Can You Freeze Mayonnaise?

Can you freeze mayonnaise? Mayonnaise is perhaps one of the most popular egg-based dressings and it’s typically used as condiment, dressing, thickener, and binder in cooking. Because it’s made with eggs, this dressing spoils easily even when it’s kept in the fridge. While it’s an unusual practice, you can always freeze mayonnaise to prolong its shelf life.

However, since mayo is an emulsion, there’s a good chance that freezing it will cause the ingredients to break down. The ingredients may also separate, and appear less than appetizing. But we’ve found a trick that will help maintain its texture even after it’s been frozen solid.

Mayonnaise
Image used under Creative Commons from jules

How to Freeze Mayonnaise?

The eggs, oil, and vinegar/lemon juice in plain mayonnaise are likely to speed up spoilage, more so if you’ve been double dipping in a jar of mayo. If you have to freeze mayonnaise, you have to act fast! The proper way to freeze mayonnaise is using freezer-safe sterilized glass bottles. To sterilize the glass jar, just submerge it in a pot of water and bring to a boil for 5 minutes.

Then, get a clean spoon, scoop enough of the dressing to fill the glass jar, giving an inch of space for the mayonnaise to expand when it’s frozen. Remove as much air as you could from the jar, seal it and then stick it in the fridge.

Frozen mayonnaise should keep for about 5 to 6 days. Store-bought mayonnaise keeps longer than its homemade counterpart because the ingredients are stabilized to extend its shelf life.

How to Defrost Frozen Mayonnaise?

The best way to thaw frozen mayonnaise is removing it from the freezer and letting it sit at the lowest portion of the fridge until the mayo has softened.

Although plain mayonnaise will hold its original form when it is frozen, it will break down once it is thawed. The oil is likely to separate from the emulsion so the liquid will sit on top of the dressing, giving an unappetizing appearance. If you used store-bought mayo, the separation won’t be as severe. If separation occurs, you can either get rid of the excess liquid or re-emulsify the mayo.

Image used under Creative Commons from cyclonebill

To re-emulsify the mayonnaise, pour the contents of the jar in a mixing bowl and with an electric mixer, whip the dressing to a high speed for several seconds. If the dressing did not emulsify well, try gradually adding the mayo into the bowl one tablespoon at a time.

Freezing Mayonnaise FAQs

Can you freeze mayonnaise sandwich?

While you can freeze different types of sandwiches, we do not recommend freezing those made with mayonnaise unless left with no choice. Apart from being temperature sensitive, the bread could turn soggy when drenched with any kind of creamy condiment. Also, mayonnaise has the tendency to separate once thawed, which will affect the texture of the sandwich too.

Our advice is to skip the creamy dressings and condiments until you are ready to serve the sandwiches. But if say, you have leftover sandwiches and freezing is the only way to extend their shelf life, do it but don’t expect the taste or appearance of the sandwich to remain the same after thawing.

You need to use a resealable sandwich bag to store the sandwiches in the freezer. Just pop the sandwich in the bag, squeezing out as much air as you can before sealing. Write the storage date then get a larger storage bag. Place all the packed sandwiches inside the large freezer bag then seal. Store flat in the freezer. Eat the sandwich in 3 months or less for optimal flavor and quality.

Can you freeze egg mayonnaise?

Egg mayonnaise is not meant to be frozen at all. Eggs are quite temperature sensitive, the risk of cross-contamination and bacterial growth is high when the mayonnaise is left to thaw for long periods of time. The taste of the mayo could also change after it’s been frozen and defrosted. It’s worth noting that mayonnaise is made with oil too. As the frozen mayonnaise thaws, the liquids and solids could split, causing the condiment to curdle.

Can you freeze mayonnaise in a casserole?

Yes, you can freeze casseroles with mayonnaise although the appearance of the dish and its consistency may change after defrosting. Since mayonnaise is prone to splitting, the casserole could take on a clumpy appearance and develop a grainy texture. If you don’t mind these changes at all then freeze the casserole. We recommend using an airtight container when freezing the dish. The airtight container will prevent moisture from seeping into the dish, causing freezer burns or frost.

To freeze the casserole, just spoon the dish carefully into the airtight container. Do not fill the container to the brim, leave about an inch of space. Cover the container with cling wrap then seal with the airtight lid. Write the storage date then stick in the freezer.

Can you freeze chicken salad made with mayonnaise?

Freezing chicken salad is possible but there are certain factors you need to consider, which we’ve outlined in this guide.

Summary

Don’t expect mayonnaise to retain its original texture after freezing or re-emulsifying it. Once defrosted, mayonnaise will have a thinner texture but it is still safe to eat. Now that you know how to freeze mayonnaise, you can go ahead and freeze a jar or two for salads, sandwiches, and soups!