Sandwich is not a sandwich without mayonnaise. Do you agree? I am a sandwich lover myself and mayo is what makes it juicy and tasty whatever kind of meat patties and vegetables you topped it with.
Sandwiches cannot go wrong with mayo, but sandwiches will be dry without it. I cannot imagine my sandwiches without mayo. However, mayo is not limited to making sandwiches taste. It can be used in many recipes as well whether it is to be served hot or cold.
Has it occurred to you what could happen if you refrigerate a ready to eat sandwich with mayo and all, then would have to microwave it for later?
Can I reheat a sandwich with mayo in it? Will it still be safe for consumption when microwaved?
Yes, it is safe. Mayo on sandwich can be reheated in a microwave, and it will be good for consumption just do not overdo the reheating. The perfect reheating time to warm your sandwich is not more than 3 minutes. It is oil based so it will not really dry up but reheating your sandwich more than 3 minutes could burn the bun and make your sandwich greasy.
Here is a walk through on microwaving your mayo and still have it best for consumption. We also prepared other interesting information for you in this article.
A Mayo Guide
Before we get to microwaving the mayo, let us learn more about it first.
Mayonnaise is made from egg yolk mixed in oil, vinegar, or lemon added with some seasoning. It has a slightly whitish or yellowish color and appear thick but creamy.
We regularly use mayo to taste and moisten sandwiches, burgers, or salads. It is also use as dips and can be made the base of other types of sauces or condiments.
I believe we commonly use it to prepare Coleslaw or Devilled eggs. It goes well with our chips, fries, potatoes, and bagels. We cannot list all mayo recipes, but some of the must-try dishes with mayo that you can easily prepare are:
- Creamy Potato Salad
- Chili Mayo on Vegetables
- Tuna Sandwich
- Tartare Sauce
- Lobster Rolls with Lemon Chive Mayonnaise
- Pimento Cheese Dip
- Spicy Tuna Rolls
- Coronation Chicken
Mayo is famous for making food tastes even better, but do you know there are other things you can do with it apart from eating it.
Some interesting uses of mayo are as listed:
- Exfoliates dead skin specially on face.
- Prevents or eliminates lice
- Conditions hair
- Softens skin
- Strengthens fingernails by soaking them in it
- Relieves sun burnt skin
- Treats or soothes skin break outs like acne
- Cleanse and removes sticker residue
How Mayo is Made?
Some people will not go through the hassle of making their own mayonnaise. They think it is very time consuming and it is difficult to make it thick like the readily available mayo in the market. So, most people would simply buy it off the shelf.
To help you realize that making your own mayo is easy, we summarized the steps for you. This is easy to follow and surely will result to that thick and tasty homemade mayo.
How to make your homemade mayo in 5 easy steps.
- Prepare eggs, cooking oil preferably olive oil or any plant-based oil that is almost tasteless, mustard powder, salt, lemon juice or vinegar.
- Mix all the appropriate amount of ingredients-eggs, oil, mustard powder, and salt using a food processor or you can whisk them manually until the mixture become thick and creamy.
- Add lemon juice or vinegar to the mixture. I prefer lemon though using vinegar is also a good option.
- Whisk your mixture again for a few minutes and there you have it, your homemade mayo.
Remember that in making your own mayo, you can choose to use the egg yolk only like how it is commercially prepared, or you can use the whole egg and it will be just the same.
Some people do not consider making their own mayo at home because of the risk of salmonella in fresh eggs and buying commercially made mayo is safer. So, if you worry about salmonella on fresh eggs for your mayo, you can buy and use pasteurized eggs instead.
Mayonnaise and Microwave
There is a notion that once mayo is reheated it becomes slightly toxic, but it was just a tell-tale.
Mayonnaise can be served hot or cold, and it is safe if you need to reheat or microwave it.
Why is it claimed that microwaving or reheating mayonnaise is safe? Let us check on the three factors why it is OK to do it in the context that we bought the mayo off the shelf.
- The eggs used are pasteurized.
- Acidity brought by the lemon juice or vinegar prevents the growth of microorganisms.
- Mayonnaise itself is not toxic but the growth of bacteria in it makes it unfit for consumption.
Why are these three factors described for off the shelf mayonnaise, what if it is homemade?
Because we are sure that the eggs used in preparing the mayo are pasteurized so there is very low risk of bacterial growth in it.
If the homemade mayo used pasteurized eggs, then those factors also apply. There is just a higher chance of bacterial growth if you simply used fresh eggs on your mayo, but it does not mean you cannot reheat or microwave it.
It is important to note that how we store the mayo can contribute to its freshness or spoilage.
How do I store mayo to prevent spoilage?
Reheating and microwaving mayo does not cause it to spoil but storing it improperly does. That is why we should also know how to store it correctly to prevent bacterial growth.
These suggestions will help you store your mayo for a much longer shelf life.
- Be sure that it is in an airtight container with lid.
Using an airtight container with lid is very important to prevent air from sipping in the mayo container. Air can carry particles and even bacteria that can grow in the mayo and spoil it. This is also why consuming the mayo may cause health risks.
- Store it in freezer at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
When not in use, it is important to put it in the fridge because it prevents the growth of food-born microorganism.
- Reheat only a portion that you need to use and do not reheat it several times.
Get a portion of mayo that you only need for consumption to avoid reheating the lot. Reheat it only once and do not overdo it to avoid greasy mayo on your food.
Microwaving A Sandwich with Mayo
Keep in mind that microwaving or reheating a mayo is different from baking with mayonnaise. They are two different processes and of course gives different results.
Reheating or warming your sandwich with mayo is simple and here is how you can do it safely.
- Prepare your mayo whipped sandwich with all desired toppings.
- Microwave sandwich in less than 30 seconds to a minute depending on its thickness.
- Consume fairly and reheat it only once.
Here are your top 3 takeaways to remember:
- Choose to use commercially manufactured mayo instead of using homemade.
- Refrigerate and store the mayonnaise correctly to inhibit microbial growth.
- Overheating mayo can cause the ingredient to separate and turn greasy.
Related Questions
How Long Does Mayo Stay Good?
Commercially manufactured mayonnaise is always best for consumption before the date printed on the packaging. Most people call it expiration date and is usually about less than 4 months. Whereas homemade mayonnaise at good storage temperature can last about 8 days.
Is Mayonnaise healthy or unhealthy?
Mayo can be both healthy and unhealthy depending on your intake.
Eggs which are the primary ingredient of mayonnaise are naturally rich in vitamins D, B14, B6, K, E, and other minerals like zinc, iron, and copper which are all good for our overall health. However, it also has high calorie content due to eggs and oil in it thus if you are not conscious about your intake, it can be converted to fats.
What is the Purpose of Lemon Juice or Vinegar in Mayonnaise?
Vinegar or lemon extract on mayonnaise acts as an emulsifier. It makes the egg and oil be mixed and form a thick cream. Its acidic property due to lemon or vinegar also inhibits the growth of unwanted microorganism in the mayonnaise.
What is Reduced-Fat Mayonnaise?
Reduced-fat mayo has lesser calories that regular mayo we often use. It is recommended by nutritionist to people who needs to have very low-calorie intake.
It is also used as a substitute to regular mayo by those who watches their fat intake. However, some comments that it tastes a bit different form the real mayonnaise. It is because the fat was replaced by starch or sugar to improve its flavor and consistency like that of a real mayo.
