Mayonnaise Substitute (26 Healthy & Convenient Alternatives)

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Mayonnaise is a great condiment that goes well with just about anything, but it’s also a popular ingredient for many recipes. Maybe you don’t happen to have any on hand. Or you’re looking for healthy vegan alternatives. Fortunately, there are plenty of great mayonnaise substitutes. Some other options are better for different uses than others, though, so we’ll run through the details for each.

26 Substitutes You Can Use in Place of Mayo

1: Olive Oil

Oil is actually one of the main ingredients of mayonnaise, so it’s not surprising that Olive Oil makes a decent substitute for mayo. Olive oil is often the oil of choice for making homemade mayonnaise as well.

Olive oil contains a lot of healthy fats and is also vegan-friendly. If you’re looking for a healthy mayonnaise alternative and don’t mind the flavor difference, olive oil is a good choice that will help add moisture and some creaminess.

Pickle juice mixed in can add a little zing to help perk up the olive oil flavor profile.

Vegan:

    • Yes

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For: 

    • Pasta, Potato, Tuna, Chicken, Egg Salad
    • Slaw
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

Olive oil will obviously have a different flavor profile to mayonnaise despite being one of the main ingredients of mayo itself. It will go a long way toward adding moisture and helping achieve a creamy texture, though.

2: Sour Cream

Sour cream is an excellent replacement for mayonnaise. Especially if you’re trying to match the texture. It has a very similar creaminess to mayonnaise while actually being more healthy.

Sour cream has a slightly tangy flavor, although not the same as mayo. Adding a little lemon juice or herbs will help punch up the flavor if plain sour cream isn’t flavorful enough for you.

Vegan:

    • No

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For:

    • Pasta, Potato, Tuna, Chicken, Egg Salad
    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads/li>
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

For a healthier choice, you can use low-fat sour cream.
If it’s too thick, you can thin it out with a bit of milk.

3: Greek Yogurt

Like Sour Cream, Greek Yogurt has a similar texture, although slightly thicker than mayonnaise and not as moist. It does have a bit of tang to it, but it is obviously different from mayo.

Greek yogurt is essentially just regular yogurt that has been strained to remove whey and lactose. This does make it a good choice for those that have issues with regular yogurt.

Vegan:

    • No

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For: 

    • Pasta, Potato, Tuna, Chicken, Egg Salad
    • Slaw
    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

Greek yogurt won’t quite have the same moistness as mayonnaise, so you may need to thin it for some uses, like salad dressings or things like egg salad. Water or milk will thin it well, although you may want to add a little lemon to punch up the flavor.

4: Mustard

Many of the mayonnaise substitutes have less flavor kick than mayo, but not this one. Mustard will obviously be a much more intensely flavored alternative, but there are many different types of mustard to choose from. 

Mustard has a very similar consistency to mayo which makes it a common choice in many recipes.

Mustard is a much lighter and healthier alternative to mayo since most are very low calorie and have zero fat.

Vegan:

    • Yes, except Honey Mustard and Dijon Mustards

Egg Free:

    • Yes, except possibly Dijon and some other unique Mustards

Great For: 

    • Potato, Chicken, Egg Salad
    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

If you’re not looking to completely eliminate mayonnaise, mustard is a great option to mix into your mayo to make it more healthy and give it some kick.

The salt content in mustard can be high, and some mustards like honey mustard can have a lot more calories than mayo though most are significantly lower.

5: Aioli

Aioli is very similar to mayonnaise. Essentially, it is just a type of mayonnaise. Aioli is made from egg yolk, olive oil, and vinegar, while mayonnaise isn’t limited to a specific kind of oil. Also, the acidic ingredient can be either vinegar or lemon juice. It’s common to see some flavored mayonnaises labeled as aioli in the supermarket.

Aioli is an excellent choice if you have some around but don’t have any mayo.

Vegan:

    • No

Egg Free:

    • No

Great For: 

    • Pasta, Potato, Tuna, Chicken, Egg Salad
    • Slaw
    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

Since aioli is essentially mayonnaise, there really aren’t any health benefits to this choice. For those that don’t have mayo and need some, it’s a perfect choice.

6: Cream Cheese

Similar to mayonnaise in a lot of ways, cream cheese is a tasty alternative to mayo. It obviously has a more paste-like consistency that may need to be thinned with a bit of milk, depending on your needs. It has a vaguely similar flavor profile, but it isn’t the best choice if you’re looking for a healthy option.

