There was this popular restaurant when I lived in San Antonio called The Cove. I was absolutely OBSESSED with their sweet potato fries. (And even recreated them with these Baked Sweet Potato Fries!)
But honestly, it wasn’t the fries I was in love with. It was the spicy sriracha mayo dipping sauce they served with them!
It was tangy, a little spicy, a tad sweet, and oh-so-creamy.
After years of tweaking and refining the ingredients and ratios, I finally nailed their sauce. The key? You need the right mayo. A hint of acidity. And you MUST use fresh garlic. Oh ya, and it never hurts to let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so those flavors meld together 🙂
I’ll go over all of this with you in detail below!
If you’re looking for another spicy mayo variation, don’t miss this Gochujang Mayo Recipe!
Ingredient Notes
For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card below.
- Sriracha Sauce. This spicy, and a tad sweet!, sauce is the start of the show. You really can’t make sriracha mayo without it. (I do NOT advise subbing with Tobasco or Frank’s Red Hot. They have a totally different heat level and will require very different ratios.)
- Mayo. I’m a Southern girl at heart, so Duke’s mayo is my go-to for this recipe. Helmann’s or even your local grocery store’s brand will also work. However, if you want more of an authentic taste, Kewpie mayo is what most of the Asian restaurants use. (Note: This does contain MSG if you happen to be sensitive!)
- Lemon Juice. Just a hint of fresh lemon juice balances out the richness of the mayonnaise. If you don’t have this on hand, it’s not a big deal if you leave it out.
- Garlic. It may not seem like much, but one small fresh garlic clove really elevates the flavors in this sauce. I use a garlic press to get the pieces super, super fine so they easily mix into the sauce!
How to Make Sriracha Mayo at Home
Please see the recipe card below for more detailed ingredient amounts.
1. Whisk ingredients together.
Add all of the ingredients to a medium bowl or the container you’ll be storing it in. (One less dish!) Whisk it all together, making sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl really well, until it has a consistent light pink color. If there are any white or red streaks remaining, keep on a-whisking!
2. Adjust the spice level.
I like to start with the least amount of sriracha sauce and then add a little more, 1/4 teaspoon at a time, until my desired spice level is reached. You can also add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper for even more heat.
If the sauce is too spicy, add in a little extra mayonnaise to make it milder.
How spicy is sriracha mayo?
Normally it’s a relatively mildly spiced sauce, about a 3 or 4/10 on the spice scale. But what’s so amazing about making it at home, is that you can totally adjust the spice level to your taste preference! Use less sriracha to make it milder, or more for a spicier kick!
How to store sriracha mayo?
Seal the sriracha mayo in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator. If made with fresh garlic it will last for up to 1 week, and up to a month if garlic powder is used.
Can I freeze homemade sriracha mayo?
No, it is not advised since the mayonnaise will separate upon thawing.
Tap stars to rate!
Spicy Sriracha Mayo Recipe
email this recipe!
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sriracha plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice from 1 lemon
- 1 garlic clove finely minced
- Pinch of salt optional
Instructions
- Add the mayonnaise, sriracha, lemon juice, garlic, and salt, if using, to a medium bowl. Whisk until well combined, taking care to scrape the ingredients from the bottom of the bowl as you go.½ cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon sriracha, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 garlic clove, Pinch of salt
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Tap stars to rate!
Video
Notes
- Yield: This recipe makes about ½ cup of sauce, or 8 tablespoons.
- Mayo: Duke’s or Helmann’s mayonnaise are great options. If you want it to taste more authentic, use Kewpie mayo.
- Garlic: I use a garlic press to get the pieces super, super fine so they easily mix into the sauce!
- Spice level: This sauce is about a 3-4 out of 10 on the spicy scale when 1 tablespoon of Sriracha sauce is used. If you want it spicier, add more, 1/4 teaspoon at a time, or add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Do not freeze as the mayonnaise will separate upon thawing.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
All the Ways to Serve it Up!
The real question should be, what NOT to serve with sriracha mayo?! Because honestly, if anything could use a sauce, THIS sauce can be served with it.
- French Fries: This ones a no-brainer, but everything from Baked Potato Wedges, Baked Sweet Potato Fries, and Air Fryer French Fries all taste great with it!
- Breakfast Hashes: You probably didn’t think of this one just yet, but there’s nothing better than making a Sweet Potato Hash or a Breakfast Potato Hash with Eggs a little spicier with a drizzle of this stuff.
- Sushi: Both sushi rolls (like a Philadelphia Roll, Avocado Sushi Rolls, and a California Roll) and even Sushi Rice Bowls could use a drizzle.
- Veggies and “Chips”: Any sort of fried or air fried veggies tastes amazing with it! Air Fryer Pickles, Air Fryer Zucchini Chips, and Air Fryer Okra are great places to start.
- Any Asian Dish: Yes, any!! But particularly this Egg Roll in a Bowl, Korean Beef Burgers, and Spring Roll in a Bowl are the perfect pairings.
My daughter always made this for us before she got married. I wanted some today with roasted veggies and took a chance on this recipe. I’m very glad I did. Delicious! I am keeping this recipe to use again. Thank you so much!
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Terrie! It’s so good on so many things! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!
I like anything spicy, My question is could Greek Yogurt replace the mayo?
Thanks
Ohhh that’s a fabulous question! I actually have not ever tried it! I’m sure you could come up with a really delicious sauce, don’t know if it would taste like mayo (will probably come out a little more tangy/sour from the yogurt) but I’d love to know if you do end up trying it, Eileen! Thanks so much for the great question!
Yummy! Used it on my tuna poke salad today and it tasted just like the ones from restaurant.
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Kristian! It’s perfect for a poke salad. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!
Thank you for this recipe! Just made it with a little more of Sriracha than 1 Tbsp, and LOVED it! My poke was truly amazing with this sauce. I’ll surely try it with other dishes 🙂
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Gaby! It’s good on so many things. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!
This was one of the best meals I’ve had ever! Thank you for this.
Your heat scale for using the Sriracha sauce was spot on. I used a Tablespoon and it was mildly spicy and just perfect for me! I added an extra squeeze of honey on the salmon for extra sweetness. It was PERFECTION!
I do have a question though. I believe I followed your instructions but did not have ANY marinade left over to put in the pan with the salmon. Am wondering how much you typically have left over to pour back in there and then cook down when you make it?
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Tamara! That’s awesome. It depends on the size and thickness of the fish. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!
This is the easiest and best tasting recipe for Sriracha Mayo!! My family loved it so much, they ate it all and were angry that I didn’t double the recipe!! Next time, I definitely will. We ate it on Banh Mi sandwiches. Yum!!!
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Barbara! Doubling is so easy, too. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!
Really good sauce, head with your sweet potato fries. Definitely a keeper! I think that it would probably taste good on a fish taco too
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Sandra! This combo sounds great. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!
Delish, I’ll make it again and again
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe Max! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and a rating.
Good stuff. I put 3 Tbsp sriacha. It was medium spice to me.
So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!