Vietnamese Mayo (Vietnamese Mayonnaise, Vietnamese Butter or Sốt Bơ Trứng) is the essential yellow spread for the iconic Bánh Mì.
Despite being dairy-free, it is often called the “butter for Bánh Mì” due to its incredibly creamy texture.
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Why this recipe is great
- Easy-to-make: This recipe is simple and straightforward, making it accessible to all skill levels in the kitchen.
- Versatile component: Vietnamese Mayo serves as a key ingredient in various Vietnamese dishes, not only Bánh Mì but also Bánh Mì Charcuterie Board, Bò Né (Vietnamese steak & eggs)…
- Safety with Pasteurized eggs: Unlike the traditional recipe that uses raw egg yolks, this version ensures safety by using the bain-marie method (hot water bath) to pasteurize the egg yolks. This eliminates concerns about Salmonella.
Related Recipes | Other essential elements for an authentic Bánh Mì
Ingredients
- Fresh Eggs: Choose large chicken eggs, as you will only need the egg yolks for this recipe. I recommend to use pasteurized eggs.
- Neutral Cooking Oil: In Vietnam, shallot oil or garlic oil is often used to add flavor to Vietnamese mayo. However, you can substitute it with neutral cooking oil and enhance the aroma by adding either garlic powder or minced fresh garlic.
- Salt
- Sugar
- Garlic/shallots (or garlic powder/onion powder)
Deal with Separated Mayo
If your Vietnamese Mayo ends up separating and doesn’t thicken properly, don’t worry! Here’s a simple solution to salvage it:
- Prepare a fresh batch of mayo following the original recipe.
- As the new batch begins to thicken, slowly pour the separated mayo into the mixture.
- Whisk the combined mixture vigorously until it is well combined and thickened.
Helpful Tips
- Using scallion oil, shallot oil or garlic oil instead of neutral oil could enhance the flavor of your Viet Mayo.
- The more oil you add, the less concentrated and the more thickened your mayo will be. You can add as much oil as desired to achieve the desired amount of mayo.
- Vietnamese Mayo has a thicker texture compared to regular mayo. It’s better suited as a spread rather than a dipping sauce.
FAQs
More Vietnamese cooking essentials
Vietnamese Mayo (Butter) for Bánh Mì | Sốt Bơ Trứng
Equipment
- 1 Sauce pan
- 1 Glass or Steel Mixing Bowl
- 1 Whisk or Handmixer
Ingredients
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 cup neutral cooking oil (250ml)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp minced garlic / minced shallots (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
Instructions
Make the garlic/shallot-infused oil (optional step)
- Mince the garlic (or shallots).
- Fry the minced garlic in oil until golden brown.
- Strain to separate the garlic from the oil.
- Allow the garlic-infused oil to cool completely.
Pasteurize the mayo (skip this step if you are using pasteurized eggs):
- For regular eggs, set up a bain-marie by placing a wide bowl over a saucepan filled with some water. Ensure only the steam touches the bowl, not the boiling water.
- Lower the heat to low once the water reaches a boil. Place the bowl with the egg yolks over the saucepan.
- While continuously whisking, once the mayo's temperature reaches 140°F (60°C), whisk for an additional 3 minutes. Then, remove the bowl of eggs from the pot.
Using a whisk:
- Slowly add a few drops of oil at a time to the egg yolks. Whisk thoroughly until the oil binds before adding more. Adding oil too quickly can cause separation.
- Keep whisking continuously and gradually add the oil. This process takes about 10-15 minutes of continuous whisking.
Using a hand-mixer:
- Use a hand-mixer with a single whisk attachment at the lowest speed. Whisk the egg yolks while gradually drizzling in the oil, ensuring continuous whisking.
- Adjust the amount of oil to your desired amount of mayo. The more oil added, the thicker and the less concentrated the mayo becomes.
Season the mayo:
- Season with salt, sugar, and garlic powder or minced fresh garlic.
- Transfer the Vietnamese Mayo to an airtight container and refrigerate. It can be stored for 3-5 days.
Nice and clear instruction, thank you so much. Could you share how to make pickled carrot?
Hello, sorry for my late response. I have already written a recipe for Đồ Chua (pickled carrot & daikon) here:
Thanks for your great recipe
really authentic one
Ngon vl
Love it thanks for sharing ♥️
Love it thanks for sharing!
This is what I’m looking for! Thanks for sharing my dear
I tried your recipe and it turned out quite nice (very identical to the one in Vietnamese market). Thank you for sharing.