What Is Mayonnaise and How Can I Use It?

If mayonnaise has turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use it with confidence and how to choose it, cook it, store it, what to substitute, and 961 recipes to try it in.

What is mayonnaise?

Mayonnaise (sometimes abbreviated to its slang "mayo) is an emulsion of oil, egg yolk and either vinegar or lemon juice, with many options for embellishment with other herbs and spices.

Lecithin in the egg yolk is the emulsifier. It is often cream in color, and may be anything in texture from that of light running cream to thick.

Mayonnaise can be made by hand with a mortar and pestle, whisk or fork, or with the aid of an electric mixer, an electric blender, or a food processor.

Mayonnaise is made by slowly adding oil to an egg yolk, while whisking vigorously to disperse the oil. The oil and the water in yolks form a base of the emulsion, while the lecithin from the yolks is the emulsifier that stabilizes it.

Additionally, a bit of a mustard may also be added to sharpen its taste, and further stabilize the emulsion. Mustard contains small amounts of lecithin.

It is a process that requires watching; if the liquid starts to separate and look like pack-ice, or curd, it simply requires starting again with an egg yolk, whisk it, slowly add the curd while whisking, and it will emulsify to be mayonnaise.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 tablespoon (14g)

Amount per Serving

Calories 54Calories from Fat 42

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 4.7g 7%

Saturated Fat 0.7g 3%

Trans Fat ~

Cholesterol 3mg 1%

Sodium 99mg 4%

Total Carbohydrate 3.3g 1%

Dietary Fiber 0g 0%

Sugars 0.9

Protein 0.1g

Vitamin A 1% Vitamin C 0%

Calcium 0% • Iron 0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your caloric needs.

recipeland.com/nutrition

Where found

Mayonnaise is usually found in the salad dressings section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group

Mayonnaise is a member of the Fats and Oils US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

How much does mayonnaise weigh?

Amount	Weight
1 tablespoon	14 grams
1 cup	235 grams

Fats and Oils

Lard 348 Mayonnaise 961 Salad dressing, mayonnaise style 49 Salad dressing, italian, low-fat 30 Peanut oil 594 Olive oil 6038 Olive oil, extra-virgin 1186 Sesame oil 1030 Sunflower oil 111 Salad dressing 65

In Chinese:	蛋黄酱
British (UK) term:
en français:	mayonnaise
en español:	mayonesa

Recipes using mayonnaise

There are 961 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Turkey Bacon Burgers

Juicy turkey burgers with raw bacon ground into the patty, sage, and sautéed mushrooms on top. Pan-cooked in butter, the leanness of turkey paired with the richness of bacon.

Lamb Cheeseburgers

Lamb cheeseburgers ground at home with bacon and topped with melted Roquefort blue cheese. A grown-up burger upgrade with rich, gamey lamb and salty smoke from the bacon blend.

Chipotle Mayonnaise

Creamy, smoky chipotle mayonnaise made with just 4 ingredients: mayo, sour cream, canned chipotles in adobo, and oregano. The ultimate spicy condiment for burgers, tacos, fries, and more.

Double Decker Hamburger

Big Mac copycat double decker hamburger with two thin smashed patties, special sauce, shredded lettuce, and American cheese. Includes the homemade hamburger sauce that nails the fast-food flavor at home.

Favorite Tuna Salad

Classic tuna salad mixes canned tuna with celery, onion, garlic, parsley, and lemon juice in a creamy mayo base. The simple deli-style sandwich filling done right.

Classic Tuna Salad

Classic tuna salad with crunchy celery and onion, creamy mayo, tangy dry mustard, and a touch of sweet relish. The quick, crowd-pleasing filling for sandwiches, wraps, or crackers.

Amazing Egg Salad Sandwiches

Learn the secrets of perfecting egg salad by employing some simple cooking techniques. A classic quick and easy egg salad recipe that balances simple elements into an improved timeless classic.

Favourite Guacamole

Easy guacamole with ripe avocados, green chilies, tomato, onion and a splash of Worcestershire. Smooth, tangy, ready in 15 minutes for tortilla chips and tacos.

Double Decker Burgers

Double-decker cheeseburgers stack two thin beef patties with a tangy cheddar-mayo-mustard-relish spread between them. The homemade Big Mac alternative made with real ingredients.

Deli Seafood Sandwich

Quick, easy and classically delicious. Tender crab with cruchy celery and a bit of onions enveloped in creamy mayonnaise on a sandwich roll.

Artichoke Spinach Dip

I got this recipe from a friend I used to work with. It is so good!

Hot Guacamole Dip

Spicy pureed guacamole dip with green chiles, hot sauce, and a splash of mayo for creamy richness. Made in a blender, chilled, and served with artichoke hearts or chips.

Bistro Cheeseburger

Grilled cheeseburger with melted Swiss, charred Vidalia onions, and Dijon mayonnaise on toasted crusty bread. A French-bistro spin on the American classic.

Sosa's Lobster or Lobsta Roll

Simple and delicious, especially if the “lobsta” is at 5.99 per lb. like it is in MA. right now

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Make a quick lunch a delicious one with these sandwiches that are easy to make!

Bacon, Egg & Tomato Salad Sandwiches

A quick, easy and delicious way to prepare some delicious sandwiches for your family.

Jalepeno-Cheese Dip - Texas Style

A cheesy but spicy dip that has a zing that's perfect for tortilla chips!

Waldorf Salad

My slightly sweet version of a classic.

Quick Rémoulade (Creole Tartar Sauce)

This vibrant Creole-style rémoulade sauce, a zesty twist on tartar sauce, boasts bold flavors from whole-grain mustard, tangy pickles, and a kick of cayenne. Perfect for crab cakes, shrimp, or any fish dish, it’s a versatile condiment that elevates seafood with its creamy, spicy profile.