Next time you make a peanut butter sandwich, skip the banana slices, grape jelly and honey. There’s a surprising ingredient Southerners have been adding to their PB sammies for decades. Here’s the scoop.
Find even more tasty ingredients you can add to a PB&J.
A Surprising Combo: Peanut Butter + Mayonnaise
Born out of Depression-era desperation, peanut butter and mayonnaise were frequently united on the same sandwich in the 1930s and 1940s. And while, to some, this may sound like a combo straight out of a kitchen nightmare, the end result is surprisingly creamy. Plus, the duo is more fattening and flavorful than either spread on its own—providing a filling meal for hungry tummies. Find more Depression-era meals here.
How to Make a Southern Peanut Butter Mayo Sandwich
If you’d like to try this retro combo in your own kitchen, give this recipe from Taste of Home’s Deputy Editor, James Schend, a try.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
- 1 slice crusty white bread
- 2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese, optional
To Make:
This open-faced sammie couldn’t be easier. Simply combine the mayo and peanut butter and stir until combined. Spread the mixture over the bread (try it either toasted or untoasted—it’s up to you!) and top with cheese, if desired.
Variations On a Classic
In addition to the peanut butter and mayo, some sandwich lovers like to add extra ingredients, such as:
- Cheese: Give your sandwich a little extra tang with some shredded cheese. Sharp cheddars, like the kind used in James’ aforementioned recipe add more flavor, while mild cheddars increase the creaminess.
- Lettuce: A big iceberg leaf 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, try adding a few bacon slices. Just make sure you pick up our Best Loved Brand.
Still hungry? Find more of our favorite old-fashioned Southern recipes.
1 / 40
Banana Pudding
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
Ham Balls with Brown Sugar Glaze
These smoky-sweet meatballs are a Pennsylvania Dutch specialty. I like setting them out when folks come to visit. —Janet Zeger, Middletown, Pennsylvania
Sweet Tea Concentrate
Sweet iced tea is a southern classic and this is a fabulous recipe for those tea lovers or for a party. The concentrate will make 20 servings. —Natalie Bremson, Plantation, Florida
Ham Salad
I first made this for a shower...everyone raved about it. Now when I go to a potluck, I take it, and copies of the recipe. —Patricia Reed, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
The recipe for these four-ingredient biscuits has been handed down for many generations. —Fran Thompson, Tarboro, North Carolina
Hush Puppies
Even if you're not sure how to make hush puppies, this recipe is easy to prepare and gives tasty results. The chopped onion adds to the great flavor of this hush puppies recipe. —Mary McGuire, Graham, North Carolina
Southern Green Beans with Apricots
Green beans and apricots have become a family tradition. Enhanced with balsamic vinegar, the flavors will make your taste buds pop. —Ashley Davis, Easley, South Carolina
Plum Upside-Down Cake
Since my husband liked pineapple upside-down cake, I decided to give this recipe a try one night when we were expecting guests for dinner. Everyone pronounced this cake "Delicious!" and asked for seconds.—Bobbie Talbott, Veneta, Oregon
Warm Pecan Cabbage Slaw
Marie Hattrup, a field editor from Sparks, Nevada, gives a new twist to this slaw, which she serves warm. The mild mustard flavor and pleasing blend of crisp-tender vegetables and toasted pecans is a nice complement to fish or ham.