Vegan:

    • No

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For: 

    • Pasta, Potato, Tuna, Chicken, Egg Salad
    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

Cream cheese is a good option that is healthier than mayonnaise. It isn’t necessarily “healthy,” though. But it is more beneficial than mayo with fewer calories.

7: Hummus

Hummus is a slightly less moist alternative to mayo with quite a different flavor profile. Since hummus is primarily sesame seed and chickpea-based, it has a nuttier taste. It doesn’t work as well in all the same scenarios as mayonnaise, but it’s an excellent choice for the ones that it does.

Vegan:

    • Yes

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For: 

    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments

Keep In Mind:

A healthier alternative to mayo with more protein and fiber and fewer calories, less fat, and less sodium.

8: Tahini

Tahini is primarily a spread made from sesame seeds. It’s the main ingredient in hummus, but on its own, it has a thinner and more mayo-like consistency than the thicker hummus spread. The sesame flavor is excellent, although obviously nothing like mayonnaise.

Vegan:

    • Yes

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For: 

    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Pasta, Potato, Tuna, Chicken, Egg Salad
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

While not great for a replacement to mayonnaise in every scenario due to the very different flavor, it’s a healthier alternative that can add moisture and creaminess.

9: Avocado

Avocado is one of the best alternatives to mayo and a popular recommended alternative. It’s much healthier, loaded with healthy fats, doesn’t need anything to create a similar consistency, and while different from mayonnaise in flavor, its own flavor mixes well with most things.

Vegan:

    • Yes

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For: 

    • Pasta, Potato, Tuna, Chicken, Egg Salad
    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

If you’re unfamiliar with avocados, you should know that it turns brown very quickly when exposed to oxygen in the air. While this is more offputting visually than anything, it’s best to keep avocados on hand and mash them when needed. Adding lemon juice helps slow the reaction if you’re hoping to make it last a little longer before turning.

10: Pesto

Another very popular alternative that many suggest to mayonnaise is pesto. Pesto is made from basil, olive oil, pine nuts, and garlic. Its consistency is similar due to the amount of olive oil used.

Vegan:

    • Yes (If parmesan isn’t an ingredient)

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For: 

    • Pasta, Potato, Tuna, Chicken, Egg Salad
    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

Pesto tends to be thinner than mayonnaise. You may want to consider adding ingredients to thicken it slightly, depending on your needs.

Also, some pestos may contain parmesan. I personally love this, but if you’re vegan, you should keep this in mind when shopping for a pesto.

11: Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is one of the more mayonnaise-like substitutes available. It doesn’t have a very similar consistency off-the-shelf, but its flavor profile is much closer than many other options while being a very healthy alternative.

Vegan:

    • No

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For: 

    • Pasta, Potato, Tuna, Chicken, Egg Salad
    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

To get this protein-packed alternative to a more similar consistency to mayo, you can put it in your blender to turn it into a smoother paste if necessary.

12: Silken Tofu

Silken tofu is a high water content version of tofu that needs to be blended or pureed to make a spread out of it. Once pureed, the consistency is quite close to mayonnaise. 

Tofu is quite bland itself. Vinegar or lemon juice and a little salt will help add some flavor and help it mimic a more mayo-like taste.

Vegan:

    • Yes

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For: 

    • Pasta, Potato, Tuna, Chicken, Egg Salad
    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

Tofu is a healthy alternative to mayonnaise but lacks flavor. While vinegar and salt can help it taste more like mayonnaise, you can get creative and add many other elements if you like.

13: Cashew Cream

Cashew cream is easy to make by soaking raw cashews overnight in water and pureeing them the next day. Like silken tofu, the flavor of cashew cream is very neutral, so it can be easily adjusted. Just add a little vinegar and salt for a more mayo-like flavor profile.

Vegan:

    • Yes

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For: 

    • Pasta, Potato, Tuna, Chicken, Egg Salad
    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

Cashew cream is a DIY solution. It’s not something you often find for sale preprepared.

14: Eggs

Eggs are an ingredient of mayonnaise and help give it its unique flavor. As a substitute for mayo, eggs are good. But not as flexible as some of the other options on this list. A hard-boiled egg can be sliced and added to a sandwich, but it isn’t going to provide the same creaminess and moisture, obviously. You could use raw eggs to make your own mayonnaise. Or you could puree hard-boiled eggs to create a creamier texture.

