Problembeginnerdraft
Mayonnaise splits
Also searched as: runny mayo, mayo splits, mayonnaise won't thicken, broken mayonnaise
In short: The oil droplets have run together. Almost always the oil went in too fast or was whisked too weakly.
Picture it
Like a game of Tetris where the blocks fall too fast: at some point nothing fits.
What happened in your kitchen?
Question 1
How did you add the oil?
All causes, by frequency
- Oil added too fast
The oil cannot be broken into enough small droplets and coated.
Next time: Put a fresh yolk in a clean bowl · Whisk in the split mixture drop by drop
- Whisked too weakly
The droplets stay too big and run together.
Next time: Whisk harder · Use a stick blender or food processor
- Too much oil for one yolk
At some point there is too little water to take up more droplets. The mayo turns stiff and splits.
Next time: Stir in a few drops of water or lemon juice · Only then add more oil
Related entries
Sources
- America’s Test Kitchen: How to make mayonnaise
- Harold McGee: On Food and Cooking (2004), Kapitel Saucen, Eier