Vegan mayonnaise, also known as vegan or vegan mayo, is a plant-based alternative to regular mayonnaise. It’s made from oil and water with the addition of vinegar (or lemon juice) and some other ingredients like mustard, salt, sugar, spices, and sometimes egg replacer. Elsie Kieffer created the first commercial product in New York City in 1944.
The word “vegan” means “no animal products,” but it does not mean that the food has to be completely free of all animal products. Some people use it to describe their diet if they avoid meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs, honey, gelatin, and other animal products. Vegans can eat vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, soy products, herbs, and spices.
If you are looking for a vegan version of mayonnaise, you need to look for brands with no egg whites. You will find them at most grocery stores.
Conventional Mayo Vs. Vegan Mayo
Conventional mayo is made from vegetable oil, egg yolks, and vinegar. It’s a primary ingredient in many recipes. The vegan version is made with olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and water instead of eggs. Both are delicious ways to add flavor to your dishes. They can be used interchangeably.
The main difference between mayonnaise and vegan mayonnaise is that mayonnaise uses egg yolk as a thickener, whereas vegan mayonnaise uses a mix of oils, emulsifiers, and thickeners to achieve a similar effect.
The best way to tell if something contains an egg is to check the label. If an egg is listed on the label, it probably contains an egg. There is no such thing as a 100% vegan item. However, you can make almost anything 100% vegetarian by using veggie broth, fruit juices, and other non-animal-based foods.
To answer your question regarding the nutritional content, here is a link to the nutrition facts label for regular mayonnaise.
Nutrition Facts for Regular Mayonnaise
Amount Per Serving(1 tablespoon): Calories 120; Total Fat 10g 16% Saturated Fat 2g 12% Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 75mg 25% Carbohydrate 4g 1% Dietary Fiber 0g Sodium 190mg 9% Total Sugars 3g Protein 1g Vitamin A 30 IU 1 % Calcium 15 mg 1 % Iron 0.3 mg 5 % Potassium 60 mg 2 %
Nutrition Facts for Vegan Mayo
Amount Per Serving(1 tablespoon): Calories 110; Total Fat 11g 18% Saturated Fat 2.5g 13%
Vegan mayonnaise is made from vegetable oil and vinegar with no animal products or eggs. It is also free of any additives like sugar, salt, or preservatives. Mayonnaise is an emulsion of oil and water. Its texture is very different from regular mayonnaise because it has a thicker consistency.
How to make Vegan Mayo at home?
The full recipe for vegan mayonnaise is below, but let me explain the methods we recommend when making it. First, you should start by preparing the base: combine all the ingredients except the oil in a bowl.
Whisk until smooth. Add the oil slowly while whisking constantly. Continue to stir until the mixture thickens. If it doesn’t thicken enough, add more oil. Once it’s ready, cover and refrigerate until needed. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
For best results, use an immersion blender or food processor. You can mix everything in a jar using a hand mixer or whisk.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coconut milk
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons agave nectar
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic
You can also add some of these ingredients such as pinch cayenne pepper, pinch turmeric powder, pinch paprika, pinch black pepper, pinch chili flakes, pinch ground ginger, pinch ground nutmeg, pinch ground cloves, pinch cinnamon, pinch cardamom, pinch cumin, pinch coriander, pinch curry powder, pinch fennel seeds, pinch mace, pinch star anise, pinch saffron threads, and pinch crushed red pepper flakes.
Vegans who store their homemade mayonnaise in the refrigerator will enjoy fresh-tasting mayo for up to three weeks. After that, the flavor starts to fade. To extend its shelf life, transfer your leftover mayonnaise into an airtight container and freeze it. Frozen vegan mayonnaise keeps for six months.
How to choose Vegan Mayo?
The secret is in the oil. Vegan mayonnaise has a much lighter, more delicate flavor than regular mayonnaise. It’s also less tangy and less salty. The first time I made it, I was so excited by its lightness that I ate it right out of the jar! But as with all things, moderation is key.
