Making homemade mayonnaise is a rewarding and delicious process. Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:
Ingredients
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 cup neutral oil (such as canola, grapeseed, or vegetable oil)
- Salt, to taste
- Optional: a pinch of sugar, pepper, or other seasonings
Equipment
- A tall, narrow container (if using an immersion blender) or a mixing bowl
- Immersion blender or whisk
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature. This helps them emulsify properly.
- Combine Egg, Mustard, and Vinegar/Lemon Juice:
- If using an immersion blender: Place the egg, mustard, and vinegar or lemon juice in the bottom of a tall, narrow container.
- If using a whisk: Place these ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Blend or Whisk:
- Immersion blender: Insert the immersion blender and blend until the mixture is combined and slightly frothy.
- Whisk: Whisk vigorously until the mixture is well combined and frothy.
- Add Oil Slowly:
- Immersion blender: With the blender running, slowly drizzle in the oil. Start with just a few drops at a time. Once the mixture starts to thicken and emulsify, you can add the oil a bit faster in a steady stream.
- Whisk: Continue whisking and start adding the oil a few drops at a time. Once the mixture begins to thicken, you can add the oil in a thin, steady stream, whisking constantly.
- Season:
- Once all the oil is incorporated and the mayonnaise is thick and creamy, season with salt to taste. You can also add a pinch of sugar, pepper, or other seasonings if desired.
- Store:
- Transfer the mayonnaise to a clean jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. Homemade mayonnaise will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Tips
- If your mayonnaise doesn’t thicken, it might be because the ingredients were too cold or the oil was added too quickly. Try adding a teaspoon of warm water and blending/whisking again.
- For a different flavor, you can experiment with different types of vinegar or lemon juice, or add minced garlic, herbs, or spices.
Enjoy your homemade mayonnaise!
