Special Mayo

Name: Special Mayo
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 3/4 cup
Ingredients: 1/2 cup mayonnaise (Chosen Foods or Primal Kitchen); 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut yogurt; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 pickle, chopped; 1/2 tsp maple syrup; 3/4 tsp onion powder; 3/4 tsp garlic powder; 1/8 tsp sea salt; 1 tsp shallot, finely minced (optional)

Dairy-free • Gluten-free • Vegan

Special Mayo

This special mayo is tangy, creamy, and packed with flavor — the kind of sauce that makes everything taste better. It’s a lighter twist on traditional mayo-based sauces, mixing quality mayonnaise with unsweetened coconut yogurt for a creamy texture that’s not too heavy. Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, chopped pickles, and a touch of maple syrup create a balanced sweet-tangy flavor that works beautifully on grilled chicken, fish tacos, sandwiches, and more. Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This sauce proves that condiments can be the thing that turns a simple meal into something special. Once you make this, you’ll want to put it on everything.

Creamy without being heavy. Mixing mayo with coconut yogurt lightens the texture and adds a subtle tang while keeping things rich and satisfying.
Sweet, tangy, and savory all at once. The combination of Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, pickles, and maple syrup creates a balanced flavor that’s more interesting than plain mayo.
Ready in 5 minutes. Mix everything together in one bowl and you’re done. No cooking, no blending, just stir and serve.
Works with everything. This sauce is incredibly versatile — it’s perfect as a dip for grilled proteins, a spread for sandwiches and wraps, or a topping for fish tacos and burgers.
Made with quality ingredients. Using clean-ingredient mayonnaise like Chosen Foods or Primal Kitchen (made with avocado oil) means you’re getting healthy fats without any weird additives.

Ingredients Overview

You’ll find exact measurements in the recipe card below. Here’s how the ingredients work together.

For the sauce

Mayonnaise (Chosen Foods or Primal Kitchen) — The creamy base. I recommend brands made with avocado oil rather than soybean or canola oil for better-quality fats and cleaner ingredients.
Unsweetened coconut yogurt — Lightens the texture and adds a subtle tang plus probiotics for gut health. Make sure it’s unsweetened so the sauce stays savory.
Dijon mustard — Adds a sharp, tangy kick and helps emulsify everything together.
Apple cider vinegar — Adds brightness and acidity that balances the richness of the mayo.
Pickle (chopped) — The secret ingredient that adds texture and a pop of tangy, briny flavor. Use dill pickles for the best result.
Maple syrup — Just a touch of natural sweetness that balances the tang and brings all the flavors together.
Onion powder — Adds savory depth without the sharpness of raw onion.
Garlic powder — Rounds out the savory flavor and adds warmth.
Sea salt — Enhances all the flavors and brings everything together.
Shallot (finely minced, optional) — Adds a fresh, mild onion flavor if you want an extra layer of depth. Use a microplane to mince it really fine so you get all the flavorful juices.

How To Make Special Mayo

Here’s how it comes together.

Step 1: Mix everything together. In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, unsweetened coconut yogurt, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, chopped pickle, maple syrup, onion powder, garlic powder, and sea salt. If using shallot, mince it very finely with a microplane and add it to the bowl. Stir until everything is evenly combined. Pro tip: finely mincing the shallot releases all its flavorful juices and helps it blend seamlessly into the sauce.

Step 2: Serve or store. Use immediately as a dip, spread, or topping, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use. The flavors deepen and improve as the sauce sits in the fridge.

Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead

Fridge storage Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The flavors actually improve as the sauce sits, making it perfect for meal prep.

Make ahead tips This sauce is designed to be made ahead. Make it at the beginning of the week and use it throughout as a quick flavor boost for meals.

Substitutions and Variations

If you don’t have coconut yogurt — Plain Greek yogurt or any unsweetened dairy-free yogurt works. Just make sure it’s plain and unsweetened.
If you don’t have Dijon mustard — Yellow mustard or whole-grain mustard work as substitutes, though the flavor will be slightly different.
If you want it spicier — Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce.
If you want more pickle flavor — Add an extra teaspoon of chopped pickles or a splash of pickle juice.
If you want it sweeter — Add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of maple syrup.
Different herbs — Stir in a teaspoon of fresh chopped dill, parsley, or chives for an herby twist.

Health Benefits At A Glance

Avocado oil mayonnaise — Made with avocado oil instead of inflammatory seed oils, providing heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
Coconut yogurt — Contains probiotics that support gut health and digestion, plus it lightens the texture without sacrificing creaminess.
Apple cider vinegar — May support healthy digestion and blood sugar balance, plus it adds brightness and acidity.
Maple syrup — A natural, unrefined sweetener that contains minerals like manganese and zinc.
Garlic and onion powder — Contain compounds that support immune function and have natural antimicrobial properties.

Ways To Use This Mayo

On grilled chicken or shrimp — Drizzle over grilled proteins for a creamy, tangy finish.
On fish tacos — This mayo is perfect as a topping for fish tacos, especially with blackened or grilled fish.
As a sandwich or wrap spread — Use in place of plain mayo on sandwiches, wraps, or burgers for extra flavor.
With roasted vegetables — Drizzle over roasted sweet potatoes, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts for a creamy contrast.
As a dip for fries or chicken tenders — Serve alongside baked sweet potato fries or homemade chicken tenders for dipping.
On grain bowls — Add a dollop to quinoa or rice bowls for a creamy, flavorful topping.

Shelley’s Tips

Use quality mayonnaise made with avocado oil (like Chosen Foods or Primal Kitchen) for the healthiest fats and cleanest ingredients.
Make sure the coconut yogurt is unsweetened so the sauce stays savory.
If using shallot, mince it very finely with a microplane so it releases all its flavorful juices and blends seamlessly into the sauce.
The flavors deepen and improve as the sauce sits in the fridge, so don’t be afraid to make it ahead.
This sauce is incredibly versatile — use it as a dip, spread, or topping for just about anything.

Nutrition Note Nutrition will vary based on the ingredients you use. This recipe and all content on this site is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Nutritional Disclaimer

Nutrition information is an estimate generated from a nutrition calculator. There may be errors here or variations based on ingredients you use.

I’m Shelley Loving, a home cook who healed through food. Now I share simple, delicious recipes and kitchen tips to help you cook with more confidence.

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