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.

By Matt Campbell

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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

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.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

Small mixing bowl
Whisk or fork
Measuring spoons
Small jar or airtight container for storage

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.