10 Best and Worst Mayonnaise Brands on the Market

It’s pretty safe to say that most people love mayo. But, unfortunately, not all mayonnaise brands are created equal. Some are less healthy, while some don’t measure up to others when it comes to taste.

Well, if you’ve been wondering what some of the best and worst mayonnaise brands on the market are, look no further than this article.

Hellmann’s
Hellmann’s / Photo by Kelsey Todd

We’ve compiled a list of 10 well-known and lesser-known mayo brands to give you the low-down on each of them.

Continue reading to find out which ones should go in your shopping cart and which ones you should leave on the shelf.

10. Miracle Whip

Miracle Whip has only 15 calories, 0 grams of fat, 130 milligrams of sodium, 3 grams of carbs and 0 grams of protein per tablespoon. Not too bad, huh? Well, at least it appears that way.

The issue is that whenever a manufacturer cuts fat, they have to compensate for flavor in other ways — and most of the time, it’s by adding sugar.

Unfortunately, Miracle Whip has more sugar content than many other mayo brands on the market. It also contains a preservative.

Ingredients: Water, Soybean Oil, High-Fructose Corn Syrup, Vinegar, Modified Corn Starch, Eggs, Salt, Natural Flavor, Mustard Flour, Potassium Sorbate, Spice, Dried Garlic.

Interesting facts:

  • Miracle Whip was introduced in 1933 as a less expensive version of mayonnaise.
  • According to an article published by Mashed.com, Miracle Whip can’t be considered real mayonnaise because it doesn’t contain enough vegetable oil.

9. Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise

This is many people’s go-to mayo when making potato salad or sandwiches. And, Taste of Home magazine loves it, too. They refer to it as the “best all-purpose mayo.” But, unfortunately, Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise contains a preservative: Calcium Disodium EDTA.

“While Calcium Disodium EDTA is an approved food additive, the FDA has limits regarding how much of the preservative can be in foods,” Amy Tao, MS, of Based Wellness, told Eat This, Not That! Here is the full list of ingredients as well as nutrition facts:

Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Water, Whole Eggs and Egg Yolks, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Sugar, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Calcium Disodium EDTA, Natural Flavors

Nutrition Facts (for 1 tablespoon): 90 calories, 10 grams of fat (1.5 grams of saturated fat), 90 milligrams of sodium, 0 grams of carbs (0 grams of fiber, 0 grams of sugar), 0 grams of protein

FUN FACTS:

Hellmann’s goes by the name Best Foods in states west of the Rocky Mountains.

Mayonnaise became popular in the United States in 1905, after German immigrant Richard Hellmann opened a delicatessen in New York. He used his wife’s homemade mayonnaise in salads and as a condiment.

8. Heinz Real Mayonnaise

When you think of the brand name Heinz, you probably think of ketchup. And, it’s no wonder — the company has been selling the stuff since 1876. Since then, they’ve branched out into other areas, including mustard and, of course, mayonnaise — which they launched in 2018.

Thankfully, their mayo is still young, so they have plenty of time to perfect it. So why do I say this? Well, let’s just say that not too many people are fond of Heinz Real Mayonnaise.

Mashed.com said it tastes like chemicals. Amy Tao of Based Wellness said it seemed to be pretty generic. On the other hand, Taste of Home magazine said it’s great for spreading on a sandwich or hoagie, although they did admit the mayo had a bit of a vinegar bite and was slightly peppery.

Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Whole Eggs and Egg Yolks, Distilled White Vinegar, Water, Salt, Sugar, Natural Flavor (contains mustard), Lemon Juice Concentrate, Calcium Disodium EDTA

Nutrition Facts (for 1 tablespoon): 100 calories, 11 grams of fat (1.5 grams of saturated fat), 80 milligrams of sodium, 0 grams of carbs (0 grams of fiber, 0 grams of sugar), 0 grams of protein

7. Duke’s Real Mayonnaise

Southern cooks swear by Duke’s Real Mayonnaise when it comes to making potato salad. In fact, Taste of Home magazine rates it as the best mayo for salads.

It’s thick, creamy and tangy, which is perfect for foods that require a vinegary bite. Unfortunately, Duke’s has a lot of fat and contains the preservative Calcium Disodium EDTA.

Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Eggs, Water, Distilled and Cider Vinegar, Salt, Oleoresin Paprika, Natural Flavors, Calcium Disodium EDTA

Nutrition Facts (for 1 tablespoon): 100 calories, 12 grams of fat (2 grams of saturated fat), 70 milligrams of sodium, 0 grams of carbs (0 grams of fiber, 0 grams of sugar), 0 grams of protein.

6. Kraft Real Mayonnaise

Kraft has been a household brand for many generations, and as such, it’s trusted by consumers. But, unfortunately, that trust will go right out the door once you learn what’s in Kraft Real Mayonnaise.

There are 10 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of which is saturated fat. There’s also some sugar. And then there’s that preservative again that seems to keep showing up in many mayo brands.

Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Water, Eggs, Vinegar, Contains Less Than 2% of Sugar, Salt, Egg Yolks, Natural Flavor (contains mustard), Lemon Juice Concentrate, Calcium Disodium EDTA (to protect flavor), Dried Garlic, Dried Onions, Paprika.

