The Mayonnaise Brand Ree Drummond Can't Stop Using

While it seems that most chefs prefer to create their own lavish homemade mayonnaise, some actually enjoy a dollop of the grocery store stuff. And one of the things you likely didn't know about Ree Drummond is that she is among those who like their mayo to come pre-jarred in the condiment aisle. Yes, the Pioneer Woman, the queen of down-home cooking and country living, eats the same sandwich spread as the masses. Who knew? 

Drummond has a bevy of recipes that call for mayonnaise too. Her Million Dollar Dip, a concoction Taste of Home calls a crowd-pleaser that is "loaded with all the best things in life" calls for ¾ cups of the white sauce. Food reveals that her homemade ranch dressing boasts a full cup of mayonnaise. And, the Pioneer Woman's salmon patties not only contain mayo in the patties, themselves, but Half-Scratched says they also have a layer of mayo-rich caper sauce on top. This eggy condiment even seems to tickle her funny bone according to her tweet, "What did the mayonnaise say when someone opened the fridge? Close the door! I'm dressing!" 

Clearly, Drummond enjoys a nice schmear of mayonnaise, but what is her favorite brand? Perhaps, it's your fav too. 

Drummond once told the Food Network that her favorite mayo "has that pure flavor and none of the off-putting vinegary-ness." What brand was she describing? It turns out she was talking about Hellmann's, a product that she confesses being "snobby about." And she is not alone in this preference. 

Culinary legend, Julia Child was also a fan of Hellmann's mayonnaise. Known for her Coq au Vin, Boeuf Bourguignon, and French onion soup, Child's cuisine was far from mayo-centric, but CheatSheet reveals that Child also created a signature tuna salad sandwich. And, of course, a requisite ingredient was Hellmann's. The Kitchn adds that this brand boasts two other devotees within the epicurean realm, Ina Garten and Joanna Gaines. Garten's blog lists it as one of her must-have ingredients and Gaines uses it in her Chicken Parmesan. It ranked number one on Mashed list of popular mayonnaise brands, too stating it's "mayonnaise at its absolute finest."

If Hellman's isn't your number-one choice, don't lose hope just yet. Some well-known chefs preferred other store brands. 

If you simply adore Duke's Real Mayonnaise, you aren't alone. While a Garden & Gun taste test yielded two clear winners with one being Hellmann's, you'll be happy to know that Duke's tied for the top spot. Fans of Duke's said "it was really flavorful" and "it's more savory with less sugar," while another pronounced it "more eggy." Chef Alex Stupak of Empellón recently confided to New York Magazine that he is now a fan of Duke's, saying it's more like a sauce, has a more yellowish hue, and greater acidity. He summed it up best by adding, he doesn't make his own mayo as "Duke's is just one of those things I don't think we could make any better." That's pretty high praise. 

Kewpie lovers need not feel slighted either. This key ingredient in Japanese spicy mayo sauce has loyal fans as well. According to The Wall Street Journal, Mason Hereford of New Orleans' Turkey and the Wolf swears by this Japanese condiment, saying that mayonnaise is "a faith with many gods — one of the most powerful of which is Kewpie." As an aside, he adds that it gives "oomph to tuna or egg salad," the true markings of a quality mayo. 

These chef recommendations may have inspired you to break out of your mayonnaise rut or, perhaps, they have made you cling to your tried-and-true even harder. Whichever mayo you prefer, you appear to be in good company.