Sriracha Aioli vs. Spicy Mayo: Differences & Uses

Ah, sauces: the unheralded heroes of the culinary world. A good dressing can take a dish from meh to marvelous, and a great one can turn it into an addictively delicious experience. Sriracha aioli and spicy mayo are two of my favorites – they’re both creamy, tangy, and spiced to perfection. What’s more, they’re the favorites of favorites in my household, so I actually make them often. But they’re far from the same thing. So, what’s the difference between sriracha aioli and spicy mayo?

In terms of ingredients and preparation, sriracha aioli is slightly more complicated to make than spicy mayo. When it comes to taste, sriracha is savory with a bit of sweetness, while spicy mayo is spicy. You can use both with various dishes, but sriracha perfectly complements Asian-style dishes.

Today, we’ll explore the differences between sriracha aioli and spicy mayo. First, we’ll discuss the ingredients you need for each one, as well as how to prepare them. I’ll also share my take on which one has more flavor and some ideas on using each type. And finally, I’ll go over some variations that you should consider. So let’s get started!

Ingredients and Preparation

When it comes to comparing sriracha aioli vs. spicy mayo, the main difference in ingredients and preparation lies in the base.

To make sriracha aioli, you’ll need garlic, mayonnaise, olive oil, and of course, sriracha sauce. Start by mincing the garlic until it becomes a wonderful paste. Then add the mayonnaise and slowly stream the olive oil until it’s fully incorporated. 

Finally, mix in your desired amount of sriracha sauce – depending on how spicy you like it – then stir well until everything is combined. You can also add some sesame if you like some more texture.

You’ll need just two ingredients for spicy mayo: mayonnaise and chili sauce or the hot sauce of your choice. All you need to do is mix one part chili sauce with three parts mayonnaise – as with the sriracha aioli, adjust your proportions depending on how hot you want the finished product to be – ensuring everything is blended well for even distribution of flavor and heat. 

Of course, you can add some sriracha sauce here, too, as well as spices like cayenne pepper and garlic powder.

Taste

One of the most important things to consider when deciding between sriracha aioli and spicy mayo is the taste. The two condiments look pretty similar, but they actually have quite different flavors.

Sriracha aioli is made with minced garlic and is savory, while spicy mayo contains chili pepper and is spicier. Sriracha aioli also has a hint of sweetness, while spicy mayo is mostly tangy and spicy.

I’m a fan of the taste of both, but if you don’t really like spicier flavors, you may reconsider opting for spicy mayo.

Uses

Let’s talk about ways to put both sriracha aioli and spicy mayo to their best use. Both can be used as dips for raw vegetables, chips, or crackers. Spicy mayo also works excellent as a condiment for sandwiches, hot dogs, or tacos – it adds incredible creaminess with some bite.

Sriracha aioli is more versatile because it works so well in all sorts of dishes. You can use it as a marinade for grilled fish or add it to salads, burgers, and pizza – it pairs incredibly well with grilled vegetables. It’s also the perfect compliment to sushi rolls and other Asian-inspired dishes where you want some heat without overpowering the other flavors.

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Variations

If you want to get creative with sriracha aioli and spicy mayo flavors, you can always add a few variations. For example, if you want to add a bit more of an Asian twist to your sauces, try adding some sesame oil, lime juice, or fish sauce. Or, if you want something smokier and spicier, try adding some smoked paprika or chipotle peppers.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to customizing both sauces for your needs. Here are just a few variations for you to consider:

• Sriracha aioli: Add some chopped garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil for extra flavor.
• Spicy mayo: Add diced jalapenos, lime juice, and cayenne pepper powder for an extra kick of heat.
• Sriracha aioli variation: Make it vegan by using vegan mayonnaise and omitting the egg yolk.
• Spicy mayo variation: Make it healthier by using yogurt instead of mayonnaise and adding in diced cucumbers or fresh herbs like cilantro.