Vegan mayonnaise has been taking over the world of condiments for quite a while now, with both committed vegans and open-minded omnivores getting in on the action. And as more of us embrace plant-based foods, the dairy and egg-free mayo substitutes produced by well-known and independent brands are getting more and more exciting.
Whether you're looking for a trustworthy mayo that tastes just like the traditional stuff or you want to try out recipes flavoured with mustard, chipotle or even bacon (or facon!), there's something out there for you. We've created this guide and paired it with the ten best tasting vegan mayos to buy from Amazon, Tesco, Asda and more to have you dippin' and dollopin'!
Quick List - Top Vegan Mayo
mybest UK Specialist Kate Roberts is a registered paediatric dietitian and expert in vegan and plant based diets. Collaborating alongside us, we invited Kate to bring further insight into the world of vegan diets.
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Kate Roberts is a registered dietician who also specialises in vegan paediatrics via her Instagram page. Working with mybest UK, Kate has commented on a variety of articles to help you better understand what is best to look out for when shopping vegan!
Deliciously rich, thick and creamy, a good vegan mayo will taste satisfyingly like traditional mayo. This is probably because the list of ingredients is pretty similar to that of the regular stuff, with a base of oil, vinegar and lemon juice.
The big difference comes down to the egg substitute. Some brands use vegetable proteins such as soy, pea or potato, which achieves a smooth, creamy texture without the added cholesterol of regular mayo.
Aquafaba is another legume-based binder that's used to create creamy vegan mayo. Otherwise known as the humble water in a tin of chickpeas, aquafaba can be whipped into a stiff, fluffy foam! Creamy, tangy, and very convincing, vegan mayos using aquafaba are totally on the money.
Vegan mayo is a fantastic substitute for vegans and those with an egg allergy. It's incredibly close to the non-vegan version and is a good transition food for those wanting to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diets. The vegan versions also tend to have less saturated fat, so it's a win-win!
People often confuse garlic mayo and aioli, and things can get even trickier when it comes to vegan garlic mayo, as many products are labelled as garlic aioli. Aioli is a Mediterranean sauce, often made from just garlic and olive oil. However, some recipes use eggs as part of the emulsion, whereas some use mayonnaise as a base — and there lies the confusion.
When it comes to vegan garlic mayo, it's usually made from the same ingredients as original vegan mayo, but with the addition of garlic or garlic puree high up on the ingredients list. This is a perfect condiment for those who enjoy a classic mayo but like to add a little more pungency and bite to wraps, chips or sandwiches.
Shopping online, you'll see vegan garlic mayo and garlic aioli are used interchangeably — they are the same thing in the world of the internet so no need to worry that you've made the wrong purchase. Either one is sure to provide you with creamy, garlicky loveliness minus the yuck of regular garlic mayo!
Vegan garlic mayo is a delicious accompaniment to many classic dishes, traditionally based around seafood. You can get vegan alternatives, or it can be used as a dip for crudites, roasted vegetables or crackers. It can also be used in cooking. It is a brilliant addition to make vegan dishes scrumptious and have an incredible mouth-feel.
Sriracha is a fiery chilli paste originally concocted by Vietnamese-American immigrant David Tran, which has taken the world by storm, but the original sriracha is actually from Thailand and the recipe hails from the seaside city of Si Racha. Sriracha mayo is a brilliant invention that tastes spicy, tangy and slightly sweet.
For Mexican-inspired cuisine, chipotle is the one. Chipotle is a smoke-dried jalapeno pepper that imparts a relatively mild but earthy spiciness to dishes. This works well with the creaminess of mayo and brings interest to a BBQ, salad or the usual everyday dishes.
Or, consider a peri-peri mayo to add a burst of passion to your meals and snacks. Originating in South Africa, peri-peri sauce is commonly made from chillis, lemon, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves and oil, with the chief pepper being the relatively hot African birdseye. Balanced with mayo, peri-peri is a delight, giving a subtle kick without being too spicy.
Mayonnaise is pretty bland, so added chilli can make a nice change and makes it a great addition for lots of different dishes. If you want to be thrifty and have some spare chilli sauce, you could always combine your own flavours.
Vegan mayo has come such a long way over the last few years and it's now possible to find such indulgent and unusual options that you need never seek out regular mayonnaise ever again. If you're into the crisp, tart and tangy flavours of mustard, check out the Dijon and wholegrain mustard mayo options on our list.
For those who love (or miss) the umami smokiness of bacon, you can now enjoy vegan 'baconnaise' without the guilt! This delicious flavour is created from dextrose, a naturally occurring sugar, which is then smoked for a just-griddled taste.
