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My homemade mayonnaise is always a little "flat" tasting compared to commercial. Most commercial mayo includes paprika, which I do not. How does one add paprika flavor to homemade mayo without imparting an unappetizing red/orange color to the finished product?

The ingredients used in my mayonnaise are as follows:

  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1.25 cup soybean oil
  • 1.66 tbsp white vinegar
  • 1.5 tsp yellow mustard
  • 0.25 tsp powdered sugar
  • 0.5 tsp table salt
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
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    Have you tried it? Do you know for sure that will be the result? I am guessing that the labels you are reading also include many other ingredients that heighten the flavor. Can you provide a list of ingredients? That way we can help you lift the taste of your mayo without altering the color.
    – moscafj
    Oct 17, 2017 at 23:19
  • Yes, I have tried adding paprika to my mayonnaise. It definitely changes the color.
    – Isaac16
    Oct 17, 2017 at 23:21
  • Added my ingredient list
    – Isaac16
    Oct 17, 2017 at 23:28
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    Not all commercial mayonnaise lists paprika as an ingredient, though they do tend to say natural flavors. Of the two I found that do, one said "oleoresin paprika" (paprika extract), not paprika. Note that it's still a color, not just a flavor, but in the quantities it's used in, it's likely more about deepening the yellow-orange you expect from egg yolks than turning things red. (It's also used to color cheese and orange juice.) So I'm not actually sure it's your missing flavor.
    – Cascabel ♦
    Oct 18, 2017 at 6:07
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    @GdD I know, but if the quantity is only enough to provide a little hint of yellow, I'm not sure if the amount of flavor is enough that missing it would leave the mayo tasting flat, especially since not all recipes/brands seem to use it.
    – Cascabel ♦
    Oct 18, 2017 at 10:19

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My personal method for adding flavor to homemade mayonnaise is to include some flavored oil in addition to the vegetable oil. I like just a touch of chili oil (a teaspoon or so -- too much, and it gets too spicy and/or weirdly red).

Paprika-infused oil can be purchased or made at home (Google search) -- this may meet your needs, or inspire you to try other flavors. (You can also try infused vinegars!)

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