The quick guide to spicy mayonnaise. More than just a surprising perinaise?

The popularity of Nandos perinaise has created a revived interest in creamy, spicy mayonnaise dips. As a quick disclaimer, the information below referencing perinaise has been garnered over many years of talking to various Nandos store owners and gleaned from the official Nandos website. While people use the two terms interchangeably, these are slightly different products, and no implications are made about the Nandos perinaise product.

Spicy Mayonnaise

How spicy is spicy mayonnaise?

Spicy mayonnaise can be mild, with virtually no bite to fiery hot. It all depends on which type of chili is used in the preparation and what dish the spicy mayo is meant to enhance.

Jalapenos form the basis of most spicy mayos and have a Scofield rating of 2,500 – 8,000 units while the Nandos’ perinaise version is made from African Bird’s Eye chili, rated at 50,000 to 100,000 units.

If the spicy mayo is meant to be used with sushi, then Sriracha is often used with a heat rating of 1,000 to 2,500 units.

My personal recipe uses cayenne chili powder, so tends to have a lot more bite at 30,000 to 50,000 units, making it perfect as an intermediate chili source. This makes it very similar to a Popeye’s spicy mayo sauce.

The important part is that the chili effect should be fairly instant and not linger too long on the tongue.

How to make spicy mayonnaise

Spicy Mayonnaise Version	Mayonnaise	Spicy ingredient	Extra flavorings	Heat level (estimated)
Sushy Spicy Mayonnaise	1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad cream	2 tablespoons Sriracha	1 teaspoon lime juice, and 1/8 teaspoon of toasted sesame oil.	MIld
Japanese spicy mayonnaise sauce	1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad cream	2 tablespoons Sriracha	1 teaspoon lime juice, and 1/8 teaspoon of toasted sesame oil. Dash of soy sauce.	Mild
Kewpie Japanese spicy mayonnaise sauce	1/2 cup Kewpie Mayonnaise	2 tablespoons Sriracha	1 teaspoon lime juice, and 1/8 teaspoon of toasted sesame oil. Dash of soy sauce.	Mild
Tabasco spicy mayonnaise sauce	1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad cream	1 tablespoon Tabasco	None	Mild
Jalapeno spicy mayonnaise	1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad cream	2-4 diced jalapenos	lime juice, garlic, dried oregano to taste	Mild
Sriracha/sriraja spicy mayonnaise	1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad cream	2 tablespoons Sriracha		Very mild
Sriracha-like spicy mayonnaise	1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad cream	1 teaspoon cayenne pepper	1/4 cup tomato ketchup, dash of dried garlic	Mild
Nando’s perinaise (copycat)	1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad cream	1 tablespoon cayenne pepper	1/4 teaspoon paprika powder, 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/8 teaspoon onion powder	Medium
Popeye’s spicy Mayonnaise (copycat)	1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad cream	1 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper	1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/8 teaspoon onion powder 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon vinegar	Mild

Variations on spicy mayonnaise sauce

Sushi Spicy mayonnaise sauce

Spicy mayonnaise for sushi is a unique blend that marries the flavors of the East to those of the West. To perfect this dish, simply blend together 1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad cream, 2 tablespoons Sriracha, 1 teaspoon lime juice, and 1/8 teaspoon of toasted sesame oil.

Japanese spicy mayonnaise sauce / how to use spicy mayonnaise for sushi rolls.

Blend together 1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad cream or 1/2 cup kewpie mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons Sriracha, 1 teaspoon lime juice, and 1/8 teaspoon of toasted sesame oil.

For a more authentic Japanese sushi spicy mayonnaise, rather use Kewpie mayonnaise which is made from egg yolks and uses rice vinegar. Optionally, add a dash of soy sauce to add a bit more umami. Regular mayonnaise uses the whole egg. Removing the egg whites and only using the egg yolks will yield a richer, creamier mayonnaise.

