10 Easy Mayonnaise Substitutes for Any Recipe

Mayonnaise, a staple made from egg yolks, oil, and vinegar or lemon juice, is creamy, tangy, and incredibly versatile. Whether it's for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even dessert, it's hard to beat. But what happens if you run out? Here are the best substitutes for when you're in a pinch.

What Is Mayonnaise's Flavor and How Is It Used?

Mayonnaise is one of those condiments that people either love or dislike. Regardless, there's no denying its practical value in the kitchen. As an oil-based ingredient, it provides the perfect richness to a variety of dishes, and with a bit of openness, you'll find at least one way to enjoy it.

Mayonnaise has a tangy flavor with a smooth, creamy texture similar to custard. Its versatility is endless—whether used simply as a spread on a turkey sandwich or BLT, or more elaborately in cold salads, mashed potatoes, or mixed into batter for quiche or cakes.

Mayonnaise is incredibly versatile, but if you ever find yourself running out, we've got all the recipes you need to make the most of it.

Top Mayonnaise Alternatives

Miracle Whip

This dressing is very similar to mayonnaise in both texture and ingredients, with the addition of sugar or high fructose corn syrup, water, and extra spices like garlic, paprika, and mustard. You might need to tweak your recipe a bit to balance the extra sweetness, but it should work just fine on a ham sandwich.

Greek Yogurt

Season Greek yogurt with a pinch of salt and pepper, and it makes a great substitute. It's ideal when you're looking for a lighter, egg-free option and adds a fresh flavor. However, avoid using it in more savory raw dishes like potato salad.

Discover the recipe: Southern Potato Salad

Aquafaba

If you're following a vegan diet, you're probably familiar with the liquid left behind from canned chickpeas. When whipped, this 'aquafaba' can replace egg whites in everything from baked goods to cocktails. For this mayo substitute, use it in baking. Or, whisk in some oil to achieve the texture and taste of mayonnaise – and voilà, you've got a perfect replacement!

Sour Cream

While mayo is rich and eggy, sour cream is lighter with a tangy punch. But they share a similar texture, making sour cream a great option for cold salads where mayo acts as the binder, deviled eggs, baked dishes, and more.

Butter

If you're out of mayonnaise, butter is your best bet for a crispy grilled cheese or panini. A thin layer on the outside of the bread will help get that perfect golden crunch.

Tahini

Tahini, a paste made from sesame seeds, is most famous for its role in hummus, offering a subtle, nutty flavor. Combine it with equal parts lemon juice and water, and you’ll get a mayo-like taste, though a bit thinner. It’s not quite right for grilling bread like butter, but it's great in salads, veggie sandwiches, or as a topping for baked fish.

Avocado

Swapping mayonnaise for avocado is a refreshing idea. It’s ideal for sandwiches like BLTs or burgers, adding healthy fats instead of the typical mayo. While it's not great for cooking, you can blend avocado with a little water or oil to create a creamy spread. It may make your deviled eggs look like something from 'Green Eggs and Ham,' but they’ll taste amazing.

Discover the recipe: Air Fryer Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Maple-Mustard Mayo

Tofu

Blending silken tofu until smooth is an excellent way to create a vegan mayo. Use it wherever you’d normally use mayonnaise, but note that it won't work the same way in baked goods.

Make Your Own

If you're out of mayo, why not make your own? It's as simple as whisking egg yolks with vinegar or lemon juice, then slowly adding oil until the mixture thickens. While homemade mayo doesn’t last long (about 3 days), the flavor is incomparable.