40 Recipes For People Who Really Love Mayonnaise—And We Mean Really Love It

The South's favorite condiment can do anything in the kitchen.

By

Tara Massouleh McCay

Updated on August 17, 2024

Picnic Egg Salad on Toast — Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Mayonnaise is a bit of a miracle ingredient. It's the glue that keeps our favorite cold salads together, from chicken and egg salad to pimento cheese, and it can liven up even the most boring of sandwiches. In certain recipes, it's a prerequisite ingredient. Whichever mayo brand you prefer (we know you have strong feelings), these recipes will help you celebrate the simple joys of egg yolk and oil.

01 of 40

Mexican Corn (Elotes)

Southern Living Mexican Corn on a platter to serve with beers — Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Butter and salt are great on grilled corn, but mayonnaise, lime, and cotija cheese are even better.

02 of 40

Classic Southern BLT

southern blt stacked on top of each other — Monica Farber/Southern Living

Sometimes simple is best. When tomatoes are in season, nothing's more satisfying than the juicy summer fruit and a thick swipe of mayonnaise.

03 of 40

Hot Bacon And Swiss Dip

Southern Living Hot Bacon and Swiss Dip scooped out and ready to serve with vegetables — Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Every occasion deserves a hot dip, and this extra cheesy one is great for any affair, from tailgate to happy hours at home. With just 10 minutes of hands-on time and a few secret ingredients (hello, mayo), this recipe is one to remember.

04 of 40

Heirloom Tomato Pie

Heirloom Tomato Pie in a pie pan with a server and plates around it — Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist Christine Keely

There's no better way to enjoy summer's bounty than a tomato pie fresh out of the oven.

05 of 40

Picnic Egg Salad

Picnic Egg Salad — Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

The secret to this recipe is adding a bit of minced radish for crunch. We promise once you introduce the peppery addition, you'll never go back.

06 of 40

Cheese Slaw

Southern Living Cheese Slaw in a bowl to serve — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

If you love pimiento cheese, you will love this recipe. While a few ingredients are swapped, a few stay the same (thank you, mayonnaise) to provide the creamy, can't-be-beat side.

07 of 40

Herb-Crusted Beef Tenderloin

Herb-Crusted Beef Tenderloin — GREG DUPREE; FOOD STYLING: CHELSEA ZIMMER; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINE KEELY

Mayonnaise is used as a tenderizer and glue to bind breadcrumbs to meat in this updated version of a classic beef roast.

08 of 40

Mini Tomato Sandwiches with Bacon Mayonnaise

Mini Tomato Sandwiches With Bacon Mayonnaise — Victor Protasio

Bacon and mayonnaise go together like peanut butter and jelly. This tiny sandwich will be the showstopper of the next baby shower or bridal tea you host.

09 of 40

Crab Cakes With Key Lime Mayonnaise

Southern Living Crab Cakes With Key Lime Mayonnaise on a plate to serve with lettuce — Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Nothing spells summer like seafood. A homemade crab cake gets a citrusy glow up with the addition of key lime-infused mayonnaise.

10 of 40

Turkey Salad

Turkey Salad — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Thanksgiving leftovers never tasted so good. Add a topping of cranberry sauce, and you'll find yourself wishing you'd bought a bigger bird.

11 of 40

Homemade Mayonnaise

Classic Homemade Mayonnaise — Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Ever wanted to try your hand at homemade? This easy recipe may make you question your brand loyalties.

12 of 40

Old-Fashioned Southern Chicken Salad

Southern Living Old Fashioned Chicken Salad in a serving bowl to serve — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Our favorite picnic salad comes together with chicken breast, celery, onion, boiled eggs, and of course, mayonnaise.

13 of 40

Southern Pimiento Cheese

Southern Living Southern Pimento Cheese on a platter ready to serve with crackers and vegetables — Dotdash Meredith

Sharp cheddar and white cheddar combine with roasted red peppers in this classic Southern dip, sandwich spread, and all-around staple.

14 of 40

Our Best Deviled Eggs

Our Best Deviled Eggs — STACY K. ALLEN, FOOD STYLIST: TORIE COX, PROP STYLIST: SHELL ROYSTER

You may want to go and double this recipe because we promise your lunch or dinner guests will be begging for seconds.

15 of 40

Old Bay Mayo

Old Bay Mayo — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Who doesn't love Old Bay? Mayonnaise and a Cajun kick are a match made in heaven.

16 of 40

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake — Alison Miksch; Prop styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food styling: Mary-Claire Britton

Your guests may pass out when they hear the secret ingredient to this ultra-moist cake.

17 of 40

Southern-Style Potato Salad

Southern-Style Potato Salad — DOTDASH MEREDITH

Creamy, salty, and perfectly starchy, this Southern potato salad has the perfect balance of flavors. The sprinkling of bacon over the top doesn't hurt either.

18 of 40

Alabama White Sauce

Southern Living Alabama White Sauce on wings — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Every Southern state has their own signature barbecue sauce, from tangy eastern North Carolina to smoky St. Louis, but we're slightly partial to the vinegar-and-mayonnaise-based Alabama version.

19 of 40

Shrimp Salad

Shrimp Salad in lettuce cups - Southern Living — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Herby, lemony shrimp salad is the perfect answer to a hot summer day. The beach is calling!

