Homemade Mayo Recipe (5 Minutes, 6 Ingredients)

If you’ve ever flipped over a jar of store-bought mayo and read the label, you’ve probably noticed a long list of ingredients that don’t exactly scream “fresh.” From preservatives to stabilizers, and often made with refined oils like soybean or canola, many commercial mayos just don’t bring the same flavor—or nourishment—as making your own at home.

That’s why I love this simple homemade mayo recipe. It’s creamy, clean, and made with just six whole-food ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. Plus, it takes less than 5 minutes to make with an immersion blender. Once you try it, you’ll never want to go back to the jar.

Why Make Homemade Mayo Instead of Store-Bought?

• Cleaner ingredients: Store-bought mayo often contains stabilizers (like calcium disodium EDTA), artificial flavors, and unnecessary fillers.

• Better oils: Many brands use cheap, refined oils such as soybean or canola oil, which can be inflammatory for some people. Making it at home lets you choose a healthier oil—like avocado oil—for a smoother, nutrient-dense base.

• Customizable flavor: Homemade mayo is a blank canvas! You can add garlic, herbs, chipotle, or spices to make it your own.

• Fresher taste: There’s no comparison—the flavor of homemade mayo is light, tangy, and perfectly creamy.

Homemade Mayo Recipe

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup avocado oil

• 1 large egg (room temperature)

• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar—see notes below)

• 1 tsp lemon juice

• ½ tsp Dijon mustard

• ½ tsp salt

💡 Why both vinegar and lemon juice?
I like using a mix because I find it helps the mayo keep better in the fridge and adds a nice balance of flavor. White vinegar will also work in place of apple cider vinegar, but I prefer ACV for its subtle tang and potential gut-health benefits.

Directions

1. In a tall jar, add the egg, vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and salt.

2. Pour in the avocado oil on top. Do not stir.

3. Place your immersion blender at the bottom of the jar and blend on high for about 20–30 seconds without moving it. The mayo will start to thicken at the bottom.

4. Slowly lift the blender upward to incorporate the oil until everything is smooth and creamy.

5. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking.

Storage & Variations

• Storage: Transfer to a clean, airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

• Garlic Mayo: Blend in 1–2 roasted garlic cloves.

• Chipotle Mayo: Add 1 tsp chipotle paste or powder.

• Herb Mayo: Stir in fresh parsley, dill, or basil after blending.

Why This Recipe Works

✔ Takes less than 5 minutes
✔ Just 6 real-food ingredients
✔ Creamy texture and fresh flavor
✔ Healthier than store-bought (no fillers, no low-quality oils)

Once you realize how quick, easy, and customizable this recipe is, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start making mayo from scratch sooner!

If you love simple swaps like this, you’ll enjoy my Food for Thought Friday newsletter—packed with easy, brain-friendly recipes, healthy eating tips, and ways to make cooking feel effortless.