Dreaming about the Spicy Mayo you love at the sushi place? Well, this Spicy Mayo Recipe and Video is just what you’re looking for! Perfect for Sushi, burgers, dipping and more!
We LOVE Spicy Mayo. Like love it. I always have a jar of it in my fridge. Always. Spicy mayo is one of the most searched sauces in the world because it’s creamy, spicy, slightly tangy, and endlessly versatile.
From sushi rolls to burgers, rice bowls, tacos, Sweet Potato fries, and sandwiches, it delivers bold flavor with minimal effort. But not all spicy mayo is equal.
What Is Spicy Mayo?
Spicy mayo (spicy mayonnaise) is a creamy sauce made by combining mayonnaise with a chili based heat source, most commonly Sriracha hot sauce or chili paste. It’s used as a flavor enhancer, not just a condiment.
At its simplest: Mayonnaise + Heat + Acid (optional) + Sweetness (optional). Spicy mayo doesn’t come from one single culture, it evolved as a fusion sauce.
1. Japanese-American Influence
The rise of sushi restaurants outside Japan popularized spicy mayo made with Japanese mayonnaise and chili sauce. Brands like Kewpie mayonnaise became central to this style.
2. American Diner & Fast Food Culture
Chefs began mixing mayo with hot sauce (like buffalo sauce) for sandwiches and fries.
3. Modern Global Fusion
It’s now the perfect sauce to make for sushi or any seafood. To be honest, we love it with grilled seafood so much, not just raw sushi.
Another favorite way to use this spicy mayo recipe is to slather on your burger buns. It’s such a good burger sauce! Use it as a dip. It’s the best dipping sauce with fries or veggies. Some uses are:
- Sushi Bake, Sushi Cake, Sushi Burrito
- Poke bowls, Sushi Bowl
- Burgers,
- Tacos, Air Fryer Frozen French Fries, Truffle Fries
- Fried chicken sandwiches
Why You’ll Love Homemade Spicy Mayo
- 5 minute sauce made with simple and basic ingredients
- No cooking required (unless making mayo from scratch)
- Customizable heat level
- Works with seafood, meat, vegetables
- Family friendly and adjustable
- Restaurant quality results at home
What Does Spicy mayo Taste Like
- Creamy
- Tangy
- Slightly sweet (if balanced properly)
- Smooth heat
- It should taste balanced, not just spicy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Mayonnaise (You could also use a vegan alternative for a vegan spicy mayo). When it comes to Mayo:
- Choose full fat for best texture.
- Japanese mayo (like Kewpie) is richer due to egg yolks and rice vinegar.
- Avoid low fat versions because they separate more easily.
- Sriracha Sauce (use a good quality Sriracha because it will show on your sauce). Often Sriracha makes this sauce called Sriracha mayo, but it isn’t the same. Other hot sauce alternatives:
- Chili garlic sauce
- Gochujang
- Chipotle in adobo
- Cayenne or chili flakes with hot sauce
- Harissa which makes this phenomenon Harissa Aioli
- Rice Vinegar: Acid is crucial to the sauce, you can use lemon juice or lime juice too.
- Water is optional if you like a thinner sauce.
- Sweetness (optional): Honey, Sugar or Maple syrup
- Flavor Enhancers (optional): Garlic, Smoked paprika, Sesame oil and Soy sauce
How to Make Spicy Mayo Sauce
In a small bowl, you’ll start with the mayo. Next, you’ll add the Sriracha sauce and vinegar and mix well.
The amount of Sriracha you’ll add here will probably depend on how spicy you can go. However keep in mind that the Sriracha sauce is very powerful in terms of flavor and can over power the mayo sauce.
So if you want the classic spicy mayonnaise sauce, don’t be tempted to add more Sriracha.
Speaking of flavor, I often find adding a touch of other non traditional ingredients can kick up the sauce tremendously.
Variations include adding:
- Soy Sauce
- Sesame Oil
- Chilli sauce
- Lime Juice
- Salt
- Chinese Spice
- Chilli powder
- Cayenne pepper
- garlic powder
While these may not all sound super traditional to the simple classic spicy mayo, they often add a unique taste which you’ll love! I rarely however add all of these at the same time.
Often times I’ll add a touch of soy sauce and sesame oil. Other times, I may add lime juice and sesame oil. Or chilli sauce and soy sauce only. Or lime juice and spice. Either way, the sauce tastes utterly delicious!
Expert Tips For Spicy Mayo
- Start with quality Mayonnaise and quality Sriracha Sauce
- Feel free to try the variations on the spicy mayonnaise, they are so delicious!
- Best way to use the sauce is of course to use spicy mayo for sushi!Or with those easy sushi stacks, or this crowd pleaser Sushi Burrito!
- Use it as a dipping sauce or burger sauce or for poke bowls and more!
- If you prefer a thinner sauce, simply dilute it with some water. It won’t affect the taste of your sauce, but it will adjust the consistency.
- Always add chili sauce slowly, it’s easier to increase heat than fix it
- For ultra smooth texture, whisk instead of stirring.
- For piping consistency (sushi drizzle), thin with a few drops of water or rice vinegar.
Guess what? You can make your own Mayo at home with this Homemade Mayo Recipe by The Endless Meal! MUST try!
Spicy Mayo Variations
- Sushi Spicy Mayo: Japanese mayo + sriracha + rice vinegar
- Chipotle Spicy Mayo: Mayo + blended chipotle peppers
- Garlic Spicy Mayo: Fresh grated garlic + chili sauce
- Gochujang Mayo: Mayo + Korean chili paste + honey
- Vegan Spicy Mayo: Plant based mayo + chili sauce
- Low Carb / Keto Version: Full fat mayo + sugar free hot sauce
Why is my spicy mayo too thin?
