For me, homemade mayo is so much more delicious than store-bought. But how long does homemade mayo last? That’s a question I get asked a lot. The short answer is that homemade mayonnaise has a pretty long shelf life, but it goes bad much faster than commercial mayonnaise.
If refrigerated properly, homemade mayo can last for 2 weeks. In other words, you have to put it in the fridge the right way for it to last that long.
However, there’s more to the shelf life of homemade mayonnaise and that’s what this article is all about. I will discuss how you can make mayo at home, how to preserve it, what you can use it for, and when to know your mayo is not good anymore.
So if you’re interested in learning about homemade mayo, then sit back and read on.
How Long Does Homemade Mayo Last Before It Goes Bad?
While homemade mayo can last for two (2) weeks, it has to be refrigerated properly. Such long shelf life can only be achieved if you put your homemade mayo in the fridge. Otherwise, it will become rancid quickly due to exposure to heat and light.
It is best to keep the homemade mayo in the original container, as it will keep its freshness longer and maintain its original taste. Moreover, it’s always good to transfer homemade mayo from one container to another only when it has cooled down.
If you do not want to store your homemade mayo at room temperature or in the fridge, then you should freeze it for later use. I will discuss how to preserve your mayo in detail later.
What Do You Need to Make Homemade Mayo?
Ingredients required for homemade mayo
- Eggs
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice (or vinegar)
- Neutral flavored oil
- Good quality fine grain sea salt
Equipment required for homemade mayo
- Sturdy wire whisk
- Bowl (with high sides to prevent splashes)
SEE: How to Thicken Spaghetti Sauce to Make It Tastier
How Do You Make Homemade Mayo?
While there are many recipes people use to make homemade mayo, the method and recipe you’re about to learn is the easiest. No matter the quantity, making homemade mayo is a no-brainer and you can do it.
Simply follow the five steps below, and you will be done making a delicious quality homemade mayo in a few minutes.
Step 1:
Take 2 large raw eggs that are at room temperature and separate their yolks from the whites into separate bowls.
Step 2:
Add 2 teaspoons of your freshly squeezed lemon juice or vinegar(depending on which one is available) to the bowl where you have the egg yolks.
Step 3:
Now, it’s time to add your neutral-flavored oil. Your oil can be walnut oil, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, canola oil, or light olive oil. Take 1 cup of the oil and add it to the same yolk bowl you added your lemon juice or vinegar slowly while whisking constantly.
This is an important part of your homemade mayo production. You must make sure the oil mix well with the egg yolks and lemon juice. That’s why I recommend you whisk as you’re pouring the oil slowly, a few drops at a time.
Step 4:
Once you notice your mayo coming together and becoming thick, simply add water to thin it to the texture you want. The best way to add the water is to pour a teaspoon at a time. That way, you can avoid adding too much water which will spoil your homemade mayonnaise.
Step 5:
By now you should have your 1 cup of oil mixed in, making your homemade mayonnaise thick and fluffy. And with the whisking which should have formed ribbons through the mixture.
The last thing to complete the making of your homemade mayo is to season it carefully with fine-grain sea salt. Perhaps if you would love it to be thinner, you can add a small splash of water.
SEE: How to Make Chicken Softer – Simple Tricks
What Next?
Enjoy your homemade mayo any way you choose to use it or put it in the fridge in a covered container.
How Can You Tell If Mayo is Bad?
Mayo is made from eggs, and as such, has a very distinct flavor. If you’re making mayo at home, keeping an eye out for signs that it’s starting to go bad will help ensure you get the most out of your ingredients.
If you want to know if your mayo is bad, here are a few things you will want to look for:
1. Change in texture
When you open a jar of mayonnaise, you’re likely to experience a range of sensory cues. The most obvious is the change in texture caused by the oil and water separation. When mayonnaise is bad, it separates into two distinct layers: one with oil and the other with water.
2. Change in color
Another way to know when your mayo is not good anymore is by paying attention to the color of your mayonnaise. If the mayonnaise turns brown or greenish-yellow, especially around the edges of the jar, there’s something wrong with it. It’s time to toss it away.
4. Sour taste
As a result of not storing your mayo properly in the fridge or exposure to air during production, a sour taste can come into action over time naturally. Therefore, there may be an issue with the batch of mayo you have in front of you if you find that it tastes sour.
3. Strange smell
As with every other food, a bad smell can also indicate that your mayo is bad and needs to be tossed out immediately. Therefore, if you perceive a bad smell coming from your jar of mayo, you need to toss it out immediately because it could make you sick.
5. Visible molds
Another way to tell if your homemade mayonnaise is bad is by looking out for molds. Seeing any moldy bits floating on top of its surface can give you some clues that you need a new batch of mayo.
SEE: How Long Can Cake Sit Out Before It Goes Bad?
Which is Better, Homemade or Store-bought Mayo?
Homemade mayo is better for a few reasons: it’s cheaper, you can use your ingredients, and you know exactly what’s going into it. The only negative side of homemade mayo is that it takes time to make and doesn’t last long even if refrigerated. So I wouldn’t recommend making more than you need for two sandwiches.
On the other hand, store-bought mayo tastes fresher and won’t require any time from your site other than the one it takes you to buy from the store. Also, there’s less waste when using store-bought mayo since you’re not making it yourself.
However, if you’re concerned about eating healthy foods that are free of chemicals, homemade mayo is far better than store-bought mayo as you don’t need to add any form of preservatives that are chemicals.
What is the Best Way to Preserve Homemade Mayonnaise?
The best way to preserve homemade mayonnaise is by freezing it in an airtight container. If you do not have an airtight container, use a freezer bag or other container with a sealable lid. Freezing the homemade mayonnaise will keep it safe longer than freezing it in glass jars or other containers.
However, to make it stay fresh, I will recommend you put your homemade mayo in the fridge instead of freezing it. Because, while mayonnaise can be frozen, it may not be as palatable as a fresh mayo when you defrost it.
But you must know that refrigerating your homemade mayo won’t make it last long as when you put it in the freezer. In my opinion, it’s best to only make a small quantity of mayo you can finish using within a week.
FAQs
Are there any health benefits of mayonnaise?
Yes, some of the health benefits of eating mayo include the promotion of nail health, and improvement of the skin, and also contains some vitamins and minerals.
Are there natural preservatives for mayo?
Organic acids are the most natural preservative used in extending the shelf life of mayonnaise.
Does mayonnaise have preservatives?
If it’s store-bought, yes. However, if it’s homemade mayo you make yourself, there are no preservatives unless you want to purposely add one.
Conclusion
Homemade mayonnaise is a great thing, but it doesn’t last forever. If you’re not using it quickly, it’s best to preserve your homemade (and even store-bought) mayo in the fridge. The mayonnaise will stay fresh for two (2) weeks if you refrigerate it properly.
The longer the shelf life of your homemade mayo, the more savings you get on your food budget and the more money you can save for other things. However, as long as you may want to preserve your homemade mayo, it should be used as soon as possible.
I hope you found this article helpful. You should also check out the Cheffist Food Preservation category. There are plenty of easy yet effective methods to preserve your foods and avoid spoilage.
Thanks for reading.