Vegan:

    • Yess

Egg Free:

    • No (It’s literally eggs!)

Great For: 

    • Making your own mayonnaise from scratch
    • Topping for sandwiches
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

Eggs will require some preparation to be a decent mayo alternative. If you have raw eggs, vinegar or lemon juice, and oil, you could even make your own mayonnaise.

15: Hollandaise

If healthy isn’t what you’re going for, hollandaise is what you want. Hollandaise is very similar to mayonnaise though it is not as healthy. Not that mayo is considered healthy.

Hollandaise delivers when it comes to flavor. Isn’t that always the case with the less healthy alternatives? It does because it exchanges the ingredient of oil in mayonnaise for butter. Otherwise, the ingredients are the same.

Vegan:

    • No

Egg Free:

    • No

Great For: 

    • Pasta, Potato, Tuna, Chicken, Egg Salad
    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

Generally, a less healthy option unless you’re on a keto diet or other high-fat diet. Essentially the same as mayonnaise, except it uses butter in place of oil.

16: Tzatziki

Tzatziki is a greek sauce or dressing made primarily from yogurt and includes cucumber, dill, garlic, and lemon. Sometimes mint is included as well. The flavor is unique and refreshing while still being creamy like mayo. While the taste is quite different from mayonnaise, the texture is very similar, and it works very well as a refreshing alternative.

Vegan:

    • No

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For: 

    • Pasta, Potato, Tuna, Chicken, Egg Salad
    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

A very unique and flavorful alternative to mayonnaise.

17: Whipped Cream

I usually think of whipped cream as a topping on desserts, but homemade whip cream that doesn’t contain any sweeteners can be a great spread or ingredient to replace mayonnaise. Its consistency is much lighter, and you can add a little lemon juice or salt to adjust the flavor.

Vegan:

    • No

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For: 

    • Pasta, Potato, Tuna, Chicken, Egg Salad
    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

Store-bought whipped cream may contain added sweeteners, but homemade whipped cream will work very well as a very light alternative to mayo.

18: Salad Dressings

Probably the most compelling alternative to mayonnaise is salad dressings. The options are almost endless. You likely have a few options in your fridge, which makes it a convenient choice.

Vegan:

    • Depends on your choice

Egg Free:

    • Depends on your choice

Great For: 

    • Pasta, Potato, Tuna, Chicken, Egg Salad
    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

Salad dressings are usually quite strong in flavor, so you may want to be a little less liberal than you would with mayonnaise.

19: Butter

Popular on toast, you might not have considered butter as an alternative to mayonnaise. Butter is often considered a secret weapon in the kitchen. Fat gives foods their fantastic flavor, and butter is essentially condensed milk fat.

Vegan:

    • No

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For: 

    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

Not considered a healthy choice, but a good pick for those on a high-fat diet like the keto diet.

20: White Bean Dip

You can essentially think of white bean dip like hummus. It is very similar in a lot of ways, including its consistency and flavor. It’s ideal as a sandwich or wrap spread and also as a great dip on its own.

Vegan:

    • No

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For: 

    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

Very similar to hummus.

21: Baba Ghanoush

I used to confuse hummus and baba ghanoush all the time, but they really are very different in flavor. Hummus uses a base of chickpeas, while baba ghanoush uses a roasted eggplant base.

Eggplant is very healthy and makes an excellent mayo alternative. It is a bit moister than hummus, and I personally prefer its flavor.

Vegan:

    • No

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For: 

    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

A very healthy mayonnaise substitute with a similar consistency. Made from roasted eggplant, it has a great flavor though it is very different than mayo.

22: Olive Tapenade

For a radically different flavor, you can try an olive tapenade. It works well as a spread but has a very salty and robust taste. 

Vegan:

    • Sometimes (can contain anchovies)

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For: 

    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

Olive tapenade has a powerful flavor, so it’s wise to use it sparingly.

23: Cashew Cheese

Cashew cheese is a unique and impressive food. It’s a vegan replacement for cheese, and it manages to replicate a cheese-like flavor by incorporating yeast. While not tasting anything like mayonnaise, it is a healthy alternative that can be used by vegans to create a flavorful alternative to foods commonly topped with mayonnaise.

