high-quality mayo combined with the Greek spirit ouzo and a little crushed garlic will have your taste buds dancing.
Always taste test this recipe and slowly season it to suit your taste buds before diving right in with the seasoning. The ouzo can become overpowering, which will ruin the dish.
10. Sesame
Sesame mayo is another recipe that’s easy to whip up and an excellent option for any kitchen. Simply combine mayonnaise, sesame oil, and soy sauce, and that’s it. You don’t need to blend any of the ingredients, just whisk in a bowl.
This sauce is a great addition to cold meat wraps and chicken burgers, as well as Asian-influenced foods.
11. Smoked Lemon
Smoking various foods is a growing trend that’s thriving in the hospitality industry and has finally reached the mayonnaise world! Smoked lemon mayonnaise is the ideal condiment for every seafood dish, especially smoked trout.
To make this incredible mayo, you must first smoke the lemon for one hour in a smoker then squeeze the juice and combine it with chopped tarragon and mayonnaise in a bowl.
12. Spicy
Spicy mayonnaise has become an incredibly popular condiment with many restaurants adding it to their sauce options. While buying pre-made spicy mayo is a time-saver, it may not be the most cost-effective, especially since making this variant is easy.
Simply whisk mayonnaise, Tabasco sauce, and Worcestershire sauce and the result is a delicious version of the traditional mayo.
13. Sriracha
Sriracha has quickly become one of the most popular condiments in the world, so why not try it with mayo, another incredibly popular condiment.
This sauce is as simple as combining mayo with sriracha, which can be used as a dipping sauce for fried chicken, nuggets, chips, burgers, or sandwiches, it’s a very versatile sauce.
14. Wasabi and Lime
Wasabi and lime mayo offers a memorable, impactful, and strong flavor combination that keeps us returning for more. This simple recipe involves mixing mayo with wasabi and lime juice until well combined. This recipe is an excellent option for steak, burger, or fried chicken sandwiches.
15. Wattle Seed
Exclusively found in Australia, wattle seeds are healthy seeds added to a variety of foods for their nutritional value and texture. This is probably the easiest recipe on this list since it only requires combining mayo with wattle seeds.
The texture offers a new element to this spread type and can be used on all the same foods as traditional mayo.
Other Mayo Variations
Since there are an endless number of mayo variations, some ideas for your next sauce creation include:
- Capers
- Chopped nuts
- Curry powder
- Jalapenos
- Minced ginger
- Paprika
- Sun-dried tomatoes
All you need to do is select the ingredient that is best for the dishes you’re making and combine it with high-quality mayonnaise.
These flavor customizations will have an amazing impact on any meal you make for yourself, your family, or your customers at a restaurant. Always use seasoning sparingly and remember, you can always add more later.
Brief History
Mayonnaise is considered a French cuisine that is said to have originally appeared in 1806, although its origins are contradictory. Some food experts pinpoint its invention to Mahon, Spain, while others theorize its location being south-western France.
Also, some food experts believe the origins are derived from the ancient remoulade, while others think it’s a cousin of aioli.
During the 18th century, Vincent La Chapelle thought of incorporating velouté, which is based on a mixture of flour and fat (roux) to create a better binding.
In 1742, Francois Marin published Suite des Dons de Comus, a recipe known as beurre de Provence, which is comprised of capers, anchovies, salt, and pepper with garlic gloves cooked in water with all ingredients mixed with oil. This recipe was close to aioli, with an egg yolk appearing later.
In 1806, Andre Viard changed the remoulade recipe by replacing roux with egg yolk. In another recipe, he specifies that the binding is incorporated by adding a small amount of oil while mixing. This is considered the first stable cold emulsified sauce and was the precursor to modern mayonnaise.
FAQs
What is the healthiest mayo to eat?
Canola and olive oil mayonnaise are considered healthier options because they boast heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, but the calories are still the same.
Are there keto-friendly mayonnaise options?
Yes, some brands make their mayonnaise with different oil types like coconut or avocado. However, this changes the taste and may not be appealing to some.
What is the difference between mayonnaise and aioli?
While mayo and aioli are creamy emulsions, aioli is comprised of olive oil and garlic while mayo is made from canola oil and egg yolks. The result often looks similar, but the sauces have different flavors. Mayo is one of those ingredients that can be utilized across so many menu items.
This could be for potato salad, coleslaw, or just for sandwiches and fries. Mayo offers us a non-judgmental blank canvas that can be easily tweaked to perfection and offers the perfect base ingredient for sauces that are sweet, smokey, spicy, or salty, depending on our imaginations.
Many fail to use this staple ingredient to its full potential and are satisfied with just the base. However, there are so many tasty and fresh ingredients to experiment with, customization is right within arms’ reach.
Next time you want to add mayo to a dish, consider how to enhance the flavor profile that best matches the meal and add it to the mayo!