Mayonnaise is one of the most versatile and widely-used condiments there is, also used as a thickening agent, and to bind ingredients together.
It’s notorious for going off quickly, even when you keep it in the fridge.
While you won’t see or hear of many people freezing mayonnaise, that’s not to say it can’t be done.
But before we go any further, you should know that egg mayonnaise is completely unsuitable for freezing, and you can find the reasons why in the FAQ section.
If you’re still wanting to freeze mayonnaise, you may look toward a vegan alternative, though it may have unexpected results.
As you probably already know, freezing can alter the texture and taste of many foods, and when it comes to mayonnaise, this is no different.
When frozen incorrectly, the ingredients will separate, or even break down, making for a useless endeavor.
But there is a way to preserve the flavor and texture of mayonnaise during freezing.
How Do You Freeze Mayonnaise?
The sooner you freeze a jar of mayonnaise, the fresher it will be on thawing, and the better quality it will be.
Several of the ingredients shorten the shelf life of fresh mayonnaise, and the combination of eggs, olive oil (see also Can You Freeze Olive Oil), and either vinegar or lemon juice means that you’ll have to act quickly.
In other words, don’t freeze a jar of mayonnaise that you’ve had lying around for a week or two.
When it comes to freezing mayonnaise, you’ll need several freezer-safe glass jars. You’ll also need to make sure that they are sterile – and it’s very important that you don’t skip this step.
Using unsterilized jars could literally result in death, and we want to avoid that.
There are several ways of sterilizing jars. You can sink the whole thing into a pan of water and let it boil for five minutes, or if you want to sterilize several at a time, you can put them in the oven at 275°F for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Make sure all the jars are sitting in a lined pan, making it easier to take them out when they’ve heated up.
Don’t set the oven to higher than this, as you would then risk shattering the jars.
Once the jars have cooled, and they are completely dry, put the mayonnaise in, making sure to leave about an inch at the top, so it can expand safely in the freezer, without bursting the lid.
Seal, and write the date on some tape and stick it onto the lid. Put it into the freezer, where it will keep for a maximum of 6 days. If you’ve made the mayonnaise yourself, this may be less than that, as store-bought mayonnaise contains added stabilizers to make it last longer.
How To Defrost Frozen Mayonnaise
The only real way to thaw frozen mayonnaise is to put it straight into the fridge on the lowest shelf, where the temperature remains the most constant. You can use it once it has softened.
Once thawed completely, mayonnaise will start to break down. The liquid and the emulsion will separate, leaving an unappealing mess behind it.
This separation will be less dramatic in store-bought mayonnaise, but it will still be a problem.
Luckily, you can fix it. While you can discard any excess liquid, it’s easier to blend the lot on a high setting with an electric mixer for a few seconds. This will encourage the mayonnaise to reconstitute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Freeze Sandwiches Which Include Mayonnaise?
While you can freeze sandwiches (see also How To Freeze Sandwiches), freezing sandwiches that contain mayonnaise is a bad idea. Have you ever left a sandwich with mayonnaise for too long before you could eat it? Remember how it goes soggy?
Imagine that bread (see also ‘How to Freeze and Defrost Bread?‘) when it’s frozen and then thawed with the stuff. When you also take into account how mayonnaise separates, it doesn’t create a pleasant picture.
The best way to do this is to avoid freezing mayonnaise sandwiches entirely. Wait until the last minute to put the mayonnaise on the bread to avoid it going soggy and horrible.
If you really want to freeze a mayonnaise sandwich, put it in a suitable sandwich bag, and then into a freezer bag. For better results, thaw and eat it within a month.
Is Egg Mayonnaise Suitable For Freezing?
No! Do not freeze egg mayonnaise. It’s not just inadvisable, but it’s unsafe to do so.
Eggs on their own are very sensitive to temperature changes at the best of times. This also leaves it open for bacteria and cross contamination to happen within the mayonnaise when it comes to defrosting it.
Not to mention how the stuff will separate after it’s been defrosted. It can also easily curdle when the product separates. If it’s past its best, bin it.
Can You Freeze Mayonnaise If It’s In A Casserole?
Freezing a casserole made with mayonnaise is possible, though you’re better off using it as a fresh dish where possible, as the texture and appearance will change during the freezing and thawing process.
As mayonnaise has a reputation for separating, this could render the casserole grainy or lumpy.
If you’d still like to freeze it, you need to place the casserole into an airtight container, which stops some freezer burn.
Make sure to leave an inch of space at the top of the container, cover the top with cling film and then seal. Make sure to write the date of storage, and freeze it.
For best results, thaw and consume within a couple of weeks.
Conclusion
While you can freeze mayonnaise, it’s completely inferior to its fresh counterpart, and will separate upon thawing. It will also have a thinner texture.
While you can encourage the mayonnaise to reconstitute itself by beating it with an electric mixer, it will still be noticeably different from fresh mayonnaise.
This makes it generally unsuitable for freezing, though it is safe to eat, and largely depends on your preference. You may find that it’s perfectly okay, or you may absolutely hate it.
Egg mayonnaise, on the other hand, should never be frozen, as the end product is unstable, and unsafe to eat.
