Mom's Best Recipes
Recipe

Sweet and Spicy Mayo

Creamy, zesty, and just spicy enough. This sweet and spicy mayo takes 5 minutes and instantly upgrades sushi bowls, fries, burgers, and roasted veggies.

Author By Matt Campbell
4.8
A small white bowl of glossy sweet and spicy mayo with a spoon on a wooden cutting board, with chili flakes and a lime wedge nearby
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If your condiment shelf is feeling a little boring, this sweet and spicy mayo is about to fix that. It is creamy and rich, hits with a quick pop of heat, and finishes with a little sweetness that makes you go back for another dip.

I keep it super accessible: mayo, something spicy, something sweet, and a couple little boosters that make it taste like you actually tried. Use it as a dip for fries, a drizzle for rice bowls, or the glue that holds together a really great sandwich situation. It is zesty, zingy, and ready in five minutes.

Sweet and spicy mayo being whisked in a glass bowl on a kitchen counter with a small whisk

Why It Works

  • Balanced heat: Sriracha brings chili-garlic punch while the sweetness keeps it from tasting harsh or one-note.
  • Zesty lift: A little lime juice brightens the whole sauce so it tastes fresh, not heavy.
  • Fast flavor: Garlic powder and a pinch of salt make it taste blended and intentional, not like two things stirred together.
  • Customizable: Make it milder for kids, hotter for spice lovers, or thinner for drizzling.

Pairs Well With

  • A plate of crispy baked sweet potato fries on parchment paper with a small ramekin of spicy mayo

    Sweet Potato Fries

  • A shrimp rice bowl topped with sliced avocado, cucumber, and a drizzle of spicy mayo

    Shrimp Sushi Bowl

  • A smash burger on a toasted bun with lettuce and a swipe of spicy mayo

    Easy Smash Burgers

  • Crispy cauliflower florets on a sheet pan with a small bowl of spicy mayo for dipping

    Roasted Cauliflower Bites

Storage Tips

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for 5 to 7 days, kept refrigerated and handled with a clean spoon each time. When in doubt, follow the earliest expiration date of your ingredients.

Stir before using: Citrus can loosen the sauce slightly over time. A quick stir brings it right back.

Do not freeze: Mayo-based sauces tend to separate and get grainy once thawed.

Food safety note: If it has been sitting out for more than 2 hours, toss it and make a fresh batch.

Common Questions

Is spicy mayo just mayo and sriracha?

It can be, and that is a fine starting point. This version adds sweetness plus lime and garlic so it tastes brighter, rounder, and a little more like the kind you get at your favorite takeout spot.

How do I make it less spicy?

Use 1 tablespoon sriracha instead of 2, or swap in a milder hot sauce. You can also add 1 to 2 extra tablespoons mayo to dilute the heat.

How do I make it sweeter?

Add an extra 1 teaspoon honey (or sugar) and taste again. Sweetness should show up at the end, not take over.

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of mayo?

Yes. It will taste tangier and lighter, and it will be a bit thinner. Try a half-and-half blend of mayo and Greek yogurt for a happy middle ground.

What can I use instead of sriracha?

Any chili-garlic style hot sauce works. Sambal oelek is great too. If you use a thinner hot sauce, your mayo will be looser, so start smaller and adjust.

Can I use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder?

Yep. Use 1 small clove, finely grated. Just know fresh garlic gets louder as it sits, and it can shorten the best-by window a bit. If you are meal-prepping it for the week, garlic powder stays more mellow and predictable.

I started making this sauce the way a lot of my kitchen habits start: standing at the fridge, holding a sad leftover nugget, thinking, “This deserves better.” One squeeze of sriracha later, I realized I wanted more than just heat. I wanted that sweet-spicy balance you get at sushi spots, plus a little citrus to wake it up. Now I make a jar and basically treat it like a pantry staple. If I am eating rice, potatoes, or anything crispy, this mayo has a very real chance of showing up uninvited.