This Jalapeño mayo is the perfect dip for sinking grilled meat into this summer. It's creamy, sweet, and spicy, with a hint of acidity, making it the ideal accompaniment for your backyard party.
Growing up in a family that needs a dipping sauce for everything, I enjoy creating different varieties of dipping sauces. This jalapeno mayo quickly became one of my favorites. I hope it turns out to be your favorite, too!
Who doesn't love a creamy and spicy combo? This creamy, crowd-pleasing recipe is also great for making ahead—it's a must-have!
Just mix store-bought mayonnaise with a few simple ingredients. Stir it up, and you'll have a delicious dipping sauce in no time(have you tried this jalapeno cilantro sauce?).
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Why You'll All Love This Recipe?
⭐️Quick and easy to prepare with spicy, savory flavors.
⭐️Requires simple, easy-to-find ingredients.
⭐️You can adjust the heat to your preference.
Ingredients
- Mayonnaise. Today, I used full-fat mayonnaise. But you can use light mayo or substitute it with plain Greek yogurt. If you prefer a vegan version, try swapping it with vegan mayo.
- Fresh jalapeno. You can also swap this with pickled jalapenos. Each addition brings out different flavors, but each variation tastes delicious.
- Honey. Provides rich sweetness.
- Garlic is a humble ingredient that always complements the jalapeño heat and the creamy mayo, bringing out the best flavors.
- Lemon juice. Feel free to substitute with lemon juice.
- Cilantro adds freshness to the dish. You can also substitute cilantro for parsley or entirely skip adding it.
How To Make Jalapeno Mayo Dip?
- In a medium bowl, add mayonnaise.
- Then add finely chopped jalapeños, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, lime juice, and salt.
- Whisk all the ingredients until combined, and stir in the reserved seeds and membrane if desired.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve.
♨️How To Adjust The Heat?
Jalapeño mayo has a mild heat with a gentle kick.
The heat of this jalapeño mayo depends on the type of jalapeño used(each pepper varies with the heat even from the same plant, ranging from medium to hot).
Remove and reserve the seeds and white membrane from the jalapeno to control the heat. But you can always add them back later to match your heat preference.
You can also lower the heat by adjusting the amount of jalapeño you use.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- The watery consistency. If your jalapeño mayo turns watery, thicken it by adding more mayo.
- Less heat. If it is less spicy, stir in some cayenne pepper, even after adding the seeds and the membrane.
Storage & Reheating
You can use the leftover jalapeño mayo as a sandwich spread, taco topping, or salad dressing.
Refrigerate the leftover jalapeño mayo in an airtight container for about three days. Whip it again to make the texture creamy and smooth before serving.
I recommend not freezing it, as it may start curdling once thawed.
FAQ
Absolutely. Feel free to substitute jalapeño with any other chili pepper. Every pepper has its unique heat level and taste, so adding different peppers can create signature flavors in the final sauce.
Yes. Fresh lime juice is preferred for a brighter, more refreshing flavor, but the store-bought bottled lemon juice also meets expectations.
It's one versatile condiment (similar to my earlier Sriracha honey sauce).
It is best served with grilled chicken, fish tacos, roasted vegetables, fries, sliders, and more.
More Dipping Sauce Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know your thoughts in the 📝 comments section below the recipe.
📖 Recipe
Jalapeno Mayo
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 fresh jalapeno
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon cilantro minced
- ¼ salt /to taste
Instructions
- Cut the jalapeños in half and remove the seeds and membrane. Set them aside if you want to add more heat to your mayo later.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise.
- Add finely chopped jalapeño, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, lime juice, and salt to taste.
- Use a whisk to combine all the ingredients together.
- Taste the mayo and adjust the flavor as needed. If you want it to be spicier, add some of the seeds and membrane you set aside earlier.
- Transfer the jalapeño mayonnaise to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Adjust the spiciness by adding or removing jalapeño seeds and membranes based on your heat preference.
- If the mayo turns watery, thicken it by adding more mayo.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; avoid freezing as it may curdle.
Anjali says
This mayo was packed with flavor, super easy to make and was so creamy!! I used it as a topping for burgers and it worked out so well!