Nutrition Facts (for 1 tablespoon): 90 calories, 10 grams of fat (1.5 grams of saturated fat), 70 milligrams of sodium, 0 grams of carbs (0 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar), 0 grams of protein

But, it isn’t just what’s in it that makes it a poor choice. It’s also the taste. According to Mashed.com, its flavor isn’t all that great, and its aftertaste is even worse. The website compared it to eating old mayo that has sat out on the counter for too long.

5. Trader Joe’s Organic Mayonnaise

If you’re in search of a healthy mayo that’s also tasty, look no further. Trader Joe’s Organic Mayonnaise is just what you need. It has a ton of healthy ingredients plus a deep flavor that’s sure to satisfy just about everyone’s taste buds.

Oh, and did we mention it’s organic? The only downside is that it has more fat, including saturated fat, than similar brands. That being said, here are the ingredients and nutrition facts:

Ingredients: Organic Expeller Pressed Soybean Oil, Water, Organic Pasteurized Egg Yolks, Organic Whole Eggs, Organic White Vinegar, Salt, Organic White Mustard (Organic Distilled Vinegar, Water, Organic Mustard Seed, Salt, Organic Spices, Organic Lemon Juice Concentrate

Nutrition Facts (for 1 tablespoon): 100 calories, 11 grams of fat (1.5 grams of saturated fat), 85 milligrams sodium, 0 grams of carbs (0 grams of fiber, 0 grams of sugar), 0 grams of protein

Wow! No sugar or preservatives!

4. Vegenaise

Yes, this mayonnaise is vegan-friendly. That’s a good thing, right? Well, maybe not. As you know, when manufacturers cut out one ingredient, they have to replace it with something else to keep it palatable.

However, it seems as though the makers of Vegenaise didn’t get the memo. They removed the eggs from the list of ingredients to make this a vegan product, but they left all the other ingredients the same.

So, while it is healthy, it sorely lacks in flavor. Now, if this doesn’t bother you, run out and purchase a jar by all means. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for something with more taste, you’d be better off trying some of the other vegan-friendly brands on the market.

3. Whole Foods 365 Mayonnaise

Whole Foods 365 Mayonnaise is perfect for consumers looking for something that’s both healthy and delicious. The only minus is that the texture isn’t very creamy, and it doesn’t spread well. However, if you’re willing to overlook this, Whole Foods 365 Mayonnaise is a great choice.

Ingredients: Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Organic Cage-free Whole Eggs, Filtered Water, Organic Cage-free Egg Yolks, Organic Distilled Vinegar, Sea Salt, Organic Mustard (Organic Distilled Vinegar, Water, Organic Mustard Seed, Sea Salt, Organic Spices), Salt, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Natural Flavor

Nutrition Facts (for 1 tablespoon): 110 calories, 12 grams of fat (1 gram of saturated fat), 75 milligrams of sodium, 0 grams of carbs (0 grams of fiber, 0 grams of sugar), 0 grams of protein

2. HLTHPUNK Bionnaise Vegan Mayo

HLTHPUNK Bionnaise Vegan Mayo is a great plant-based option for anyone who doesn’t eat soy, which is typically the ingredient found in most vegan mayo options.

Instead, it’s made with sunflower oil and oat milk and contains other ingredients that make it even more flavorful, such as turmeric and white pepper. It can be found at Walmart and retails for $9.99 for a 4.8 ounce jar.

FUN FACT: TheKitchn.com writer Danielle Centoni tried more than two dozen kinds of mayonnaise in a taste test she conducted. Out of all of them, she found HLTHPUNK Bionnaise Vegan Mayo to be the best vegan mayonnaise sold at supermarkets.

1. Sir Kensington’s Classic Mayo

Sir Kensington’s started in 2010 as a ketchup company. Fast forward to 2021, and their classic mayo is its number one seller. It contains healthy ingredients like sunflower oil and organic lemon juice.

Ingredients: Sunflower Oil, Organic Certified Humane Free-Range Egg Yolks, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Fair Trade Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Lemon Juice, Citric Acid, Lemon Oil

Nutrition Facts (for 1 tablespoon): 100 calories, 10 grams of fat (1 gram of saturated fat), 95 milligrams of sodium, 0 grams of carbs (0 grams of fiber, 0 grams of sugar), 0 grams of protein.

Conclusion

When choosing a mayonnaise brand, it is essential to consider the ingredients and nutrition facts. Some brands, such as Miracle Whip and Heinz Real Mayonnaise, have added sugar and preservatives, which may not be as healthy as other options.

On the other hand, brands like Primal Kitchen Mayo and Sir Kensington’s Mayonnaise are made with more nutritious ingredients and good taste. It is also essential to consider the flavour and texture of the mayonnaise, as some brands may have a more robust vinegar taste or a thicker consistency.

Ultimately, the best mayonnaise brand for you will depend on your personal preferences and dietary needs.

Garry L. Hemphill
Garry L. Hemphill

My mission is to help people discover their dreams and take action to make them a reality. I specialize in creating content that motivates, educates, and inspires others to pursue their passions with purpose.

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