The Best Substitute for Mayonnaise: 20 Top Picks (Vegan & Non-Vegan)

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Although delicious, mayo can be high in fat and calories. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, try a substitute for mayonnaise the next time you crave this ingredient and see how you like it. Check out the best options!

Summer dishes like pasta salad, potato salad, or coleslaw are not the same without mayo. This creamy ingredient has a tangy taste that works for many dishes, including warps, sandwiches, dressings, dips, and salads.

However, mayo is full of unhealthy fats, so you might be interested in a replacement to add to your diet.

Keep reading to discover the best substitute for mayonnaise; there are plenty of options for vegans or non-vegans. You can also use mayo as a substitute for butter in cookies.

Table of Contents

How is Mayonnaise Made?

Mayo is made from egg yolks, spices, and oil. First, emulsify the egg yolks with oil and then flavor with vinegar or lemon juice.

Originating from France, mayo mixes well with garlic to form aioli. It used to be a popular ingredient in the 1950s and 1960s. However, few recipes use it today due to its richness and high-fat content.

If you’re looking for a substitute for mayonnaise, go for an ingredient with the same tangy flavor and creamy texture.

The Best Substitute for Mayonnaise (Non-Vegan)

When it comes to mayo substitutes, the following non-vegan options work well:

1. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is a fantastic mayo substitute since it’s healthier. It’s full of calcium and has fewer calories. It has a similar tangy taste as mayonnaise and works well in chicken, tuna, egg salad, and homemade salad dressings.

2. Eggs

The main ingredient in mayo is eggs. So it makes sense that an egg work as a mayo substitute. It’s perfect for making sandwiches and other meals creamy.

Use a small egg since it has fewer calories than mayonnaise.

3. Aioli

Aioli is made with the same ingredients as mayo: raw eggs emulsified with oil and flavored with acid.

However, there are notable differences. For instance, mayo uses vinegar and neutral oil like canola, while aioli uses lemon juice and olive oil.

Use aioli as a substitute for mayo in sauces, dressings, and sandwiches.

4. Low-Fat Cottage Cheese

Low-fat cottage cheese has almost the same properties as yogurt. But cottage cheese is saltier than yogurt with a taste similar to mayo.

When using it as a mayo substitute, drain the cottage cheese using a cloth and blend it to a smooth consistency.

5. Cream Cheese

Cream cheese has a similar flavor profile to mayo, but it’s much thicker. It’s fantastic for wraps and sandwiches. Plus, you can dress it up with herbs like cilantro and chives.

6. Sour Cream

Sour cream has the same texture as mayo, making it an ideal replacement. It’s best to go for low-fat sour cream.

Add lemon juice or fresh herbs to bring out the tangy flavor of mayo. You can also use sour cream in coleslaw, potato salads, or chicken and tuna salads.

The other way around works, too, so you can replace sour cream with mayonnaise in baking.

7. Milk Cream

Milk cream works as a substitute for mayonnaise – just whip it into a silky and light spread. Use seasoned whipping cream and consider adding a little lemon juice to spice up the flavor.

8. Tzatziki

Tzatziki is a popular Greek blend made from cucumber, dill, garlic, and lemon, with tons of health benefits.

The spread works as a substitute for mayonnaise when you want to make a salad, wrap, or a sandwich – just stick to the 1:1 ratio.

9. Salad Dressings

Regular salad dressings work well when you want to replace mayo in wraps and sandwiches with chicken, tuna, pasta, or potato salad.

10. Butter

Butter has extra richness and works well as a substitute when your recipe calls for it, such as burgers and sandwiches. Some people prefer salted over unsalted butter, as long as you adjust the amount of salt.

The Best Substitute for Mayonnaise (Vegan)

Mayonnaise doesn’t work for someone with egg allergies or on a vegan diet. Luckily, you can use many vegan alternatives in place of mayo.

1. Avocado

Avocado is packed with nutrients and fatty acids. When blended well, you get a rich spread to use on salads, including tuna and chicken. You can also use avocado spread on sandwiches to replace mayonnaise.

2. Hummus

Made from tahini, chickpeas, garlic, and lemon juice, hummus is a popular spread in the Middle East.

It has a thicker texture and works well as a substitute for mayonnaise in sandwiches and warps. But you shouldn’t use it in dressings.

3. White Bean Dip

White bean dip is made from blended beans. It has a nutty flavor similar to hummus but slightly creamier. When using it as a mayo substitute for hummus, wraps, or sandwiches, apply the 1:1 ratio.

4. Baba Ghanoush

Baba Ghanoush is a Mediterranean condiment made by roasting and blending eggplant. It’s healthier than mayo since it’s packed full of nutrients like omega 3, iron, protein, and calcium.

The flavor is rich and earthy, so you can use it as a mayo substitute in spreads and dips. Add it to a sandwich or wrap to take advantage of its unique deep flavor.

5. Tahini Sauce

Tahini is the main ingredient in hummus. You can use it on its own or as a mayonnaise substitute for warps, dressings, and sandwiches.

To make it at home, blend 3-4 tablespoons of tahini, water, and lemon juice. Feel free to add garlic for extra flavor.

6. Olive Tapenade

Olive tapenade is made by blending olives, capers, or anchovies. The resulting spread is much saltier than mayo, so you should only use it in recipes that focus on mayo’s saltiness.

7. Pesto

Pesto is an Italian condiment made by blending pine nuts, basil, and olive oil. It’s rich in nutrients and delicious when used to replace mayo in salads and sandwiches.

8. Nut Butter

If you want a healthier alternative, you can’t go wrong with nut butter, especially in sandwiches.

9. Olive Oil

Olive oil contains healthy fatty acids. You can use it as a salad dressing (e.g. tuna salad) and to make pasta dishes creamier.

It has a significantly thinner consistency than mayo, so adjust it for your recipe accordingly. You can even use olive oil in baked goods in a 1:1 ratio to add moisture.

10. Mustard

Mustard has a more assertive flavor than mayo but still works as a substitute. It’s healthier since it has fewer calories.

Use it to make sandwiches creamier and salad dressings more flavorful.

Mustard comes in different varieties, including yellow, hot, honey, and Dijon – any type works as a substitute for mayonnaise.

Substitute for Mayonnaise (FAQ)

Discover more helpful information about mayonnaise and its substitutes:

Which is the best mayo substitute?

Use Greek yogurt to make sandwiches, mashed avocado or hummus for salads, and pesto for any dish you want to add flavor.

Which is the healthiest alternative to mayo?

Hummus, mustard, olive oil, and pesto are healthier mayo substitutes.

Why is mayonnaise bad for you?

Mayo is made from eggs and oil, which are high in fats.

Is Greek yogurt better than mayo?

Yes, Greek yogurt is better than mayonnaise since it has fewer calories and fat.

Conclusion

Mayonnaise is a common condiment when making salads, sandwiches, wraps, and other dishes. However, it’s not the healthiest of choices.

What’s more, some people don’t like the taste. That’s why you need to have alternatives.

Using a substitute for mayonnaise still gives your dish the same flavor, richness, and texture.