Kewpie mayonnaise is originally from Japan and will be found in all great Japanese sushi bars.

Tabasco spicy mayonnaise sauce

Tabasco spicy mayonnaise uses Tabasco as the source of heat, which is great as Tabasco tends to be vinegary. This means that this approach makes a perfect, if slightly hotter spicy mayonnaise for sushi. It also holds well with dishes such as pulled pork or fried chicken, where the acidity from the spicy mayo helps to cut through the richness of the meat.

To make this variant, simply blend 1/2 cup of mayonnaise or salad cream and 1 tablespoon of Tabasco sauce.

Jalapeno spicy mayonnaise sauce

Pickled jalapenos are a great start for a spicy mayonnaise sauce. The end product will be milder but chunkier than the other versions on this page. Simply remove the stems and seeds of 2-4 jalapenos, chop finely and blend with 1/2 cup of mayonnaise or salad cream. Add in some lime juice, minced garlic, and dried oregano for a flavor twist.

This sauce is great as a dip as it will be chunkier and green, which always attracts the eye at a party.

Hot sauce spicy mayonnaise sauce

Hot sauce, Tabasco, and Sriracha are often used interchangeably in many recipes. As such, the recipes will be very similar. The main difference between the 3 is that tabasco tends to have a fermentation element, while Sriracha is made from jalapenos, is also fermented and often had added garlic while hot sauce is just as the name indicates – chilies, vinegar, and salt, no fermentation required…

As hot sauce can be very spicy, less is used to make spicy mayonnaise – simply blend 1/2 cup of mayonnaise or salad cream and 2 tablespoons of hot sauce.

Sriracha/sriraja spicy mayonnaise sauce

Sriracha spicy mayo is made with 25% Sriracha chili sauce and 75% mayonnaise or salad cream. This gives the finished product a great flavor and color without being too spicy.

The perfect Sriracha mayo sauce should be a smooth speckled-orange sauce that is sweet, creamy, and spicy at once. Making this recipe takes about 5 minutes as all that it takes is 1/4 cup Sriracha sauce and 3/4 cup mayonnaise or salad cream.

Sriracha spicy mayonnaise without sriracha

Sriracha is pretty close to spicy ketchup. If you do not have some Sriracha sauce lying around, a very close approximation can be made by mixing 2 parts salad cream or mayonnaise to one part ketchup and adding in some cayenne and a touch of garlic powder. if you wish to add more depth, add a touch of dried onion and the tiniest amount of sugar.

Adding herbs to spicy mayonnaise sauce

as with all other recipes, chefs have tried endless flavor combinations to make the most unique variation of spicy mayonnaise. A poplar twist lately has been lime and coriander spicy mayonnaise, especially when paired with Mexican or Asian flavors. The end product is achieved by adding a couple of tablespoons of lime juice or a little lime zest and blending in some finely chopped fresh coriander.

The possibilities are endless, from rosemary to thyme to oregano for more classic Western flavors to basil, coriander, and even mint for more Eastern flavor profiles. Simply chop the herbs finely and blend!

How to use spicy mayonnaise sauce

Spicy mayonnaise sauce is used either as a dip, or as a spread on bread, pita, wrap, or a tortilla. Alternatively, simply add lashings of the sauce on top of a taco or chili con carne. Or dainty drops on top of a sushi roll…

Like any other sauce or dip, spicy mayonnaise is simply a vehicle to add much-needed creaminess to a dish while reinforcing specific flavors or heat profiles.

Dishes that use spicy mayonnaise sauce

Spicy mayonnaise is highly versatile and has been used in a variety of dishes as a supporting condiment. Its role is to take a dryer component and add fat and creaminess while conveying heat and layers of flavor. The sauce itself can be a plain mix of creamy yet sweet mayonnaise with a hint of chili, or it could be used to carry an array of spices and ingredients such as capers, diced onions, and garlic.