You added too much liquid chili sauce. Fix by adding more mayo.
Why does it taste too spicy?
Add more mayo or a small amount of honey.
Why is it bland?
Add salt or acid (lemon/vinegar).
Why did it separate?
Rare unless homemade mayo was unstable. Re whisk and chill.
Why does it taste bitter?
Too much raw garlic or low quality chili paste.
Storage
- Store in airtight container in the refrigerator in a mason jar.
- Best used within 3–5 days.
- Do not leave at room temperature over 2 hours.
Can You Freeze It?
No. Mayo emulsions break when frozen.
Reheating?
Not recommended. It’s a cold sauce.
Is spicy mayo safe during pregnancy?
Yes if made with pasteurized eggs (most store bought mayo is pasteurized).
Does spicy mayo go bad quickly?
Yes , refrigerate and consume within a few days.
Can spicy mayo sit out?
No longer than 2 hours at room temperature.
Is spicy mayo very spicy?
It depends on the chili used and ratio.
How do you make it less spicy?
Add more mayo or sweetener.
Can I make it smoky?
Use chipotle peppers.
How long does spicy mayo last?
3–5 days refrigerated.
How long should it chill?
10–30 minutes improves flavor.
Spicy Recipes
- Chicken Sliders
- Harissa Vinaigrette
- Ramen Bowl
- Spicy Sweet Sriracha Mango Chicken Sandwich
- Korean Fried Chicken Strips
- Spicy Chunky Tuna Sandwich
- Sardines On Toast
Sauce Recipes
- Harissa Aioli
- Truffle Aioli
- Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
- Satay Sauce
- Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- Nacho Cheese Sauce Recipe
- Garlic Sauce
- Tahini Sauce
- Hot Pepper Sauce
Spicy Mayo
Ingredients
- 2 cups Mayonnaise
- 3 - 4 Tablespoons Sriracha Sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon water to thin it out optional
- Optional Add ons use either or a combo of those
- 1 teaspoon Soy Sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Sesame Oi
- 2 teaspoons Chilli sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Lime Juice
- pinch salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Chinese Spice
- 1/4 teaspoon Chilli powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
-
In a small bowl, Mix all ingredients together for the sauce and thin it out with water if desired. To flavor up the spicy mayo and use it in ways other than sushi, feel free to add some of the add ons for extra flavor.
-
Store the sauce in the fridge for up to a month. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Expert Tips For Spicy Mayo
- Start with quality Mayonnaise and quality Sriracha Sauce
- Feel free to try the variations on the spicy mayonnaise, they are so delicious!
- Best way to use the sauce is of course to use spicy mayo for sushi!Or with those easy sushi stacks, or this crowd pleaser Sushi Burrito!
- Use it as a dipping sauce or burger sauce or for poke bowls and more!
- If you prefer a thinner sauce, simply dilute it with some water. It won’t affect the taste of your sauce, but it will adjust the consistency.
- Always add chili sauce slowly, it's easier to increase heat than fix it
- For ultra smooth texture, whisk instead of stirring.
- For piping consistency (sushi drizzle), thin with a few drops of water or rice vinegar.
Guess what? You can make your own Mayo at home with this Homemade Mayo Recipe by The Endless Meal! MUST try!
Spicy Mayo Variations
- Sushi Spicy Mayo: Japanese mayo + sriracha + rice vinegar
- Chipotle Spicy Mayo: Mayo + blended chipotle peppers
- Garlic Spicy Mayo: Fresh grated garlic + chili sauce
- Gochujang Mayo: Mayo + Korean chili paste + honey
- Vegan Spicy Mayo: Plant based mayo + chili sauce
- Low Carb / Keto Version: Full fat mayo + sugar free hot sauce
Why is my spicy mayo too thin?
You added too much liquid chili sauce. Fix by adding more mayo.
Why does it taste too spicy?
Add more mayo or a small amount of honey.
Why is it bland?
Add salt or acid (lemon/vinegar).
Why did it separate?
Rare unless homemade mayo was unstable. Re whisk and chill.
Why does it taste bitter?
Too much raw garlic or low quality chili paste.
Storage
- Store in airtight container in the refrigerator in a mason jar.
- Best used within 3–5 days.
- Do not leave at room temperature over 2 hours.
Can You Freeze It?
No. Mayo emulsions break when frozen.
Reheating?
Not recommended. It’s a cold sauce.
Is spicy mayo safe during pregnancy?
Yes if made with pasteurized eggs (most store bought mayo is pasteurized).
Does spicy mayo go bad quickly?
Yes , refrigerate and consume within a few days.
Can spicy mayo sit out?
No longer than 2 hours at room temperature.
Is spicy mayo very spicy?
It depends on the chili used and ratio.
How do you make it less spicy?
Add more mayo or sweetener.
Can I make it smoky?
Use chipotle peppers.
How long does spicy mayo last?
3–5 days refrigerated.
How long should it chill?
10–30 minutes improves flavor.
Love how easy this spicy mayo is to make and that it is adaptable too all levels of spiciness!
Seriously easy and versatile!
I think I’ve found my winning mayonnaise recipe, so easy and so good! Thanks for sharing.
It’s super versatile as well!
This is one tasty mayo. Great with chicken in a sandwich with crispy lettuce.
Oh yes totally versatile!!
I love a good mayo and this homemade spicy mayo looks delicious and perfect for burgers!
Absolutely
What a perfect and versatile condiment. I’m already thinking of foods I want to put this on.
We use it on just about everything Andrea !