Top-down view of Smoky Maple Bacon Mayonnaise, in black bowl against a dark orange stone background
October 11, 2024

Smoky Maple Bacon Mayonnaise – Vegan

October 11, 2024

Smoky Maple Bacon Mayonnaise – Vegan

Top-down view of Smoky Maple Bacon Mayonnaise, in black bowl against a dark orange stone background

Introducing Smoky Maple Bacon Mayonnaise - the plant-based edition! A little bit smoky with a hint of maple, this mayonnaise transforms your everyday tomato sandwich into a Smoky Maple Bacon Mayo and Tomato Sandwich.

It'll work equal wonders replacing plain mayo in a potato salad - hit it out of the vegan bacon ballpark by topping your smoky bacon potato salad with some Vegan Bacon Bits

This mayo would also be the perfect foil for some french fries, or atop a baked potato...

Of course, there's no actual bacon in this recipe - we're using liquid smoke along with smoked paprika to replace the traditional bacon flavour. This is a winning combination that we also use in our popular Vegan Bacon Bits recipe. 

This recipe uses an immersion (hand) blender and the whole process takes about 5 minutes. If you've never made mayonnaise, let me reassure you that it's probably easier than you think. Check out the cheater method if you don't have an immersion blender.

Ingredients

Ingredients for Smoky Maple Bacon Mayonnaise - Vegan. Smoked paprika, maple syrup, liquid smoke, sunflower oil, lemon juice, dijon mustard, and aquafaba
  • Aquafaba: Traditional mayonnaise recipes are made with eggs. Since this is a plant-based mayonnaise, I'm using aquafaba instead.   Aquafaba, meaning "bean water," is the liquid from the can of cooked chickpeas, or from cooking chickpeas, or other beans
  • Sunflower oil: I like using sunflower oil as it has a neutral flavour. You can use any neutral-flavoured oil that you like. I don't recommend olive oil, as the blending required makes the oil bitter. Some people use avocado oil in this recipe, but it will impact the end result.
  • Lemon juice: I used fresh lemon juice. You could substitute with white vinegar if necessary.
  • Dijon mustard: This recipe uses only a small amount of mustard, but don't leave it out as it helps to emulsify (bind together) the ingredients in the mayonnaise.
  • Liquid smoke: Liquid smoke is vegan – it’s essentially a distillation of the smoke and steam from burning wood. Be cautious when you use liquid smoke, a little bit goes a long way! For this recipe, I used a hickory-smoke as it's closest to real bacon flavour. Look for liquid smoke in the condiment section of your grocery store.
  • Maple syrup: Any kind of pure maple syrup will work. 
  • Smoked paprika: This adds another smoky undertone.
  • Salt: A little bit of salt helps lift all of the flavours.

With Liquid Smoke, a little bit goes a long way! 

What is liquid smoke? 

What does it taste like?

It tastes smoky, of course! But the flavour will depend on the type of wood that’s used. Common flavours are hickory, mesquite, and pecan.

Where can I buy liquid smoke? 

You can find liquid smoke in the condiment section of most well-stocked grocery stores.

How do I use It in cooking?

Try it in chili, stir fries, marinades, and condiments like this mayonnaise recipe. Or use it wherever you want to add a grilled or charcoal element to a dish. 

is liquid smoke vegan?

Yes! Many brands contain only water and smoke. The smoke comes from burning wood. 

Using an immersion blender to make mayonnaise

I used an immersion blender, also known as a hand blender, for this recipe. The speed of the blades, in combination with the tall slender shape of the jar, helps the mayonnaise blend (emulsify). If you don't have an immersion blender, you can follow the recipe for our Simple Vegan Mayonnaise, which we made in a regular jug blender. This method works as well, but it's a bit trickier to get it right. 

An immersion blender and a blending container. For best results when making mayonnaise with an immersion blender, use a tall, narrow container that is just big enough to put the blender in.

Visual Overview: Making Smoky Maple Bacon Mayonnaise 

Notes:

Step 1: Blend ingredients with small quantity of oil

In a tall narrow container, add 6 tablespoons of oil, the aquafaba, mustard, lemon juice, liquid smoke, smoked paprika,  maple syrup, and salt. 

Top-down view of ingredients for Smoky Maple Bacon Mayonnaise in a tall measuring cup

Making Smoky Maple Bacon Mayonnaise

Blend for about 45 seconds until all ingredients are combined.

Top-down view of Smoky Maple Bacon Mayonnaise in a tall measuring cup, after the initial blending

Making Smoky Maple Bacon Mayonnaise

Step 2: Slowly add remaining oil

Pour in about a teaspoon of oil and blend for about 20 seconds. Repeat about 5-6 times until you can see the mayonnaise getting thicker. 

