Sriracha Mayo Recipe — Spicy BBQ Dipping Sauce

Sriracha mayo is the quickest and most versatile BBQ sauce you can make — 2 minutes, 3 ingredients, always a hit. The creaminess of the mayo tempers the heat of the sriracha, creating a perfectly balanced spicy sauce. Trendy, easy, and irresistibly delicious with Korean and Tex-Mex BBQ dishes.

Basic Recipe — 2 minutes

Ingredients (for 4–6 servings)

  • 100 g mayonnaise (full-fat, not light)
  • 2–3 tbsp sriracha (to taste)
  • 1 tsp lime juice or lemon juice
  • Optional: 1 tsp honey for a sweet balance
  • Optional: 1 tsp sesame oil for an Asian twist

Preparation

  1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and stir well.
  2. Taste and adjust — more sriracha for heat, more mayo for mildness, more honey for sweetness.
  3. Serve immediately — or store covered in the refrigerator (keeps for up to 1 week).

Variations

  • Korean Sriracha Mayo — add 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp soy sauce, and a pinch of ginger powder. Perfect with chicken wings and beef short ribs.
  • Tex-Mex Sriracha Mayo — add 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and a dash of lime juice. Great with brisket and chicken.
  • Garlic Sriracha Mayo — add 1 crushed garlic clove for extra depth.
  • Lighter Version — replace half of the mayo with Greek yogurt for a fresher, lighter sauce.

Which BBQ dishes pair well with sriracha mayo?

  • Korean Chicken Wings — sriracha mayo is the ultimate dipping sauce for Korean wings. Creamy, spicy, and perfect.
  • Korean Beef Short Ribs — as a dipping sauce alongside the ribs.
  • Tex-Mex BBQ Chicken — Tex-Mex sriracha mayo as a spread on a chicken wrap or burger.
  • Tex-Mex Brisket — as a dipping sauce or spread on a brisket sandwich.
  • BBQ Chicken — with drumsticks, wings, and chicken thighs.
  • BBQ Burger — as a spread on the bun for a spicy kick.
  • Fries or Sweet Potato Fries — as a dipping sauce alongside the BBQ.
  • Sushi or Poké Bowl — sriracha mayo is also versatile outside of BBQ.

→ Which sauce pairs with which rub? — complete overview

Which rub pairs best with sriracha mayo?

  • Korean BBQ Rub — the perfect match. Gochugaru and sesame in the rub + sriracha mayo = Korean BBQ at its best.
  • Tex-Mex BBQ Rub — cumin and chili in the rub + Tex-Mex sriracha mayo = smoky and spicy.
  • Jamaican Jerk — for those who like it truly spicy. Jerk rub + sriracha mayo is not for the faint of heart.

→ Which BBQ rub for which meat?

Tips

  • Sriracha Brand Makes a Difference — the original Huy Fong sriracha (red bottle with green cap) is the standard. Other brands can be sweeter or spicier.
  • Adjusting Spiciness — start with 1 tbsp sriracha and add more to taste. Easier than reducing it.
  • Storage: up to 1 week covered in the refrigerator.
  • As a Glaze — sriracha mayo can also be used as a glaze on chicken for the last 5 minutes. Be careful: mayo can burn quickly at high heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

How spicy is sriracha mayo?

With 2 tbsp sriracha per 100 g mayo, it's pleasantly spicy — noticeable but not overwhelming. Want it milder? Use 1 tbsp. Want it spicier? Use 3–4 tbsp or add a pinch of cayenne.

Can I use sriracha mayo as a marinade?

Yes — sriracha mayo also works as a marinade for chicken. Coat the chicken generously and let it marinate for 1–2 hours. Pat dry before grilling for a better bark.

Is sriracha mayo gluten-free?

Sriracha itself is gluten-free. Check the label of your mayonnaise — most brands are gluten-free, but not all.

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