Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise (Photo by Kelsey Todd on Unsplash)
In the world of condiments, few elicit as much passion and debate as mayonnaise. This creamy, tangy spread has been a staple in kitchens and restaurants for centuries, elevating sandwiches, salads, and countless other dishes with its rich texture and versatile flavor. While some may dismiss it as a simple mixture of eggs, oil, and vinegar, true mayo aficionados know that not all mayonnaises are created equal. From artisanal small-batch creations to beloved supermarket brands, the range of options available today caters to every palate and dietary preference. Whether you’re a die-hard traditionalist or an adventurous foodie seeking new culinary horizons, join us as we dive into the creamy world of mayonnaise to uncover the best spreads that will transform your meals from ordinary to extraordinary. As always, we’d like to see your own recommendations in the comments below!
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The List: Best Mayonnaise, According to Experts
1. Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise
This classic brand of mayonnaise continues to be a top choice and a kitchen staple. “Sure, there is a familiarity that helped the jar take top honors, but its flavor, balance of ingredients and signature jiggle make it unrivaled when it comes to mayonnaise and the certifiable king of this creamy condiment court,” according to Today.
Chances are, you have a jar of Hellmann’s in your fridge right now. Taste of Home says Hellmann’s “combines all of what we want from mayonnaise in a single jar: it’s thick but spreadable; tangy but not too overpowering.”
First introduced in 1905 by Richard Hellmann in New York City, it has since become one of the world’s best-selling mayonnaise brands, prized for its consistent quality and versatility in the kitchen. “Rich and creamy, with a full fat flavor, testers enjoyed this condiment but found it was lacking in vinegar, which would help cut through the richness,” adds Good Housekeeping.
2. Duke’s Real Mayonnaise
Do you desire a tangier mayo? Duke’s could be the one to try. “This mayo has bite, or as the bottle exclaims, ‘it’s got tang!’ But it’s not just tangy, that’s to be expected, it’s smokey, spicy, and earthy — no doubt a consequence of the paprika and cider vinegar. It has a really present flavor that jumps out at you,” according to UPROXX.
Duke’s Mayonnaise has been a Southern staple since 1917. Plus, its recipe is unique because it doesn’t contain sugar. Sporked says that Duke’s “is what homemade mayo should taste like. It’s just got such a lovely, sharp, citrusy bite.”
Developed by Eugenia Duke in Greenville, South Carolina, this cult-favorite condiment has inspired passionate loyalty among its fans, who appreciate its rich taste and versatility in everything from sandwiches and salads to baked goods and regional Southern dishes. “Though on its own some tasters felt the flavor was too strong, it won people over in the potato salad taste test with its vinegary kick,” notes Serious Eats.
3. Kewpie Mayonnaise
If a Japanese-style mayonnaise is what you want, you’ve come to the right place. This mayo has taken over social media recipes for salmon bowls and other Japanese-inspired dishes. “Kewpie mayo tastes great on sushi but don’t just limit it to Japanese food. Use this stuff on anything else you normally put mayonnaise on and your taste buds are sure to be thrilled,” according to Mashed.
This mayo is known for its rich, creamy texture and distinctively tangy flavor, which comes from the use of rice vinegar and egg yolks instead of whole eggs. Today suggests Kewpie, “is also known for its distinct egginess that makes it almost custard-like but without the sweetness — only umaminess. Use this to make aiolis or spicy mayos that taste gourmet (as if you whipped the mayo’s eggs yourself) and not out of a plastic container.”
Instantly recognizable by its soft plastic bottle adorned with a Kewpie doll logo, this beloved condiment has gained international popularity for its versatility in both traditional Japanese dishes and fusion cuisine. UPROXX points out it’s, “creamy, sweet, luxurious, bright, sumptuous, umami-packed. This mayo explodes with flavor while improving whatever you put it on.”
4. Sir Kensington’s Classic Mayonnaise
Looking for a lemony mayonnaise? Here’s a solid choice. “With a punch of tangy lemon, a distinctly artisanal taste and smooth texture, Sir Kensington’s quickly topped our list as the most gourmet mayo of the taste test. Our editors felt that it tasted almost homemade, wasn’t too thick or too sweet, and made the perfect dip for fries or spread for a sandwich,” according to Tasting Table.
Sir Kensington’s mayonnaise is a premium condiment that has gained popularity for its high-quality, non-GMO ingredients and commitment to ethical sourcing. Known for its rich, creamy texture and balanced flavor profile, this gourmet mayonnaise stands out with its use of free-range eggs, sunflower oil, and a touch of lemon juice, appealing to health-conscious consumers and food enthusiasts looking for a more sophisticated alternative to traditional mayonnaise brands. UPROXX says it “uses humane-certified free-range eggs, sunflower oil, cane sugar, and organic lemon juice and everything tastes well incorporated.”
