The Flavorful Way Joanna Gaines Elevates Store-Bought Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is both a sandwich making and baking staple in many households — use it to make cakes moist, fry a grilled cheese, or add a tasty element to your favorite turkey or ham sandwich. But mayo, especially that of the store-bought variety, has a mild enough flavor that it can be a canvas waiting for some culinary artistry, and Joanna Gaines has provided some inspiration to elevate the taste of this creamy creation in a simple way.

Gaines shares in her "Magnolia Table" cookbook that she upgrades her favorite Hellman's mayo by adding herbs and seasonings to it to create a whole new spread that she uses on her bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich. The Magnolia Network founder uses a ½ teaspoon of white pepper, 2 tablespoons of cut-up chives, a garlic glove, 1 tablespoon of minced dill, 1 tablespoon of parsley, ½ teaspoon of paprika, and a few squeezes of lemon juice to add a new depth to her store-bought mayo. 

Gaines is definitely a mayonnaise muse and may have you thinking of other ways to enhance your jar spread's taste. For a bold flavor with a little kick, you may want to try adding some canned chipotles and adobe sauce to spice things up. In the mood for something a little sweeter with a tangy, bright element? Try mixing in some honey or sugar along with a little ground-up ginger. 

For an Italian spin, add a hefty helping of pesto into the mix. And for your Asian-based dishes, try adding a nutty flavored mayo by incorporating sesame oil or even stir in curry powder and coriander for an earthy taste. You may have to experiment to get just the right ratio and combination of seasonings, aromatics, and sweeteners, but when it comes to the exploration of flavor in the name of the perfect sandwich spread, it is time well spent.