Dairy free mayonnaise, also known as vegan mayo, is a popular condiment for those who have dietary restrictions or preferences against dairy products. With the rising popularity of plant-based diets and veganism, the demand for high quality dairy free alternatives to traditional foods has sharply increased. Fortunately, there are a number of reputable brands that offer delicious vegan mayonnaise options made without eggs, dairy or other animal products.
The Top Dairy Free Mayo Brands
Here is a look at some of the major players in the dairy free mayonnaise marketplace:
Just Mayo
Just Mayo is one of the leading vegan mayo brands. It is made by Hampton Creek, a food company focused on using plant proteins. Just Mayo is made primarily from pea protein and has a rich, creamy texture close to traditional mayo. It is egg-free, dairy-free and gluten-free. Just Mayo comes in original and flavored varieties like chipotle, truffle, garlic, and sriracha.
Hellmann’s Vegan
Hellmann’s, known for their classic mayonnaise, launched a vegan version in 2019. Hellmann’s Vegan is made with pea protein, rapeseed oil and lemon juice. It has no eggs, dairy or gluten. The well-known brand offers a familiar mayo taste and texture for long-time fans. Hellmann’s Vegan comes in a squeezable bottle for convenience.
Vegenaise
Made by Follow Your Heart, Vegenaise was one of the first dairy free mayo options on the market. Launched in 1977, it is egg-free and dairy-free, made from expeller-pressed canola and soybean oils. It has a smooth, creamy texture and comes in original, grapeseed oil, soy-free, and reduced fat varieties. Follow Your Heart is a California-based vegan company.
Nasoya Nayonaise
Nasoya Nayonaise is a vegan mayo offered by Nasoya, a brand known for their tofu and soy products. It is made from water, soy protein, pea protein and sunflower oil. Nasoya Nayonaise is free of dairy, eggs, and gluten. It comes in original, vegan bacon ranch, chipotle, and vegan lime flavors. Nasoya is owned by Pulmuone, a company based in South Korea.
Sir Kensington’s Vegan Mayo
Sir Kensington’s offers a vegan mayonnaise made from Fair Trade cold pressed canola oil, pea protein and lemon juice. It has a rich, eggy taste. The New York based company is known for their quirky marketing and packaging. Their vegan mayo comes in original and chipotle varieties.
Bragg Vegan Mayo
Bragg brand offers a vegan mayo as part of their line-up of living foods. Their mayo alternative contains expeller pressed non-GMO oil, pea protein and apple cider vinegar. It is USDA Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified. Bragg’s is a long-time maker of natural apple cider vinegars.
Chosen Foods Vegan Mayo
Based in Southern California, Chosen Foods offers a dairy free mayo called the Vegan Mayo with Coconut Oil. As the name states, it is made with coconut oil along with pea protein and vinegar. Chosen Foods brand focuses on selling avocado oil-based products.
Primal Kitchen Mayo
Primal Kitchen is a company focused on high quality condiments and dressings. Their avocado oil-based vegan mayo contains just 5 simple ingredients – avocado oil, pea protein, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and sea salt. It is Whole30 approved, paleo-friendly and naturally gluten free.
Are the dairy free mayos nutritionally similar to traditional mayonnaise?
Dairy free mayonnaise alternatives tend to be highly comparable from a nutritional standpoint to traditional egg or dairy-based mayonnaise. Here is a nutritional comparison of some popular vegan/dairy free mayo brands versus a leading regular mayonnaise brand (Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise):
| Brand | Calories | Total Fat | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Just Mayo | 100 | 11g | 0g |
| Hellmann’s Vegan | 100 | 11g | 1g |
| Vegenaise Original | 90 | 10g | 0g |
| Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise | 90 | 10g | 0g |
As shown above, the dairy free options provide very similar calorie, fat and carbohydrate content compared to regular mayonnaise. They offer the same rich, creamy texture and smooth mouthfeel, while being made entirely plant-based.
What are the benefits of choosing dairy free mayo?
There are several potential benefits to choosing a dairy free mayonnaise, including:
Dairy Allergies
Those with dairy allergies or sensitivities can enjoy mayo safely. Dairy free options contain no milk-derived ingredients.
Egg Allergies
People with egg allergies can also eat dairy free mayo without concern. The vegan versions use plant proteins instead.
Health Benefits
Some studies have found potential health benefits associated with replacing saturated animal fats with unsaturated plant oils. Dairy free mayo is lower in saturated fat.
Environmental Impact
Eco-conscious consumers often choose plant-based options for their sustainability benefits. Vegan foods generally have a lower environmental footprint.
Ethical Reasons
Vegans choose dairy free mayo because it aligns with their ethics against using animal products.
Conclusion
There are now many delicious dairy free mayonnaise options made by reputable brands using plant-based ingredients. Leading vegan mayo products like Just Mayo and Hellmann’s Vegan match the taste, texture and nutrition of traditional mayo without the eggs or dairy. With the growing shift away from animal products, dairy free mayonnaises offer the perfect condiment forplant-based diets and lifestyles.