We have used spicy mayo for:

• Burgers
• Sandwiches
• Fried Chicken
• Fries
• Sweet potato fries
• Wedges
• Hotdogs
• Tacos
• Pulled Pork
• Shrimp (dip)
• Sushi rolls
• Dips for chips

Can Spicy Mayonnaise be Used as a Condiment for Peri-Peri Chicken?

Spicy mayonnaise elevates the periperi chicken recipe and history, blending harmoniously with the dish’s fiery essence. This creamy condiment adds a luxurious texture to the chicken, complementing the peri-peri’s citrusy heat and echoing the culinary traditions of Mozambique and Portugal.

Allergen and dietary points for spicy mayonnaise

Is spicy mayonnaise gluten free?

Yes, as long as good quality spices are used in the production of the spicy mayonnaise dip. Unfortunately, too many cheaper spice producers extend their spices by adding in some flour, which would introduce gluten, thus it is always important to check the ingredients being used.

Is spicy mayonnaise vegetarian-friendly?

Yes. Most creamy mayonnaise or tangy mayonnaise products are vegetarian friendly as they use milk and eggs in the manufacturing process and no meat products. As always though, check the label to make sure that you are buying the right product for your dietary needs.

Is spicy mayonnaise vegan-friendly?

If the correct salad cream is used as a base, then the spicy mayonnaise dip will be vegan-friendly (always check all of the labels). Unfortunately, there are too many varieties of mayonnaise and/or salad creams to give an absolute answer.

Is spicy mayonnaise dairy-free?

If the correct salad cream is used as a base, then the spicy mayonnaise dip will be dairy-free (always check all of the labels). Unfortunately, there are too many varieties of mayonnaise and/or salad creams to give an absolute answer.

Is spicy mayonnaise low calory?

Using a low-calory salad cream or mayonnaise will make the entire dip low-calory. However, this is never as good as avoiding the creamy dip entirely, which tends to be better for those on a low calory diet.

Spicy mayonnaise vs Nandos’ perinaise

Nandos’ perinaise is a trademarked product developed along the lines of a spicy mayonnaise to be used on Nandos’ products. The two terms have become synonymous in many markets, with many consumers preferring the term perinaise to describe a specific level of heat from the chilies.

As this is a trademarked product, any use of the word perinaise needs to be used as a reference point from which to describe the original product and not a copy-cat product.

Can I Use Spicy Mayonnaise as a Seasoning in Frozen Lemongrass Dishes?

Yes, you can definitely use spicy mayonnaise as a seasoning in frozen lemongrass dishes. The creamy texture and kick of spice will elevate the flavors. One of the best freezing lemongrass tricks is to mix the mayo with lemongrass before freezing for a burst of flavor when cooking.

Nandos’ perinaise

Disclaimer: at the time of writing, all information is derived from Nandos’ online sources, which include their allergen information sheet and their menu, where filters can be used to determine which menu items contain certain products. This information is provided for information purposes only.

What is Nandos’perinaise sauce?

Nandos’ perinaise is a sauce or a dip made from a creamy mayonnaise or salad cream, some dried, ground chili, and food coloring, along with some extra flavorings or spices. It is at the same time soothing and adds a bite to your food. Perinaise now comes in 3 heat versions, lemon and herb, for the faint at heart, original flavor, and hot for the heat seekers.

What does Nandos’ perinaise taste like?

Perinaise tastes creamy, sweet with a hint of chili. It is a perfect match for food that is not too spicy or greasy. The ingredients mention items such as garlic and onion, but truly, these flavors are well hidden in the final product, bringing about a more balanced taste rather than packing a punch.

How to use Nandos’ perinaise?

This spicy mayonnaise is ideally used as a dip for fries, wedges, chicken pieces, or shrimps. Simply pour some into a deep dish such as a ramekin and serve with the food. Alternatively, why not use perinaise as a spread, and smear liberally on a bun prior to assembling a burger, sandwich, or even a wrap? More adventurous souls will drop a dollop in coleslaw or on a taco to add much-needed creaminess to their food.

