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?

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

Sources · 2