14 Creative Ways to Transform Store-Bought Mayonnaise into Gourmet Delights

Mayonnaise can be a hang-up for some, but many of us adore it. Chef Scott Clark from Dad’s Luncheonette in Half Moon Bay, California, shares the love for mayo, especially when it’s homemade. He co-wrote a cookbook called Coastal: 130 Recipes from a California Roadtrip, where he talks about the magic of mayo. “With our mayonnaise, we create all sorts of dips, dressings, and sauces,” he shares. “We mix in flavors like kimchi, wasabi, and fish sauce. The possibilities are endless!”

Whether you whip up your own mayo or grab a jar from the store, there are plenty of ways to jazz it up. Here are some tasty ideas to elevate your mayo game.

Kimchi Mayo
One of Clark’s top picks is the combo of mayo and kimchi. “It’s a flavor explosion with umami, salinity, and spice,” he says. Look for a kimchi with minimal ingredients — it should be vibrant and bubbling. Simply chop about ¼ cup of kimchi and mix it with one cup of mayo. This mix pairs wonderfully with chicken sandwiches, deviled eggs, and grilled meats.

Sriracha Mayo
A mix of mayo and sriracha creates a spicy, sweet sauce that’s perfect for sandwiches. As Karen Shimizu points out, “This was the secret sauce in my husband’s sandwich shop.” Just combine equal parts for a delicious kick.

Wasabi Mayo
Clark also suggests a mayo and wasabi blend for a zesty twist. He recommends blending ½ cup of mayo with 1½ teaspoons of wasabi and adding salt, pepper, and lemon zest to enhance the flavor. This mayo is excellent with tuna salad or roast beef sandwiches.

Sun-Dried Tomato Mayo
For a richer taste, add sun-dried tomatoes to your mayo. Clark suggests looking for jarred ones that are packed in olive oil. Simply chop them and mix into the mayo for extra flavor in salads or sandwiches.

Ketchup Mayo
Mixing mayonnaise and ketchup is an easy shortcut for Thousand Island dressing. It’s also perfect for dipping fries or adding to burgers.

Lemon Mayo
Zesting and juicing a lemon and mixing it into mayo can brighten any dish. It works especially well with crab cakes.

Yuzu Mayo
Shimizu loves to add yuzu juice to her mayo. Yuzu is a fragrant, citrusy fruit that gives a unique flavor. You can find bottled yuzu juice at Asian grocery stores or online.

Bottarga Mayo
Kat Kinsman finds that adding bottarga, or salted fish roe, gives mayo an extraordinary flavor. It’s a delightful dip that’s different and rich.

Pesto Mayo
Mix jarred pesto with mayo for a creamier condiment. It can elevate a simple tomato sandwich to the next level.

Miso Mayo
Adding white miso paste to mayo can inject a savory umami flavor. Just use a couple of tablespoons for a tasty result.

MSG Mayo
Amelia Schwartz swears by adding MSG for a closer taste to Kewpie mayo, the ultra-popular Japanese version that’s packed with umami flavor. It’s great for adding flavor to rice bowls.

Saffron Lemon Mayo
To mimic the flavors of paella, Chandra Ram adds saffron and lemon juice to mayo. It creates a fresh and aromatic dip.

Nam Prik Phao Mayo
Molly McArdle combines Thai roasted chile jam with mayo for a quick, flavorful topping on rice dishes, keeping cooking to a minimum.

Curry Powder Mayo
Prairie Rose adds curry powder to her mayo for a delicious twist on roasted potatoes. It reminds her of a beloved Brooklyn restaurant that served a curry mayo with fries.

According to recent surveys, many home cooks are interested in making their meals more exciting, and dressing up mayo with unique flavors is an easy way to do just that.

Adding these twists can transform a simple mayo into a condiment with flair. So, the next time you reach for that jar, think outside the box and explore these exciting combinations!

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