Can you use perinaise to marinade or baste chicken?

Perinaise is a creamy dip that is not ideal as a marinade or baste. While many Indian chicken recipes tend to recommend using yogurt as part of a marinade, perinaise is made very differently from yogurt and the meat-tenderizing properties of yogurt simply would not be present. It would be better to use my spicy mayonnaise sauce recipe and substitute the creamy mayonnaise for yogurt if you really want to use a perinaise as a marinade.

How to make Nandos’ perinaise? What is the perinaise sauce recipe?

Nandos keeps its recipe close to its heart, so an exact recipe is hard to produce. It is always possible to determine how perinaise is made in broad terms by studying the ingredients list and the allergen list. However, the exact nature of “spices” or “flavorings” can be tricky to determine.

As far as I can tell, the dip can be replicated fairly well using 3 key ingredients. I have a recipe that closely matches perinaise and the broad outlines are duplicated here:

1. Sweet, creamy mayonnaise. This is more of a salad cream than a tangy mayonnaise as the sauce itself is not tangy and looks light pink. As most classic tangy mayonnaise pots I have seen are light yellow and taste tangy and salad cream is whiter, and taste sweeter and smoother, I would start with a salad cream.
2. Chilli spice: the name says it all… “perinaise” or “peri” + “naise”… chilli is involed, either dried and ground African bird’s eye chilli or a cayenne pepper.
3. Paprika: regular paprika, not smoked, for the colour. Perinaise is pink in color and fairly uniformly so… adding just a dash of paprika will turn a white cream light pink.

Nandos’ perinaise ingredients:

Water, Vegetable oil (Rapeseed) 27%, Vinegar, Sugar, Cornflour, Garlic Puree 3% (Garlic, Seasalt, Citric Acid), Salt, Egg Yolk, Apple Cider Vinegar, Spices (Red Chilli Pepper, African Bird’s Eye Chilli, Paprika, White Pepper, Black Pepper), Thickeners (Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol Alginate), Onion Puree, Preservative (Potassium Sorbate), Lemon Puree, Green Chillies, Flavouring, Antioxidants (Calcium Disodium EDTA, Ascorbic Acid), Rosemary Extract.

Is Nandos’ perinaise gluten free?

In theory, Nandos’ perinaise is gluten-free as it does not contain any wheat or related sources of gluten. However, there is always a risk of cross-contamination in a busy restaurant, so chat to the manager on duty and make sure that you get a sealed tub of perinaise, if available.

Is Nandos’ perinaise vegan-friendly?

At the time of writing, Nandos’ offers a vegan-friendly version of their perinaise. The online menu specifies that eggs are present in their normal perinaise, so please specify at the store that you need the vegan-friendly version.

Is Nandos’ perinaise vegetarian friendly?

Nandos’ perinaise is vegetarian friendly, made of dairy and egg products, along with some spices and stabilizers. Using the Nandos’ menu and filters is dead easy, allowing a causal user to determine which products are deemed vegetarian-friendly.

Is Nandos’ perinase dairy-free?

Nandos’s perinaise in 2022 is dairy-free. The last allergen information that is available seems to indicate that perinaise contained milk, however, it seems that Nandos’ may have tweaked its recipe to avoid dairy! When in doubt, simply talk to the manager on site and request a vegan-friendly version of the perinaise. This will ensure that no dairy has been used in the manufacturing process.

Is Nandos’ perinase egg-free?

No, Nandos’ perinaise is regretfully not egg-free, unless you order the vegan-friendly option. This is a tad confusing as the online menu as of 21 March 2022 indicates that the perinaise does contain eggs. However, if you have an egg allergy, simply discuss this with the eager on-site and ask for the vegan-friendly version of the perinaise.