Whipping up a batch of homemade mayo is such a great skill to have, and the results taste delicious!
However, since it isn’t full of additives and preservatives, we know that homemade mayo may not last as long as the shop-bought version, so how long does homemade mayo last?
Short Answer: Homemade mayo will last up to 2 weeks stored in the fridge.
Your mayo relies on oil to preserve its shelf life. Not relying on chemicals means that this version will not last as long as its shop-bought counterparts.
In this article, we will get into how long homemade mayo lasts and give you some tips on how to store it.
Now, without further ado, let’s learn about homemade mayo!
How Is Homemade Mayo Made?
Traditional homemade mayonnaise is a simple emulsion-based sauce made with a few basic ingredients. [*]
At home, it can be made by hand using a whisk or in a blender for larger batches.
Homemade mayo is made from:
1. Egg Yolk
For one small batch, we suggest using two egg yolks.
The egg yolk is the fatty part of the egg that will emulsify with the oil. The white does not have the same consistency and will only aerate when whisked.
You can freeze the extra whites for omelets or meringues later.
2. Mustard
The second ingredient added to mayo is mustard.
It adds some heat and loosens up the egg yolk a little. We suggest using hot English mustard or Dijon.
3. Blended Seed and Olive Oil
We like using a blended oil made up of light olive oil and another neutral oil like canola.
The oil forms the main bulk of the sauce, so you want it to have a very mild flavor. We don’t recommend using pure olive oil as the flavor will be very strong.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar and/or Lemon Juice
Vinegar is used to loosen and flavor the mayo. Lemon juice is there to add the signature sourness of a tasty mayonnaise.
These are the flavor makers, as the egg yolk and oil will taste neutral together.
5. Salt and Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
Salt brings out all the flavor in the mayo, while the pepper gives a little heat.
We do not recommend using ground pepper as this will discolor your mayonnaise.
What Helps Homemade Mayo Last?
Traditional homemade mayonnaise is a simple emulsion-based sauce made with a few basic ingredients. (*)
At home, it can be made by hand using a whisk or in a blender for larger batches.
The ingredients that are responsible for keeping mayonnaise fresh are the oil and the acid, like vinegar and lemon juice.
The oil will help preserve the egg yolks and prevent the raw egg from being dangerous to consume. The acid will add an extra element of preservation.
The reason homemade mayo doesn’t last as long as shop-bought mayo is that there are no artificial preservatives included. This is also why homemade mayo can’t be left out of the fridge.
How Long Does Homemade Mayonnaise Last?
Homemade mayonnaise lasts for up to two weeks if stored correctly.
We suggest making homemade mayo in small batches to make sure you can use all of it before it goes off.
Since there is no marked best before-date on homemade mayo, you need to know what to look for in fresh mayo.
Fresh homemade mayo will be:
1. Hardly Any Smell
You will smell a faint vinegary smell with a very slight eggy smell.
2. Pale Yellow Color
The color of your mayo will depend on the shade of the egg yolks you have used.
Homemade mayo will be yellower in shade than most store-bought mayo.
3. Smooth Texture
The texture should be homogenous and smooth with no separation.
How Do You Know If Homemade Mayo Has Gone Bad?
Right, so we know what fresh homemade mayo looks like; what about when it had gone bad?
Off mayo will be:
1. Sulfurous Smell
The mayo will smell strongly of eggs and be very unpleasant.
2. Mold May be Present
A clear sign that your mayo has gone bad is mold in the jar.
It will start as a white, greenish mold that starts on the sides and will spread across the mayo.
3. Split Texture
When mayo has gone bad, it will start to go runny and split.
This will be evident from the clear layer of liquid that will form on the surface.
4. Bad Flavor
The last resort way to tell that your mayo is bad is to taste it.
We only suggest having a small taste to prevent it from making you feel sick. It will taste very sour and rancid.
What’s The Best Way To Store Mayo?
The best way to store homemade mayo is in the fridge.
Just like store-bought mayo, mayo is best kept cold, and it will spoil very quickly if left out for too long.
Store-bought mayo that is still sealed may be stored in a dark cupboard, but we do not recommend keeping homemade mayo in your cupboard. This will cause it to go rancid very quickly.
Follow these simple steps to store your homemade mayo:
- Clean and dry a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Spoon the mayo out of the bowl and transfer it to the jar.
- Scrape down the sides and clean out the mouth of the jar.
- Seal the jar tightly.
- Place in the fridge.
FAQ
Conclusion
So, after learning about homemade mayo and its shelf life, what can you take away from this?
- Homemade mayo lasts up to 2 weeks.
- The best way to store mayo is in the fridge.
- Make small batches to prevent wastage.
We hope this information helps keep you safe the next time you whip up a batch of homemade mayo.
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