Peanut Butter and Mayo Sandwich

People are either intrigued or repulsed by the peanut butter and mayo sandwich. I was certainly curious about how this combination of salty and tangy would taste—but also about where it came from in the first place.

It turns out that peanut butter and mayo was a popular sandwich combo from the 1930s to the 1960s, largely due to the Great Depression. During this period, many Southerners in the United States relied on this cheap, calorie-packed sandwich—which was even as popular as peanut butter and jelly! Newspapers from the 1940s advised using just enough peanut butter and mayonnaise to form a “spreadable consistency.”

Ingredients for Peanut Butter and Mayo Sandwich

• Mayonnaise: Any mayonnaise currently in your fridge will do, but Southerners will tell you that the best mayonnaise is Dukes. But many people prefer Miracle Whip over mayonnaise for this sandwich in particular, since it’s sweeter and pairs better with the peanut butter.
• Peanut butter: Use your favorite peanut butter brand here. No-stir is great, but if you only have natural, just make sure to give it a really good mix beforehand. Go with your preference. This sandwich is definitely soft (not a bad thing!), so use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer more texture.
• White bread: The uncontested best bread for this sandwich is white bread. It’s soft and mild in flavor, which lets the peanut butter and mayo really shine. If you like a sturdier bread use sourdough. Just know it will impart a little bit of tang.

Directions

Step 1: Spread the condiments

Spread 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on one slice of bread.

Spread 1 tablespoon of peanut butter on the other slice of bread.

Editor’s Tip: Make sure to reach the edges!

Step 2: Assemble the sandwiches

Press the sandwich halves together. Cut the sandwich in half (diagonally tastes best!) and serve.

Recipe Variations

• Give it some crunch: Many people swear by adding pickles to this sandwich to add a refreshing crunch, and to lean into the tang. If that feels too adventurous, a big leaf of iceberg lettuce adds crispness and cuts through the spread’s heaviness.
• Add cheese: One of our favorite iterations of the Southern peanut butter and mayo sandwich is to add cheese for a savory kick. Sharp cheddars add more flavor, while mild cheddars make the sandwich creamier.
• Layer in the bacon: For extra protein, a little crunch and a nice saltiness, add a few slices of bacon. I always like to bake bacon, so there’s less mess than cooking in a frying pan.
• Lean into the sweetness: In the 1960s-era ad from Skippy and Hellman’s, they suggest a “pineapple topper” variation with fresh pineapple and a maraschino cherry. It certainly makes the sandwich sweeter, if you’re into that.

Peanut Butter and Mayo Sandwich Tips

What do you serve with a peanut butter and mayo sandwich?

Serve a peanut butter and mayo sandwich with the best sides for a sandwich. Since the sandwich is soft and rich, pair it with a crunchy, bright sides like Caesar salad, good potato chips, cucumber salad (with watermelon and feta), or carrot ribbon salad. Dill pickles are another great side for this sandwich, as are marinated green beans and savory cracker snack mix.

Can you make a peanut butter and mayo sandwich in advance?

Yes, you can make a peanut butter and mayo sandwich in advance, but I wouldn’t recommend doing so more than a few hours ahead. It’s like a PB&J: Fresh is best, although you can certainly assemble it in the morning to enjoy it come lunchtime. Otherwise, the bread will get soggy.

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 that 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 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!