If you're missing the taste of bacon (which isn't something to be ashamed of)! Baconnaise is a great addition, pair with a crispy meat-free substitute or a vegan burger, and you are living the best of both worlds! Veganism doesn't need to be difficult, and these types of substitutes can really help replace missed food without the cruelty or environmental impact.
We've been through the many delicious ingredients you'll find in different styles of vegan mayo, but what should you avoid? Vegan mayo labels include their health benefits or suitability for certain diets such as gluten or soy-free, but products can sometimes contain hidden additives that you'd probably be better forgoing.
Vegan mayos made entirely from natural ingredients are always the best bet, and happily, they're rather easy to find too. It's usually best to avoid products that contain glucose-fructose syrup, which is highly processed and loaded with calories and sugar.
Equally, you might want to look out for added thickeners or stabilisers such as xanthan gum which isn't great for your gut, or preservatives like potassium sorbate, a chemical additive that is pretty much unnecessary.
Mayo is never going to be classed as healthy food and should be consumed in moderation. It is already high in fat, and added flavourings can be salty or sugary. Be mindful of amounts and buy mayo with natural ingredients if you want it to be more nutritious.
Following on from the last section on your preferred container type — how big do you need your container to be? If you live alone or with another person, you'll probably be happy with a container that's between 195-270 g (unless you're a total vegan mayo addict, of course).
If you have a large family, live with several housemates or just dollop the stuff onto absolutely everything, you might want to consider a jar or bottle from 270 to 450 g. Alternatively, if you have the storage space, there are lots of options on Amazon to buy vegan mayo in bulk which can often work out more economically in the long run.
There are options to buy in bulk but be mindful of packaging and how energy-dense mayo is. I would lean towards smaller glass jars and have a little yo savour. Condiments can be great for kids but shouldn't be the main part of the meal!
Now we've thought about flavors, it's time to quickly address some practical concerns. Do you prefer your mayo in a jar or a squeezy bottle? The jury's out on which is better, mainly because it comes down to personal preference and what you find most convenient.
A jar can feel less convenient because you have to get a utensil to serve it, whereas, with a bottle, you can just squeeze it right out onto your plate. However, when your mayo is starting to run out, it's easy to get the very last drops out of a jar, as a squeezy bottle will have lots of product left that's hard to access.
Also, jars are usually made from glass which can be reused, repurposed or easily recycled, unlike squeezy bottles which are made from PET plastic (polyethylene terephthalate), which can be put in your recycling but is generally not very eco-friendly.
Glass jars are much easier to reuse and recycle. There's also the added bonus of getting those last scrapes of mayo out. Plastic bottles are generally single-use, often you waste a bit at the end and are more difficult to recycle.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Hellmann's Vegan Mayo | ![]() | An Excellent Alternative From the UK's Best Loved Mayo Brand | |
2 | Follow Your Heart Original Vegenaise | ![]() | Better Than Mayo by Name and Nature | |
3 | Rubies Plant Based Chilli Mayo | ![]() | A Spicy Mayo Made by a Passionate Ethical Brand | |
4 | Heinz Seriously Good Vegan Mayo | ![]() | A Premium Vegan Mayo From a Supermarket Big Hitter | |
5 | Hellmann's Vegan Mayo Baconnaise | ![]() | Rich and Creamy With a Delicious Smoky 'Bacon' Flavour | |
6 | Grey Poupon Wholegrain Vegan Mayonnaise | ![]() | A Healthy Dollop of French Plant-Based Charm | |
7 | Thai Dragon Sriracha Mayonnaise | ![]() | Brings Excitement to a Wide Variety of Meals and Snacks | |
8 | Hellmann's Vegan Chipotle Mayo | ![]() | Infused With Delicious Chipotle for a Bit of a Kick | |
9 | Nando's Vegan Perinaise Peri Peri Mayo | ![]() | Nando's Famous Peri-Peri Subtly Blended With Vegan Mayo | |
10 | Wicked Kitchen Garlic Mayo With Caramelised Onion | ![]() | Wickedly Tasty and Extremely Affordable |
Hellmann's are known in the UK as the gods of mayo, so it'll be no surprise to learn that their vegan offering is our number one choice. Vegan, gluten-free and a good source of omega 3 – Hellmann's have applied all of their traditional mayo expertise to create this absolutely scrumptious plant-based version.
It also contains no artificial colours or flavours, which may have you wondering exactly how they have done it! But worry not, just enjoy its creamy deliciousness and revel in serving it to friends and family, knowing they won't be able to tell the difference.