There are many different varieties of vegan mayonnaises available. Some contain additional flavors, such as herbs and spices, and others are creamy. We suggest starting with plain vegan mayonnaise to see if you like it before adding any extras. Try them both side by side and decide what works best for you.
Vegans often have trouble finding vegan mayonnaise. The only place they can find it is on the shelves of health food stores. However, some brands are now available in mainstream supermarkets.
Check the labels carefully to ensure that the product contains only natural ingredients. If you’re looking for a good brand of vegan mayonnaise, try to Follow Your Heart. They offer several flavors: original, balsamic, spicy Italian, chipotle ranch, and buffalo blue cheese.
There are several types of vegan mayonnaise available. Some brands contain added flavors such as garlic, herbs, citrus, etc. These can be used in small amounts to enhance the flavor of your dish. For example, some people love garlic mayonnaise on their sandwiches. Others prefer lemon-infused mayonnaise.
Experiment to find the one that suits your tastes. If you’re looking for a vegan mayonnaise with a creamier consistency, try our vegan ranch dressing, which uses cashews instead of dairy-based sour cream. This will give you a similar taste without the fat.
In general, store-bought mayonnaise tends to have a higher sodium content. Look for low sodium versions online or ask your local health food store about vegan mayonnaise options.
Recommended Mayo to buy from Amazon if it is not possible at home
If you like vegan mayo so much, here are some from amazon that you may like:
- Vegan Dressing and Spread for a Rich, Creamy Plant-Based Alternative to Mayo Plant-Based Mayonnaise
- Hellmann’s Vegan Dressing and Spread for a Rich, Creamy Plant-Based Alternative to Mayo Plant-Based Mayonnaise Free From Eggs 11.5 oz 3 Count
- Heinz Vegan Seriously Good Mayonnaise – Vegan Chilli Mayo, 220ml
Controversies on Vegan Mayo:
“Vegans don’t eat dairy products, so they shouldn’t be eating mayonnaise either.” This is false. Dairy foods contain casein proteins which are similar to gluten. They are often used as substitutes for bread crumbs, pasta, pizza dough, etc. There are some brands of vegan cheese and yogurt that have casein added to them.
“But then again, vegans are only supposed to eat vegetables.” This is true. Vegans are only allowed to eat plants. However, this doesn’t mean that we should avoid other plant-based foods. If you look closely, you’ll notice that most vegans eat meat. It’s just that they choose to use animal-free alternatives when cooking.
“I know vegans who live off of mayonnaise!” This is also false. The majority of vegans eat healthy diets full of fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, seitan, and even eggs. Most vegans would never consider consuming mayonnaise because it contains high levels of saturated fats and cholesterol.
“If you want to be healthy, you have to avoid mayonnaise because it contains unhealthy fats.” This is true. Mayonnaise does contain a high amount of saturated fat (about 20 grams per serving). However, this isn’t necessarily bad.
Saturated fat is essential for our health. It helps with brain development, nerve function, and cellular metabolism. As long as it’s consumed in moderation, it’s okay. There are other options for those who prefer low-fat recipes. For example, you could try making your salad dressing instead. Or you could use coconut oil in place of butter.
“Mayonnaise is just eggs and oil, so it’s animal-based.” This is incorrect. Egg yolks are a rich source of protein, vitamins A and B12, selenium, zinc, iron, and calcium, it still contains plant-based ingredients.
“I can’t believe many people think that vegans only eat salads.” This is false. Vegans eat plenty of delicious food besides salads – including cheeses, ice cream, chocolate, cookies, cakes, pies, and even burgers. You can find many great vegan recipes online or in cookbooks if you’re looking for ideas.
Phosphorus, choline, lutein, and zeaxanthin. And, unlike milk, egg yolks do not have lactose in them. So, while eggs and oil make up most of the mayonnaise, it’s not an animal product.
“You should never put anything artificial into your body.” This is untrue. Artificial sweeteners such as Splenda, Equal, NutraSweet, Sweet n Low, etc., are safe for consumption. The same goes for trans fats. These are also found in processed foods.