Oven-Fried Green Tomato BLT
I've used this cooking method on eggplant slices for years, so I decided to try it on green tomatoes. It worked! Now my family loves them in BLTs. —Jolene Martinelli, Derry, New Hampshire
Best Deviled Eggs
Herbs lend amazing flavor, making these the best deviled eggs you can make!—Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia
Grandma Pruit's Vinegar Pie
This historic pie has been in our family for many generations and is always at all of the family get-togethers.—Suzette Pruit, Houston, Texas
Best-Ever Fried Chicken
Crispy, juicy and perfectly seasoned, this really is the best fried chicken recipe, ever. Summer reunions and neighborly gatherings will never be the same. When I was growing up, my parents had a farm, and every year, Dad would hire teenage boys to help by haying time. They looked forward to coming because they knew they would be treated to some of Mom's deep fryer recipes, including this delicious fried chicken. —Lola Clifton, Vinton, Virginia
Orange Cream Chiffon Cake
Light and luscious, this sponge cake is bursting with orange flavor. It’s the perfect dessert to serve after a filling meal, or with afternoon tea or coffee.—Faith Sommers, Bangor, California
Milk Cake
This is a simple recipe—and especially easy in a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet. The result is a deliciously light, airy cake. —Suzanne Coelman, Rabun Gap, Georgia
Soft Buttermilk Dinner Rolls
Warm, buttery dinner rolls are absolutely irresistible. I save time and use a stand mixer to make my dough. —Jennifer Patterson, Shoshone, Idaho
Copycat Chicken Salad
This recipe is incredibly easy to make, and your family will love it. The sweet pickle relish gives it its signature taste. I like to use a thick, crusty oat bread for this sandwich. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Blue-Ribbon Butter Cake
I found this buttercake recipe in an old cookbook I bought at a garage sale and couldn’t wait to try it. I knew it had been someone’s favorite because of the well-worn page. —Joan Gertz, Palmetto, Florida
Mini Chicken & Biscuit Sandwiches
My 11-year-old son, Jake, invented these sliders at dinner one night when he plunked his chicken on a biscuit. The rest of us tried it his way, and now we have them a lot. —Jodie Kolsan, Palm Coast, Florida
Creamy Sweet Corn with Okra
A bit of cream and a few crumbles of bacon lightly coat these delightful veggies the whole family will love. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Mint Julep
It wouldn't be Kentucky Derby Day without this mint julep recipe! But, really, this Kentucky Derby mint julep recipe is good anytime. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Raisin Pecan Pie
I remember my Grandmother Voltie and Great-Aunt Ophelia making this southern-style pie for Thanksgiving. It was always one of the many cakes and pies lined up for dessert. —Angie Price, Bradford, Tennessee
Coconut Chiffon Cake
Toasted coconut adds visual appeal to this tall and impressive cake. With an airy texture and heavenly coconut-ginger flavor,it's a lovely end to meals throughout the year.
Mom's Buttermilk Biscuits
These fluffy biscuits are so tasty slathered with butter or used to mop up every last drop of gravy off your plate. I can still see Mom pulling these tender gems out of the oven. —Vera Reid, Laramie, Wyoming
Chicken Salad Croissants
This 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
Fluffy Biscuits
If you're looking for a flaky basic biscuit, this recipe is the best. These golden brown rolls bake up tall, light and tender. They're good on their own, but taste even better served warm and spread with butter or jam. —Nancy Horsburgh, Everett, Ontario
Tiny Tim's Plum Pudding
In "A Christmas Carol," everyone claps for plum pudding. Our family has made this pudding our own tradition, and it really is something to clap for. —Ruthanne Karel, Hudsonville, Michigan
Okra and Butter Bean Stew
This stew is adapted from my mom's down-home Louisiana recipe, and it turns okra-haters into okra-lovers. Guaranteed. —Kaya Mack, Wichita Falls, Texas
Herb Buttermilk Dinner Rolls
When 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 Coleslaw
We 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
Spicy Applesauce Cake
This picnic-perfect cake travels and slices very well. With chocolate chips, walnuts and raisins, it's a real crowd pleaser. —Marian Platt, Sequim, Washington
Sweet Sausage Rolls
Refrigerated 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
Southern Fried Okra
Golden brown with a little fresh green showing through, these okra nuggets are crunchy and addicting! My sons like to dip them in ketchup. —Pam Duncan, Summers, Arkansas
Southern Seafood Gumbo
I tasted a similar dish at a local restaurant and later duplicated it pretty closely. I trimmed it down a bit and no one in my family seemed to mind. —Susan Wright, Champaign, Illinois
Cinnamon Fruit Biscuits
Because 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
Moist Lazy Daisy Cake
We always called this Mama's "never fail" recipe. I guess the same holds true for me, since I've entered this cake in contests and won with it. This tasty dessert is popular in our family, and it always brings back fond memories of Mama. —Carrie Bartlett, Gallatin, Tennessee
Sweet Onion Slaw Pork Wraps
Wrap up pork and savory slaw for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Enjoy sandwich-style or use a knife and fork for neater eating. —Nancy Roth, St. Joseph, Illinois
Gran's Apple Cake
My grandmother occasionally brought over this wonderful cake warm from the oven. The spicy apple flavor combined with the sweet cream cheese frosting made this dessert a treasured recipe. Even though I've lightened it up, it's still a family favorite. —Lauris Conrad, Turlock, California
Grandmother's Corn Pudding
My grandmother always served this pudding for holidays and family reunions. Everyone loves it. Corn pudding is a popular side dish on Maryland's Eastern Shore. —Susan Brown Langenstein, Salisbury, Maryland
The post The Surprising Ingredient Southerners Put on a Peanut Butter Sandwich appeared first on Taste of Home.
Katie Bandurski