20 of 40

Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

a bowl full of Deviled Egg Pasta Salad — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Two already-great recipes combine for one incredible side dish that your friends and family will insist on getting the recipe for.

21 of 40

Heirloom Tomato- Cracker Salad

Heirloom Tomato-Cracker Salad — Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Another summer showstopper, heirloom tomatoes get their moment atop creamy bed of mayonnaise, chives, apple cider vinegar, and garlic salt.

22 of 40

Pork Chop Sandwich

Southern Living Pork Chop Sandwich assembled and ready to serve with a beer — Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

You get mayonnaise two ways in this recipe: as a binder for creamy slaw and as a base for an apple butter sauce.

23 of 40

Pork Tenderloin Biscuits with Gochujang Mayo

Pork Tenderloin Biscuits with Gochujang Mayo — Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen

If you've never thought of putting gochujang and mayonnaise together, there's no time like the present. Paired with grilled pork loin and buttery biscuits, the sweet-tangy-spicy sauce shines.

24 of 40

Creamy Cucumber Salad

Creamy Cucumber Salad — HANNAH ZIMMERMAN/SOUTHERN LIVING

Vidalia onion, crunchy cucumber, and fresh dill—we can't imagine a better trio for a fresh summer salad.

25 of 40

Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing

Southern Living Blue Cheese Dressing on a salad — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

The best dip for buffalo wings and the only dressing for a classic wedge salad, this blue cheese dressing beats every store-bought version any day.

26 of 40

Popcorn Salad

Southern Living Popcorn Salad in a bowl to serve with a spoon and a serving on a plate beside — Stacy K. Allen; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Don't knock it before you try it! Popcorn is the perfect vessel for this mayonnaise, honey mustard, and vinegar dressing.

27 of 40

Classic Coleslaw

Classic Coleslaw — Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

You only really need two things for coleslaw: a big head of cabbage and mayonnaise. Add in some carrots, sugar, and apple cider vinegar, and you've got yourself a multipurpose side and topping.

28 of 40

Ranch Potato Salad

Southern Living Ranch Potato Salad in a bowl to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

A twist on classic potato salad comes together with bacon, cheddar cheese, and a mayonnaise-sour cream dressing seasoned with fresh herbs and lemon juice.

29 of 40

Million Dollar Dip

million dollar dip on a tray with crudites and crackers — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

A cheese ball is a Southern party staple. Million Dollar Dip packs the same flavor without the fuss of putting it into its namesake shape.

30 of 40

Cheesy Mushroom Sliders

Southern Living Cheesy Mushroom Sliders with fries on the side to serve — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

There's more than one way to serve a summer slider. Chipotle mayonnaise injects extra flavor into this meatless dish.

31 of 40

Creamy Crab Dip

Creamy Crab Dip Recipe — Hector Manuel Sanchez

The ingredient list is short, but the flavor in this classic crab dip is anything but.

32 of 40

Tartar Sauce

a bowl of tartar sauce beside salmon — Emily Laurae/Southern Living

It wouldn't be a fish fry without tartar sauce. When you're planning a proper bash, don't settle for store-bought. Step things up with an easy homemade version.

33 of 40

Persian Salad Olivieh (Persian Chicken Salad)

Southern Living Persian Salad Olivieh (Persian Chicken Salad) on a platter to serve — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Chicken salad, egg salad, and potato salad have each earned their forever places on our potluck tables, but here's a reason to make room for this mashup of the three.

34 of 40

Creamy Broccoli Slaw

Creamy Broccoli Slaw — Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Save time and energy by using store-bought broccoli slaw mix. Golden raisins, chopped pecans, and a creamy dressing bring it all together.

35 of 40

Curry Chicken Salad

Southern Living Curry Chicken Salad in lettuce cups on a tray to serve — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

If chicken salad gets to be a bore, you don't have to shelf the dish. Try this variation that utilizes curry powder for multidimensional flavor.

36 of 40

Skillet Spinach-Artichoke Dip

Skillet spinach-artichoke dip in cast iron — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist:Ruth Blackburn

Spinach-artichoke dip is already a sure-fire party favorite, but throwing it in a skillet and letting it get all bubbly and cheesy in the oven turns it into a party in a pan.

37 of 40

Crawfish Rolls

Six crawfish roll sliders on a tray with lemon wedges. Two beers in glasses next to the tray. — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell

Maine has their lobster rolls, but in the South our favorite crustacean is a little guy called a mudbug, otherwise known as a crawfish. This recipe shows them off in spades with an easy salad and buttery dinner rolls.

38 of 40

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

Southern Living Cucumber Tea Sandwiches on serving platter — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

We all know cream cheese and English cucumbers are the main ingredients in this prim and proper dish, but mayonnaise is just as important to pull the cream cheese spread together.

39 of 40

Seafood Pasta Salad

Seafood Pasta Salad — Photographer and props: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

You can mix and match ingredients in this seafood salad recipe. One thing you can't leave out? The mayonnaise to bind everything together.

40 of 40

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Southern Living Elote Pasta Salad in a bowl to serve — Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

Inspired by the flavorful elote, this recipe is creamy, tangy, and satisfying. It makes the perfect unexpected summer side salad.

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