An increasing number of people are choosing to follow plant-based diets, but there are some foods that are difficult to give up. One of these is mayonnaise. While there are many vegan alternatives available, it is not clear whether these are any healthier than the egg-based versions. In this article, we will compare the two types of mayonnaise in terms of their healthiness.
What is vegan mayo made of?
We need to investigate the ingredients in vegan mayo to see if it is a healthier option. The recipe for vegan mayo usually contains vegetable oil and vinegar.
Here is a detailed breakdown of ingredients commonly found in vegan mayo:
Vegetable oil
The type of oil used to make vegan mayonnaise varies depending on the brand. Some popular choices include rapeseed oil, soybean oil, and olive oil. Rapeseed oil is often used because it is one of the most commonly available oils. Sunflower oil is another popular choice for vegan mayo.
Spirit Vinegar
In a nutshell, this is your typical vinegar but with a greater concentration of acetic acid. It is typically produced from sugar cane and undergoes a double fermentation process.
Apple Cider Vinegar
The vinegar is made from apples and yeast. The yeast ferments the sugar in the apples and turns it into alcohol. The bacteria turn the alcohol into acetic acid, which is vinegar.
Aquafaba
The water from cooked or soaked chickpeas can be used as a replacement for eggs.
Yellow Mustard Flour
Yellow mustard powder is made by grinding mustard seeds from specific plants into a powder. It has a good flavour and is also used as a binding agent.
Sweetener
The majority of vegan mayonnaises contain a sweetener, which is commonly either sugar or natural sweeteners like brown rice syrup or agave syrup.
Other ingredients
The ingredients in more popular brands of vegan mayo include natural colorings and flavorings, preservatives (citric acid, Calcium Disodium EDTA), and thickeners, usually in the form of wheat flour or an alternative flour.
Refer to the table below for a full list of ingredients of the most popular vegan mayo brands:
VEGAN MAYO
INGREDIENTS
Hellmann’s Vegan Mayo
rapeseed oil (72%), water, spirit vinegar, sugar, salt, modified maize starch, natural flavouring (contains MUSTARD), lemon juice concentrate, antioxidant (calcium disodium EDTA), colour (paprika extract)
Follow Your Heart Original Vegenaise
Expeller-Pressed Rapeseed Oil (67%), Filtered Water, Brown Rice Syrup, Apple Cider Vinegar, Soya Protein (1%), Sea Salt, Mustard Flour, Lemon Juice Concentrate
Heinz Vegan Seriously Good Mayonnaise
Rapeseed Oil 72%, Water, Spirit Vinegar, Sugar, Salt, Modified Starch, Natural Flavouring, Antioxidant (Calcium Disodium EDTA)
LEON – Mayonnaise
Rapeseed Oil (59%), Water, Cider Vinegar (8.2%), Sugar, Salt, Citrus Fibre, Faba Bean Protein (0.70%), Yellow Mustard Flour,Stabiliser (Guar Gum)
Biona Egg Free Mayonnaise
sunflower oil*, vinegar*, rapseed oil*, glucose syrup*, olive oil*, rice starch*, sea salt, onion powder*, mustard seeds* (yellow), apple vinegar*, citric acid*, xanthan gum*, agave syrup*, white pepper*, fennel*, coriander seeds*. *=certified organic ingredients.
Vegan vs regular mayo – Ingredients comparison
The main difference between vegan mayonnaise and regular mayonnaise is that vegan mayonnaise is made without eggs.
In other words, the taste and texture of mayonnaise come from the egg being combined with oil.
The cheap brands of food often don't taste good because they use bad ingredients. The better brands use free-range eggs which makes a difference in taste.
The one big difference is that regular mayo contains eggs, while vegan mayo does not The vegan mayo alternative has a very similar texture to that of regular mayo. The majority of the key ingredients are the same as well, such as oil, vinegar, salt, sugar, lemon juice, and water. The one significant contrast is that regular mayo contains eggs, while vegan mayo does not.
The difference between regular and vegan mayonnaise is that regular mayonnaise uses egg yolks to create a creamy texture, while vegan mayonnaise uses substitutes like modified maize starch, soya protein, faba bean protein, xantham gum, and rice starch.
Healthier than regular mayo? It is not clear, but some of the ingredients in vegan mayo probably are.
5 Best Vegan Mayo Brands of 2022
If you're following a vegan diet, you'll want to avoid mayonnaise since it contains eggs. But don't worry, there are plenty of vegan mayo substitutes that you can use instead.
There are a lot of vegan mayo brands on the market, but not all of them are created equal. That's why we've put together this list of the best vegan mayo brands of 2022. These brands not only taste better than the others, but they're also made with better ingredients, so you can feel good about adding them to your plate.
1. Follow Your Heart
has designated their Veganaise product the OG of vegan mayo—and with good reason. This plant-based food company has been making vegan alternatives for nearly fifty years. Their original Vegainse plant-based mayo hit the market in the seventies and has enjoyed continued popularity ever since.
In addition to not using animal products, Follow Your Heart is also committed to using only sustainable, earth-friendly ingredients that improve the lives of people and planet.
This condiment has a mayonnaise-like flavor that both vegans and non-vegans will enjoy. The recipe includes familiar ingredients like canola oil, apple cider vinegar, and soy protein.
Other than the original taste, the company has a diverse range of mayos and mayonnaise spreads that will satisfy everyone. For those who want healthier options, there are organic, avocado, and soy-free alternatives. For those who want more flavor in their sandwich, there are chipotle, pesto, and garlic varieties.
