A bowl of creamy orange sauce, made from a homemade spicy mayo recipe, sits with a wooden spoon on a small board. Sriracha and mayonnaise bottles and a lime wedge are visible in the background.

Recipe Highlights

This Homemade Spicy Mayo recipe may look simple, but it is one of the most useful sauces you can make at home. A quick mix of Japanese mayonnaise and sriracha adds richness, gentle heat, and umami to so many dishes. I make it often, especially when we enjoy sushi or rice bowls for a casual family meal.

  • Quick and easy – It’s so simple to make and is a must-have in my household.
  • Big flavor payoff – A small drizzle of this thick and creamy sauce goes a long way.
  • Very versatile – Works with Japanese and Western dishes alike.

If you love Japanese sauces and condiments, try my Teriyaki Sauce, Homemade Tonkatsu Sauce, and Homemade Ponzu Sauce recipes next!

A bowl of creamy orange sauce—your homemade spicy mayo recipe—sits with a wooden spoon on a cutting board. Nearby are a halved lime, sriracha bottle, and checkered cloth on a white surface.

What is Spicy Mayo?

Spicy mayo is a creamy and thick sauce made by combining umami-rich Japanese mayonnaise with sriracha hot chili sauce and a splash of citrus. It became popular as a sushi topping and is now widely used in Japanese-inspired home cooking for its richness and heat. You’ll see it as an all-purpose sauce for sushi, poke, sandwiches, rice bowls, burgers, tacos, and fries.

Ingredients for Homemade Spicy Mayo Recipe

  • Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise – Its umami-rich flavor makes a difference, so please don’t substitute it. See my tips below.
  • sriracha sauce – I use Huy Fong brand; find it in Asian grocery stores or on Amazon.
  • lime juice

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

Jump to Recipe

How to Make Homemade Spicy Mayo Recipe

  1. Combine ingredients. Add Japanese mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, and a small splash of lime juice to a small bowl. Stir well and mix until the sauce is evenly blended and creamy.
  1. Taste and adjust. Add more sriracha if you like extra heat, or a tiny bit more lime for brightness.
  1. Serve. Use right away, or cover and refrigerate for later.
A hand squeezes a lime over a bowl containing mayonnaise and a generous amount of ketchup, crafting the perfect base for a homemade spicy mayo recipe on a wooden surface.
A person uses a blue spatula to mix a creamy, orange-colored homemade spicy mayo recipe in a small white bowl on a wooden surface.
Namiko Hirasawa Chen

Nami’s Recipe Tips

These simple tips will help you make homemade spicy mayo perfectly every time.

  • Use Japanese mayonnaise. Kewpie mayo is made with egg yolks, which gives it a richer and more savory flavor than regular mayonnaise. Find it in Japanese markets and on Amazon, or make your own with my Homemade Japanese Mayo recipe.
A mason jar of homemade Japanese mayonnaise next to a bottle of Kewpie mayonnaise.
  • Start mild with heat. It is easier to add more sriracha than to fix an overly spicy sauce.
  • Go light on citrus. Too much lime juice will thin the sauce and mute the creamy flavor.
  • Mix thoroughly. Stir until the color is even so every bite tastes the same.
  • Keep it simple. This sauce works best when you let the main ingredients shine.
A bowl of creamy orange homemade spicy mayo recipe with a spoon sits on a wooden board, surrounded by sushi rolls filled with vegetables, sesame seeds in a small dish, and chopsticks on a white surface.

Variations and Customizations

Looking to change things up? Try these easy and tasty ideas!

  • Adjust the spice level. Add more or less sriracha to suit your taste.
  • Use lemon juice. Lemon works in a pinch, though lime tastes fresher here.
  • Try sesame oil. A tiny splash of toasted sesame oil adds depth, especially for a dipping sauce.
  • Adjust the consistency. For a dip, use less lime juice and add more mayo to keep it rich and scoopable—perfect for sushi rolls, fries, or fried seafood. For a drizzle, whisk in lime juice or water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until smooth and pourable. This works well for poke or tacos.

What to Serve with Homemade Spicy Mayo

This sauce adds creaminess and a spicy kick to almost any dish! Here are my favorite ways to serve this sauce.

A white plate containing a Dragon Roll.
A rectangular white plate holds a row of spicy tuna rolls, each topped with a dollop of creamy orange sauce and sprinkled with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. The background is a dark, blurred surface.
A white bowls containing savory pan-fried tofu, cucumber, avocado, edamame, carrot, red cabbage, and watermelon radish over brown rice.
The wooden table with bowls and plates containing Asian Pulled Pork Taco ingredients.

Storage Tips

To store: Once homemade spicy mayo is mixed, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate immediately. It will keep well for up to 7–10 days. Stir before using.

FAQs

What is spicy mayo made of?

Spicy mayo sauce is made with Japanese mayonnaise and sriracha hot sauce. Many recipes also include a small amount of lime juice for brightness. Using Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise gives the sauce a richer texture and deeper umami flavor than regular mayonnaise.

Is spicy mayo the same as sriracha mayo?

Yes. Spicy mayo and sriracha mayo are the same sauce. Both are made by combining mayonnaise and sriracha. Some versions include lime juice or other seasonings, but the base ingredients are identical.

How long does homemade spicy mayo last?

Homemade spicy mayo will keep for 7–10 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use a clean spoon each time and stir before serving to maintain the best texture and flavor.

I’d love to hear how yours turned out! 💛 Please leave a star rating and comment below to share your experience. Your feedback not only supports Just One Cookbook but also helps other home cooks discover recipes they can trust.

A bowl of creamy orange sauce—your homemade spicy mayo recipe—sits with a wooden spoon on a cutting board. Nearby are a halved lime, sriracha bottle, and checkered cloth on a white surface.
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4.69 from 69 votes

Homemade Spicy Mayo

by Namiko Hirasawa Chen
Creamy and tangy Homemade Spicy Mayo is a killer sauce made with just three ingredients—Japanese Kewpie Mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, and a splash of lime juice. Use it on sushi, sandwiches, rice bowls, and tacos for an extra kick of heat.
Prep: 1 minute
Total: 1 minute
Servings: 1 (¼ cup or 60 ml) batch

Ingredients 
 

Instructions

To Store

  • You can keep this Homemade Spicy Mayo in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 7–10 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cup, Calories: 383kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 42g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 25g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 24mg, Sodium: 699mg, Potassium: 33mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 59IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 6mg, Iron: 0.2mg

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on May 6, 2013, and updated on May 31, 2023 with new images, additional content, and a slightly revised recipe. It was republished on January 26, 2026.