The most unusual Southern recipe out there? It has to be the peanut butter and mayo sandwich.
Peanut Butter and Mayo: How to Make This Iconic Southern Sandwich
Updated on Dec. 13, 2023
The peanut butter and mayo sandwich is having a moment right now. People are either intrigued or repulsed by the combo of salty peanut butter and tango mayo. I was certainly curious about how this combination would taste—but also about where it came from in the first place.
It turns out peanut butter and mayo was a popular sandwich from the 1930s to 1960s, due in large part to the Great Depression. The peanut butter and mayonnaise combo was a cheap, calorie-packed option for many families in the South.
Why Peanut Butter and Mayo?
During the Great Depression, many Southerners in the United States relied on this budget-friendly sandwich. They were once as popular as a peanut butter and jelly! Newspapers from the 1940s advised using just enough peanut butter and mayonnaise to form a “spreadable consistency.”
Find more unusual peanut butter sandwich recipes, like the Elvis sandwich—which is similar to this banana sandwich.
How to Make a Peanut Butter and Mayo Sandwich
This Southern Peanut Butter Mayo Sandwich is one that you can really adjust to fit your preferences. Want more mayo? Spread it on. Prefer more peanut butter? Make it happen!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
- 2 slices white bread
Editor’s Tip: This basic bread recipe makes the perfect sandwich bread.
Directions
Spread a layer of mayonnaise on one slice of bread and peanut butter on the other. Press the sandwich together to serve.
Variations on the Classic Recipe
In addition to the peanut butter and mayo, some sandwich lovers add extra ingredients.
Cheese
Give your sandwich extra kick with some shredded cheese. Sharp cheddars add more flavor, while mild cheddars increase the creaminess.
Lettuce
A big leaf of iceberg lettuce adds crispness and helps cut through the heaviness of the sandwich spread. It’s also very cost-effective.
Bacon
For an extra hit of protein, add a few slices of bacon. Just make sure you pick up our Test Kitchen’s preferred brand of bacon.
What Does a Peanut Butter and Mayo Sandwich Taste Like?
I won’t be making peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwiches often, but I must say, I enjoyed this Southern sandwich more than I thought I would. The classic taste of white bread with peanut butter can’t be beat, and the added mayo gave the sandwich a tang I’ve never experienced before.
I personally didn’t mind the lack of texture—but a couple pickle slices wouldn’t hurt!
Looking for more Southern classics? Try a pineapple sandwich!
Old-Fashioned Recipes for Southern Food
I didn’t see my son, Lance Corporal Eric Harris, for more than two years after he enlisted in the Marines after high school. And when I first saw him at the airport last fall, I just grabbed hold of him and busted out crying. Back home, the first thing he ate was two bowls of my easy banana pudding recipe. He’s a true Southern boy! It’s a dessert, but you can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Stephanie Harris, Montpelier, Virginia
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Kentucky Butter CakeLook no further than Kentucky butter cake for a fluffy, buttery cake with an excellent crumb and a vanilla-almond butter sauce that permeates every bite.
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Chicken Salad CroissantsThis tempting chicken salad that gets its special taste from Swiss cheese and pickle relish. It's a favorite of my brother, who insists I make it whenever he visits. —Laura Koziarski, Battle Creek, Michigan
Biscuits with ShorteningFlaky, fluffy and buttery—biscuits with shortening are the perfect companion for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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Okra StewA Southern staple, okra will become a regular ingredient in your kitchen too, once you try this okra stew. After you have the recipe down, you'll find countless ways to make it your own.
Herb Buttermilk Dinner RollsWhen I couldn't find a recipe for dinner rolls, I created my own using a variety of herbs for extra flavor. —Sue Friesen, Thorold, Ontario
Shrimp with Warm German-Style ColeslawWe love anything that is tangy or has bacon. With fennel and tarragon, this is a super savory dish. I use the medley from Minute Rice if I don't have time to make my own. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Applesauce CakeThis applesauce cake recipe is moist, delicious and perfect for any day. The cake features plump raisins, as well as walnuts and the perfect combination of cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon to spice things up.
Sweet Sausage RollsRefrigerated dough makes these appetizers a snap to prepare. Sausage gives them a little smoky heat, while honey and brown sugar lend a touch of sweetness. It all adds up to a finger food that's downright addicting! —Lori Cabuno, Canfield, Ohio
Fried OkraCrispy, crunchy and absolutely delightful. It's hard to stop eating fried okra once you pop a few of these tasty bites!
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Cinnamon Fruit BiscuitsBecause these sweet treats are so easy, I'm almost embarrassed when people ask me for the recipe. They're a snap to make with refrigerated buttermilk biscuits, sugar, cinnamon and your favorite fruit preserves. —Ione Burham, Washington, Iowa
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Gran’s Apple CakeMy grandmother occasionally brought over this wonderful cake warm from the oven. The spicy apple flavor combined with the sweet cream cheese frosting made this recipe one that we treasured. Even though I've lightened it up, it's still a family favorite. —Lauris Conrad, Turlock, California
Corn PuddingThis sweetheart of a side is delicious, rich and perfect on a weeknight table or as part of a holiday spread. If you want to step up your side dish game, this triple-corn pudding is an excellent choice.