Follow Your Heart are one of the trailblazers of vegan alternatives and have been creating fantastic products made with love since 1970. Based in California, their Original Vegenaise is now available worldwide, bringing sunshine to vegans and omnivores everywhere.
Their tagline is true and this vegenaise really is better than regular mayo, with a gorgeous taste and texture. High in omega 3, it is also non-GMO, gluten-free and made without preservatives. It's all peace, love and chips here!
Rubies in the Rubble are a UK-based company obsessed with fighting food waste and source produce that has been rejected by supermarkets to create their condiment range. Fruit and veg can be rejected for being misshapen, or there simply being too many in the harvest – and Rubies swoop in to save them from the bin.
We love their range of vegan mayos and in particular, this chilli variety, which is spicy, creamy and made with aquafaba. If you're looking for a condiment that isn't only extremely ethical but totally delicious too, Rubies mayo is the one for you!
For those who like to go for offerings from well-loved British brands, you'll be delighted to see that Heinz has made it to our list with their vegan mayo. In tight competition with Hellmann's original vegan jar, this one is irresistibly rich and creamy and goes well with chips, salads, sandwiches and more.
The squeezy bottle is a little more annoying to use than those in more user-friendly containers though, so it's slipped a little further down our ranking. But as the taste goes, we can confirm that it is seriously good.
Hellmann's have really come through with their vegan mayo range, creating not just one great offering but several. Even just writing about their vegan baconnaise makes our mouths water, and we guarantee you won't be able to get enough of it!
Rarely do vegans get the chance to revel in bacon-flavoured products but most of us still crave that hit of umami smokiness. If that's something you're into, this baconnaise is a must-try, and like the others in the range, it contains no artificial ingredients or colourings either.
Looking at the jar, you'd be forgiven for wondering whether this wholegrain mayonnaise really is vegan because it isn't too often that you see a sophisticated-looking French brand creating plant-based condiments. But we can confirm that it absolutely is vegan, and it's extremely delicious.
Dating back to 1777, Dijon-born Grey Poupon uses vegan-friendly French wine in their mustard mayos for a high-class condiment that vegans don't often get to experience. This delightful mayo is also soya, wheat and gluten-free. Magnifique!
If you enjoy Thai or other kinds of Asian food, chances are you may have already tasted this delicious sriracha mayo and may not have realised it was vegan. This very versatile sauce is great on tofish tacos, salads, burgers or in sandwiches and you'll love its zingy flavours.
Not only is it suitable for vegans, but it's gluten-free and halal too, making it a perfect pick for all kinds of diets. It does contain small amounts of thickeners and a preservative, but most of the ingredients are natural, and we think it's worth it anyway for its totally original taste.
One of three vegan mayos from Hellmann's, this chipotle-infused version has been recently premiered on supermarket shelves and is available in either singles or a seriously tempting 6-jar bulk buy.
Just like their original vegan mayonnaise, this one has the same rich and creamy taste but with the spicy, smoky kick of chipotle. Though guilt-free and appetising, it's not the absolute best chipotle-based condiment we've tried, but it is good for livening up all sorts of everyday foods and snacks.
A mybest favourite, we have featured this vegan peri-peri mayo on our site before, and we're still in love with its subtle chilli kick. Featuring just a hint of heat but an abundance of flavour, you'll find yourself adding this perinaise to everything and anything!
Made with lots of zesty natural ingredients such as African bird's eye chilli and lemon puree, it's a fun way to have the Nando's experience at home. Again, it does also contain some thickeners and a preservative, which some might prefer to avoid.
If you're a vegan, you might already know about Wicked Kitchen and their wide range of delicious vegan alternatives. Available exclusively at Tesco, their products are super affordable and accessible for vegans, veggies and flexitarians alike.
This garlic mayo with caramelised onion is so tasty that meat-lovers probably wouldn't even know it's vegan! Unfortunately, though, the second ingredient on its list is glucose-fructose syrup, which will derail anyone who's following a health-conscious lifestyle.
It would be ideal to say that vegan mayo is relatively healthy compared to the regular one. Vegan mayo is made using healthier oils like avocado, olive and it has fewer calories, is cholesterol-free. However, it should be consumed in moderation as it might contain sugar.
Yes, it's best to refrigerate vegan mayo. Try to keep it in the refrigerator's door as it shouldn't be frozen. However, you can keep it unrefrigerated for a day.
Written and researched by Melanie McPhail
No. 1: Hellmann's|Vegan Mayo
No. 2: Follow Your Heart|Original Vegenaise
No. 3: Rubies|Plant Based Chilli Mayo
No. 4: Heinz|Seriously Good Vegan Mayo
No. 5: Hellmann's|Vegan Mayo Baconnaise
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games