Vegan:

    • Yes

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For: 

    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

A wise choice to check out for vegans but not particularly mayo-like.

24: Nut Butters

Like salad dressings, there are a plethora of nut butters to choose from. Flavor profiles can run the gamut so you can get creative with your choices and create some interesting combinations.

Vegan:

    • Yes

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For: 

    • Sandwich or Wrap Spreads
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

There are plenty of nut butter variations available to choose from. You’ll want to experiment with a few to find the right fit.

25: Off-The-Shelf Vegan Mayonnaise

If you’re not in a pinch, you may want to consider vegan mayonnaise if you’re looking for a healthier option but love traditional mayonnaise.

Vegan:

    • Yes

Egg Free:

    • Yes

Great For: 

    • Pasta, Potato, Tuna, Chicken, Egg Salad
    • Slaw
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

Ideal for vegans or want a healthier mayonnaise that is as close to the original as possible.

26: Miracle Whip

This really isn’t an alternative. Miracle Whip is, for all intents and purposes, mayonnaise. It technically doesn’t meet the definition of mayonnaise, though, because the oil content is too low. It also is a little zestier than traditional mayo.

Vegan:

    • No

Egg Free:

    • No

Great For: 

    • Pasta, Potato, Tuna, Chicken, Egg Salad
    • Slaw
    • Ingredient for Dips
    • Ingredient for Condiments
    • Ingredient for Salad Dressings

Keep In Mind:

It’s really just mayo but doesn’t quite meet the technical definition of mayo.

What is the Tastiest Mayonnaise Substitute?

This is really going to depend on what you are cooking or eating. Overall, most people will prefer mustard or aioli on a sandwich, sometimes even nut butter as a delicious mayonnaise substitute. You can simply use oil to make things a little healthier in items like chicken salad or tuna. Virgin Olive Oil will be the lowest in fat and calories and still have great flavor.

Sauces are their own category since mayonnaise is used in so many sauces to add thickness and flavor. Little accouterments like garlic and spices, as well as an additional condiment or two, will taste great and not leave you missing mayonnaise.

Other popular foods like crab cakes and similar recipes will call for cashew cream as the best mayonnaise substitute. You could also use hummus or simply olive oil and still maintain great flavor. Again, these options are healthier and still taste amazing.

What is the Healthiest Mayonnaise Substitute?

The people have spoken, and they all seem to agree that Greek Yogurt is the healthiest and best-tasting substitute for mayonnaise. Using Greek Yogurt will have the same texture and creaminess as mayo and will also still be delicious. Healthy, nutritious, and tasty, you cannot go wrong.

Other healthy options are avocado, hummus, low-fat cottage cheese, Tzatziki sauce, and simply use an egg. These are all delicious as well as healthy substitutes that will meet your needs. Of course, everything will come down to your own personal taste, but these options should help get you started.

What's the Best Vegan Mayonnaise?

There are many name-brand vegan mayonnaise substitutes out there. Here are the top eight people recommend.

Just Mayo is the fan-favorite based on reviews, but you cannot go wrong with any of these brands.

How to make your own Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is surprisingly quite simple to make at home. There are plenty of recipes with lots of little variations available online and I recommend you check a few out to get a good idea of the different ideas. To get you started though, below is a basic homemade mayo recipe.

Simple Mayonnaise Recipe

Ingredients

    • 1 egg yolk (large, room temperature)
    • 3/4 cup canola oil
    • 2 tsp vinegar of your choice (try apple cider or rice wine vinegar)
    • 1 tsp cold water
    • 1/4 tsp salt
    • 1 pinch pepper

Steps

    1. Mix all of the ingredients except the canola oil together
    2. Place an immersion blender in the mixture 
    3. Blend in the canola oil by very slowly pouring it in with the blender on
    4. Continue until all the oil is added or the mixture has the consistency you prefer

Final Thoughts on Mayonnaise Alternatives

There is a vast world of substitutes for mayonnaise out there for you to try.  We’ve tried to cover every possible mayonnaise substitute, but there are many more options than we can imagine. Creative folks will surely come up with some even more unique ideas.

In this list, we have included healthy, vegan, closely related, and radically different options. We hope that somewhere on this list you’ve gotten inspired and found a unique and tasty solution to substituting mayonnaise for whatever purpose you may have needed to substitute it.

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