You’ve come to the end of the mayo jar. There’s enough for a little something, but you’re tempted to toss it and crack open a new one instead. We’re here to stop you. Don’t even think about wasting that last bit of precious flavour; there are clever ways to turn every last dollop into something delicious and useful. Here’s how to give that almost-empty mayo jar new life in the kitchen.
1. Shake up quick dressings
This pantry staple can be your secret weapon for flavour-packed dressings, made in the blink of an eye.
- Add a splash of olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, and seasoning to the jar. Close the lid and shake it up. Easy mayo dressing in seconds.
- Or, loosen up the last bits of mayo with a splash of milk (or milk alternative) and season with your favourite condiment to make the easiest and flavour-packed dip.
- Experiment with punchy flavours like garlic, herbs, avo, sriracha, sesame oil, chilli crisp, honey, soy sauce, curry, and chutney.
Try it out next time you’re making a salad, or something crispy in need of a dip.
Spicy Rice with Pilchard Fish Cakes and Chutney Mayonnaise
2. Marinade magic
A mayo jar is the perfect vessel for making marinades. All you have to do is add your favourite combo and shake.
- Use the last bits of mayo as a marinade base to tenderise chicken, red meats, or fish. The mayo keeps proteins moist and adds flavour.
- You can easily add spices (paprika, chilli, garlic), seasoning, and condiments (chutney, barbecue sauce, honey) straight into the jar and shake.
The best part? If you make a bulk mix of marinade, you can keep it stored in the jar, scooping out exactly what you need, when you need it. Just remember to date it and keep it in the fridge.
Make this Soy and Maple Marinade Recipe In Your Mayo Jar
3. Sneaky baking trick
A strange hack, but mayo is a great condiment to add to batters. The egg yolks and oil keep the batter moist as it bakes, and the vinegar activates any chemical leavening agents (like bicarbonate of soda and baking powder).
Make this Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake with Cherries and Dark-Chocolate Ganache
Chocolate-mayonnaise cake with cherries and dark-chocolate ganache
4. Beyond the kitchen
Mayo isn’t destined for just the kitchen; it has remarkable uses around the house! Mayo’s combination of ingredients, mainly egg yolks, oil, and acid (usually vinegar), makes it an excellent cleaning material. It provides excellent lubrication and moisture, but at the same time, it can also break down residues. So, have your cleaning cloth and mayo ready, and get cleaning.
Use that last bit of mayo to:
- Clean fingerprints off stainless steel
- Erase water rings on wooden furniture
- Remove crayon marks from walls
- Remove sticky residues leftover from labels
- Silence a squeaky hinge
That almost-empty jar sitting at the back of your fridge, with the last bit of mayo clinging to the sides and bottom of the jar for dear life, is actually a kitchen hack waiting to happen. From zesty dressings to moist bakes, there’s no reason to let even a teaspoon of mayo go to waste. Next time, think of it as your secret flavour-boosting weapon, instead of lousy leftovers.