Top-down view of blended ingredients for Smoky Maple Bacon Mayonnaise in a tall measuring cup

Smoky Maple Bacon Mayonnaise in a tall measuring cup

When it's thicker you can increase the amount that you pour in each time to about a tablespoon. Continue adding oil and blending after each addition until all of the oil is incorporated and the mayonnaise is thick. 

Top-down view of spoon with Smoky Maple Bacon Mayonnaise on top of a measuring cup

Smoky Maple Bacon Mayonnaise - Vegan

Taste the mayonnaise. If all of the flavours need a lift add a pinch more salt and stir. If you think it needs more smoky flavour, add the liquid smoke a drop at a time.

Close up view of Smoky Maple Bacon Mayo in a black rustic bowl

Ideas for using Smoky Maple Bacon Mayonnaise

  • Tomato sandwich! Toast your favourite bread, smear with mayo, top with lettuce and the juiciest tomatoes you can find. 
  • Potato salad: Swap out Smoky Bacon Mayo for plain mayo. Add some Vegan Bacon Bits
  • Chickpea salad: Add a couple tablespoons to some cooked chickpeas. 
  • Burgers:  Smear on a burger bun, top with your favourite burger or burger replacement. 
  •  Perogies: Use it to sauce up some perogies
  • French fries: Pair crispy oven fries with some mayo for a tasty appetizer or casual side dish. 
  • Baked potatoes: Add a dollop!
Serving suggestion for Smoky Maple Bacon Mayonnaise - a tomato, lettuce, and mayo sandwich.

Related Recipes

Recipe Card

Smoky Maple Bacon Mayonnaise - (Vegan)

Prep Time 5 minutes
This plant-based bacon mayonnaise is smoky with a hint of maple. Use it to transform sandwiches, burgers, and wraps; as a topping for potatoes or perogies; or as a condiment with french fries. Make it in 5 minutes with an immersion blender, or even faster with the "cheater" version.
Servings 16 tablespoons
Calories 123 kcal
Author Sylvia

Ingredients

Immersion Blender Method

  • 1 cup neutral-flavoured oil (we used Sunflower oil)
  • 6 tablespoons aquafaba (this is the liquid from canned/cooked beans, such as chickpeas). This is the egg replacer in the recipe.
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke If you haven't used liquid smoke before, considering adding 1/4 teaspoon first and then adding more.
  • pinch salt

Cheater Method

  • 1 cup commercial mayonnaise of choice
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke If you haven't used liquid smoke before, considering adding 1/4 teaspoon first and then adding more.
  • pinch salt

Instructions

Immersion Blender Method

  • In a tall, narrow container, add the aquafaba, 6 tablespoons of the oil, and the remaining ingredients. Using an immersion blender, blend for about 45 seconds until the ingredients are blended and bubbly.
  • Add a teaspoon of oil and blend again for about 20 seconds, until incorporated.
  • Repeat adding a teaspoon at a time and blending until the mayonnaise starts to thicken. Once thickened, you can add more oil at once - about a tablespoon. You can gradually add more each time until all of the oil is incorporated.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. If all the flavours need a lift, add a pinch of salt and stir in. If you want to make the mayo more smoky, add liquid smoke a drop at a time.

Cheater Method

  • Put all ingredients together in a small bowl and mix until well-combined.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. If all the flavours need a lift, add a pinch of salt and stir in. If you want to make the mayo more smoky, add liquid smoke a drop at a time

Notes

Storage

Store the mayonnaise in a well-sealed container in the fridge for 5-7 days. 

Using a jug blender instead of an immersion blender

You could also make this mayonnaise using a jug blender. See the instructions in Simple Vegan Mayonnaise with Aquafaba

Nutritional Information

Nutritional information is an estimate only. 

Nutrition

Calories: 123kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.03g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 5mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 62IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.03mg

Courses, Cuisines, and Keywords

Course
condiment
Cuisine
American
Keywords
bacon mayonnaise
|
vegan bacon mayonnaise

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Hello!


We're creating a course: Baby Steps to Plant-Based Eating

Yes, seriously. Trying a plant-based diet can be overwhelming and we'd like to help. 

This course is for you if: 

  • you're curious about plant-based eating, but don't know where to start 
  • you have family or friends who eat plant-based and you'd like to be able to cook for them
  • you've dabbled with plant-based cooking, but would like to expand your repertoire 

Baby Steps to Plant-Based Eating will: 

  • answer your pressing questions
  • cultivate your confidence 
  • arm you with recipes

Want to learn more?  

Join our email list for updates about the course launch. You'll also get priority access to new recipes, and other subscriber privileges.