Reasons to Switch to Vegan Mayonnaise
Vegan mayonnaise has moved well beyond its niche beginnings. Supermarkets now carry several brands, and it’s not just for those on a plant-based diet. More people are switching their regular mayo for vegan versions, and there are some solid reasons behind this choice.
Whether you want to eat better, help the planet, or just try something new, vegan mayonnaise has plenty going for it. And it tastes exactly the same!
The Veg Space has a super simple recipe for vegan mayo with just a few ingredients.
Then you simply can adapt to whatever flavour you wish: mustard, garlic, sriracha (spicy), wasabi (very spicy!), sun-dried tomato or pesto.
Keep mayonnaise away from pets, due to unsafe ingredients like garlic an spices. Read more on food safety for people & pets.
Dairy-Free and Egg-Free Ingredients
Vegan mayonnaise skips the eggs and dairy found in traditional mayo. This is a huge plus for anyone with egg allergies or who needs to avoid animal products for health, religious or ethical reasons.
It also means fewer risks from bacteria like salmonella, which can lurk in raw eggs. By keeping things simple and plant-based, vegan mayo cuts out many common allergens and potential health worries.
Fewer Saturated Fats
Many vegan mayonnaise brands rely on oils like sunflower or rapeseed, which have less saturated fat than the egg-based recipes. Less saturated fat is good news for your heart and helps keep cholesterol in check.
If you’re watching your numbers or just looking for a lighter sandwich spread, vegan mayo is often a better fit.
Kinder to the Environment
Animal farming eats up resources and pumps out more greenhouse gases than plant-based food production. By swapping to vegan mayonnaise, you’re making a choice that’s easier on the environment.
It uses fewer resources like water and land, and it cuts down on pollution. Even one small switch can help reduce your food footprint.
No Animal Cruelty
Most eggs used in regular mayo come from large-scale farms where welfare standards can be patchy at best. Vegan mayonnaise sidesteps the whole issue.
No chickens are needed at any point in the process, so you get your creamy spread guilt-free. That’s a straightforward way to support better animal welfare with every sandwich.
Lower Risk of Foodborne Illness
Eggs can carry bugs like salmonella if not handled carefully. Vegan mayonnaise, which contains no animal products, doesn’t have this risk.
You can spread it all over your potato salad or coleslaw without worry about raw egg contamination. It’s peace of mind and fewer food safety headaches.
Good for Vegans and Flexitarians Alike
Vegan mayonnaise isn’t just for strict vegans. If you’re trying to cut animal products without giving up on taste, this is an easy swap.
Many flexitarians and vegetarians use it as a smooth, plant-based spread that doesn’t leave them missing anything. It works in classic recipes but fits new eating habits.
Rich, Creamy Taste
Today’s vegan mayonnaise is a world away from the bland or odd-tasting versions of the past. Most brands get the flavour and texture right, with a creamy finish that holds up in any recipe.
Most taste so much like regular mayo, that few people notice the difference. You can still whip up potato salad, dips, and sandwiches without compromise.
Long Shelf Life
Vegan mayonnaise often lasts longer than regular mayo, since it doesn’t contain raw egg. This means fewer worries about spoilage, so your jar can sit in the fridge a bit longer.
It’s handy for households who use mayo less often, or for meal preppers planning ahead.
Quick Way to Go Plant-Based
Sometimes, it’s the small switches that count most. Swapping to vegan mayonnaise is one of the easiest ways to add more plants to your plate.
It doesn’t require any big changes to your eating habits or favourite recipes. Step by step, these little choices add up and can help you feel better about what you eat.
Where to Buy Good Vegan Mayonnaise
BeSaucy is an exciting company, for when you fancy something different to smother on your salad or bowl of chips.
The brand was founded by three siblings: a pastry chef (who has made dessert for the Queen), an anthropologist and the ‘marketing guy’ who used to run a record label and has lived in Amsterdam.
So combined they created flavourful vegan mayos and that are good for you, sustainably packaged and has good energy to sell!
The mayos are made with aquafaba over eggs. Latin for ‘bean water’, it’s basically a ‘vegan meringue’ made by whizzing up the brine water left from canned chickpeas, to make them light and airy. The range includes:
- Dill & gherkin (ideal in a Reuben sandwich)
- Smoked chipotle
- Basil
- Garlic
Another good company is Charlie & Ivy’s (Yorkshire) that makes plant-based mayonnaises, in unique flavours.
Made from carefully selected ingredients, these are ideal for dunking chips, topping veggie burgers or mixing with salads. Sold in glass jars, the range includes:
- Garlic & thyme (perfect for salads, dunking chips, stirred through pasta or risotto or the BBQ)
- Horseradish (perfect to top veggie burgers, dunking chips or in a homemade vegan coleslaw)
- Paprika, chilli & cumin (good for sandwiches, falafel, bean burgers, taco, nachos or fajitas)
A Little Bit offers three tasty vegan mayonnaise versions to choose from. Which one do you prefer: mixed herb, lemon herb or roasted garlic & herb?
Made with rapeseed oil, the garlic version is nice with potato wedges, swirled through pasta or dolloped on a veggie burger.