There are many different types of Hellmann's mayonnaise, including the original recipe, as well as versions made with avocado oil, soy-free ingredients, grapeseed oil, reduced-fat ingredients, organic ingredients, garlic aioli, chipotle, pesto, roasted garlic, and siracha.
The base ingredients for this recipe are canola oil, avocado oil, high oleic safflower oil, and/or grapeseed oil.
Calories per tbsp: 50 to 90
You can find it at Safeway, Natural Grocers, Walmart, Kroger, Whole Foods, and many other stores.
2. Primal Kitchen
Primal Kitchen is a company that produces healthy, whole-food items. Their founder, Mark Sisson, created the company after he discovered the benefits of eating real food.
The company produces a line of classic mayonnaise products, as well as a small line of vegan spreads. The original vegan mayo has a very short ingredients list, with just five whole foods plus water. This produces a flavor and texture combination that is very convincing, and could fool even non-vegans.
In addition to plain mayonnaise, you can also get vegan versions of their jalapeno lime and garlic rosemary mayonnaise spreads. Although they are a little bit more expensive, they are still worth it because they are a tasty plant-based mayonnaise made with real gluten-free and soy-free ingredients.
There are three varieties of vegan mayo: vegan mayo, jalapeno lime vegan, and garlic rosemary vegan.
Base ingredients: Avocado oil, vinegar, potato protein
Calories per tbsp: 90
You can find this product at Safeway, Walmart, Kroger, Whole Foods, Ralphs, and more.
3. Chosen Foods
Chosen Foods is a company that focuses on avocados. It was founded by multi-generational avocado farmers from California and Mexico. This brand knows how to use this delicious and nutritious oil.
In addition to an egg-based avocado mayonnaise, Chosen Foods also has a vegan product made with avocado oil and a water-based bean mixture. This product is much closer to the typical texture of real mayonnaise.
The flavor of this product is not as convincing as something like Follow Your Heart. There is a noticeable tang and “vegany” taste that is exaggerated by the deep flavor profile of avocado oil. However, if you like avo-based spreads, you will likely enjoy this one as well.
Varieties: Classic vegan mayo, hemp protein powder The base ingredients for this recipe are avocado oil, aquafaba, distilled vinegar, faba bean protein powder, and hemp protein powder.
Calories per tbsp: 90
The text is saying that the product can be found at Safeway, Walmart, Whole Foods, Target, Ralphs, and other places.
4. Sir Kensington’s
Sir Kensington's is a brand that produces vegan mayonnaise that is just as good as mayonnaise that contains eggs. They are a Certified B Corp that focuses on making products from more humane ingredients. The eggs used in their non-vegan mayonnaise come from 100% Certified Humane Free-Range organic farms.
Although this company's vegan mayo doesn't contain eggs, it still has a rich taste thanks to sunflower oil, aquafaba, and a few other simple ingredients. The consistency is also just like regular mayonnaise.
If you want to try something new, this company also has a range of vegan mayonnaise spreads in different flavors, such as chipotle and a zesty ‘special sauce' with crunchy pickles.
There are four types of vegan mayonnaise: classic, avocado, chipotle, and special sauce.
Base ingredients: Sunflower oil/avocado oil, aquafaba
Calories per tbsp: 90
You can find it at Safeway, Walmart, Kroger, Whole Foods, Ralphs, or any other similar store.
5. Plant Perfect
The Plant Perfect foods are made only with the best vegan ingredients that come from responsible sources. They never use palm oil or GMO foods and they always prioritize flavor.
They only make one vegan mayonnaise product and it is awesome. The mayonnaise is certified organic and is made with canola oil, distilled vinegar and soy powder. It has a mild flavor which is more in line with real mayonnaise.
This vegan mayonnaise isn't as convincing in terms of texture and can be a bit runny at times, but it's worth a try if you're looking for a mayonnaise that fits your taste buds.
Varieties: Vegan mayo
Base ingredients: Canola oil, distilled vinegar, soy powder.
Calories per tbsp: 90
Find it at: Safeway and Albertsons
Things to Look for
What to look for when choosing a vegan mayonnaise brand: -Taste: of course you want a mayonnaise that tastes good! Consider how rich and creamy you want your mayonnaise to be. -Texture: some brands have a smoother consistency than others. If you prefer a chunkier mayonnaise, then look for one with add-ins like relish or herbs. -Ingredients: check the label to see what kind of oil is used. Some mayonnaises use grapeseed or avocado oil, which can add a milder flavor. Others use olive oil, which will make the mayonnaise more flavorful.
Base Ingredient
Oil is the key ingredient in mayonnaise, whether it is vegan or not. This fat is what gives mayonnaise its flavor, texture, and overall feel.
Here are some of the more common oil bases you’ll see:
- Canola oil – this is a classic mayo starter that lends itself to a mild, easy flavor most people enjoy.
- Avocado oil – healthier than many options, this oil has a richer flavor that some people love and some don’t.
- Sunflower/Safflower Oil – both these oils are high oleic oils which means they have a monounsaturated fat content that rivals avocado oil. They are smooth and rich but with a milder flavor.
Both plant-based and traditional mayonnaise use the same types of oil in their ingredients. If you had a favorite mayonnaise before, look at the type of oil used and try to find a plant-based recipe that is similar.
Emulsifier
The emulsifier is the second most important ingredient in mayo, it helps to hold the oil, water and vinegar together to create the classic mayo texture.
