Is Regular Mayonnaise Vegan-Friendly?

Mayonnaise is a well-loved condiment used worldwide, and for good reason! Its versatility makes it perfect for sauces and dips, plus it's perfect for making salads of all kinds. You can find this creamy, vinegary goodness in many popular foods like deviled eggs, potato salad, coleslaw, and more. 

All food originates from somewhere, but how on earth did mayonnaise come to be one of the world's favorite condiments? Trust us when we say the history behind mayonnaise is quite heated, but we'll tell you the shortened version.

The Nibble reports one story. The mayonnaise we know and love today made its debut in 1756, brought to France from Minorca — an island off the coast of Spain. It's believed to have been created for a celebratory banquet in honor of capturing the city of Mahón. On that day, the chef didn't have cream to make the sauce he planned on using, so he substituted it with something different — egg and olive oil. He named the resulting creation "Mahónnaise" in honor of the city. Since that day, mayonnaise has been perfected and can now be found in various flavors, including chipotle, lime, barbeque, and more.

You may still be wondering what exactly modern mayonnaise is made of. You may even be curious if it's vegan-friendly. Let's take a closer look at the ingredients in mayonnaise, as well as give you mayonnaise options that best suit any dietary preferences.

Before we delve into the ingredients of mayonnaise and whether or not it's vegan, let's first define what veganism is. According to The Vegan Society, a vegan diet "denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals." This means consuming a plant-based diet that avoids animal products (i.e., meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and honey).

With that said, let's look at the ingredients in a traditional mayonnaise recipe. A basic mayonnaise is typically made with the following ingredients, not including added flavors and spices: egg yolks, oil, and an acid like vinegar or lemon juice. As you can see, the first ingredient to make up mayonnaise is eggs, which by definition means that mayonnaise is sadly not vegan.

Luckily, plenty of brands exist that make egg-free, vegan mayonnaise. But what's actually in vegan mayo? VegNews states that vegan mayonnaise typically substitutes the egg component with plant-based milk or plant-based fat. Other recipes use aquafaba (the liquid or brine found in canned chickpeas). After that, typical mayo ingredients are added, such as vinegar, salt, and spices.

Mayonnaise can be found in practically any supermarket, but what about vegan mayonnaise? Is it difficult to find? Thankfully, many stores now carry vegan, egg-free, dairy-free mayo options, with mayonnaise brands like Hellman's and Heinz jumping on the vegan train. VegOut reports that some of the best vegan mayo brands currently on the market are Primal Kitchen, Sir Kensington, and Chosen Foods.

In fact, many vegan mayonnaises have managed to achieve the same thickness and creaminess as regular mayonnaise. Some vegan mayos might even stand up to the big names in rankings (though it may not take first place with non-vegans). If you find that the chain grocery stores in your area don't carry vegan mayonnaise options, don't fret! Check out your local health food stores, or when in doubt, opt for buying online.

You can also make your own homemade vegan mayonnaise using simple ingredients around your kitchen, like dairy-free milk, oil, vinegar, salt, and spices. Whip it all together, and you've got the same mouthwatering condiment, but vegan. Now that you know all about this delicious condiment, we encourage you to explore the wonderful world of mayonnaise options!