5. Primal Kitchen Real Mayonnaise
Want a healthier mayo option? This one is made with avocado oil. “It’s extremely keto-friendly with zero net carbs and a whopping 12 grams of healthy fats to keep you in ketosis. The taste is actually much more flavorful than traditional mayo, and the texture is creamy as it should be,” according to Bodyketosis.
Primal Kitchen Real Mayonnaise has a clean, creamy taste with a subtle tang, delivering the classic mayo flavor profile. “The texture seems very similar to standard mayo when scooping from the jar, but we noticed it feels more oily when you’re actually consuming it, which makes it a little easier to spread without globs everywhere,” adds The Nutrition Insider.
Think the experts missed the best mayonnaise? Leave your opinions in the comments below!
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Blue Plate mayonnaise is the Absolute BEST
There are several excellent “street” mayos available in Amsterdam, sometimes customized by one vendor or pub AND locals enjoy the variety. Best branded sauces do not work for me. I get better results just adding my own herbs and even a dab of sour cream depending on the contents of my sandwich or side dish. Mayonnaise is a bit like BIER or BEER, in that it does not travel well and stabilizers alter the taste especially over shelf time. One famous BIER Ausschenk in Bremen serves its best products only a few feet away from where it is brewed. In this matter, Best / Hellmans has done wonders in offering a consistent base product. If you keep your favorite trimmable herbs and a fresh lemon near your cooking station, Best’s Mayo can be a great base ingredient. In the matter of sour cream, do a taste test, around here we prefer Umpqua.
BLUE PLATE tastes the best to me, especially on a tomato sandwich!
Kraft mayo is the best and should be # 1 . Been to three grocery stores and they were out of Kraft again .So I buy three jars when it stock
The best mayo ever made is DUKES mayonnaise without a doubt ! Raised eating DUKES and no other mayo stacks up to the delicious complex flavor of # 1 DUKES mayonnaise.
Well this article failed, you forgot Blue Plate.
???? agree!
I prefer Miracle Whip myself.
There ought to be a LAW against MW
I have to agree! As a child, I thought I hated all sandwich meat, i.e. ham, bologna, Tuna, but I found out it was the MW, which my mom liked. I love all kinds of sandwiches now that I use Best Foods mayo. I cannot stand any other mayo, although I never knew there was Duke’s or a couple of other brands people have mentioned. Store brands, Kraft, yuck to me.
Miracle whip is salad dressing not mayo
You forgot Cain’s mayonnaise….????????????
Duke’s is a superior mayonnaise in every way. Unlike Hellman’s it has no sugar, it has a much more consistent texture, it has a truer taste and it is Made in America.
All mayor suck now as they wayyyyy to thin and soupy. Hellmans and Kraft used to be best in the big Quart jars. Now they are all too soupy.
Mayonnaise is supposed to be made with lemon juice. I have used Kraft for years but the taste changed so I went with hellmans now that one has changed. They all taste like vinegar and powdered flavors. I am going back to basics and make my own. With lemon
Sure wish you’d given INGREDIENTS for each mayonaise.
This was made by hellmans who is now China bought and paid for. I used hellmans for 70 years of my life but NEVER AGAIN . My whole USED to use hellmans but not now I will never trust them…
Same here. Now Duke’s mayo rules our house.
100% wrong hellman’s is owned by Unilever a british company you are misinformed
Not sure where your information is from. But Hellmann was bought out by unilever. A British company. Has no ties to China.
In New England it’s Cains although it’s getting harder to find.
Was raised on Hellman’s…matured on Duke’s!
Yup mayonnaise’s explosion in popularity is driven by unprecedented popularity among young people(Gen Z and Alpha and The youngest millennials on the cusp of Gen Z) I heard that older millennials and generation x and Boomers were more or less much less in favor of mayonnaise when they were young.
Too many of these have a preservative in them. I love the taste of Dukes but can’t find a preservative free version. Do they make one? I don’t buy any of the others with preservatives so stick with a few tried and true natural/organic ones or make my own.
How will Hellmans stack up against Blue Plate mayo now that the Chinese have bought Hellmans???
Blue plate is my favorite.
mine too! Blue Plate uses only the egg yolks instead of the whole egg. That’s just one difference.
Was Kraft mayo tested? Heinz also makes a good mayo.