This blog outlines what mayonnaise is primarily used for, what can be substituted for it. And how they may be different from mayonnaise in texture and taste.
What can I use instead of mayonnaise?
The following are possible substitutes for mayonnaise:
- Sour cream
- Greek yoghurt
What is mayonnaise?
Mayonnaise is a thick, emulsified, creamy white condiment most often used as dips, dressings or to add moisture, flavour and texture to popular snacks. It is primarily made of oil, egg yolk, and an acid like vinegar or lemon juice.
Many herbs and flavourings can be added to it to suit each individuals liking. This ranges from garlic mayos to low-fat or vegan mayos.
What is mayonnaise used for?
Mayonnaise is used for a number of things; it can be incorporated into dishes or used as a topic or dip. Listed below are ways in which mayonnaise is most commonly consumed:
Mayonnaise is used commonly as dips for snacks such as breadsticks and crackers, and is also used to spruce up healthy snacks like vegetable sticks.
Mayonnaise can be slathered onto things like sandwiches, burger buns, pizza bases, rotis and other bread variants to add moisture and flavour. This method is used for children’s lunchboxes quite commonly.
- In pasta
It can be added to pasta in a pinch to make it creamier. This method is usually used for white sauce pasta.
Mayonnaise can be mixed with other ingredients such as chopped up veggies, chicken or tuna, that can be used in sandwiches or cutlets, for example.
- Salad dressing
Mayonnaise can be mixed with honey, vinegar and herbs to form a delicious salad dressing that livens up your healthy bowl of greens.
What are can be used instead of mayonnaise?
1. Sour cream
Sour cream is produced by fermenting dairy cream with lactic acid bacteria. It is tart in flavour and is used as a common substitute for dips and dressings. It contains a fair amount of nutrients such as vitamin A, riboflavin and vitamin b12, but contains far less calories that traditional mayonnaise.
The tart flavor, unlike in mayonnaise, adds a refreshing twist to sandwiches, salads and dips. It is commonly added with chopped parsley and seasoning powders.
Avocados, when mashed, are just as creamy and dense as mayonnaise and is the most accurate substitute in terms of texture. This is a much healthier option, not to mention it is also vegan. It can be added with seasoning to pasta, salads, spreads and used as dips so is quite versatile as a substitute for mayonnaise.
Avocados are also rich in healthy fats and are nutrient-rich as it contains fibre, folate, etc.
Pesto is an Italian paste made of olive oil and minced basil leaves. Although quite different in both texture and taste, it is definitely a substitute to consider as it is packed with flavor and will definitely add a load of flavour to your sandwiches and dips. It is also popularly eaten with pasta as a sauce.
Another healthy option, it can be flavored to taste. It is packed with protein and healthy nutrients and is fairly versatile, however, it is less viscous. It is just as tart and creamy and is a common healthy substitute for mayo in salads and dips.
Since eggs play a huge role in the production of mayonnaise, you won’t be surprised to find that mashing up eggs match the texture and taste of mayonnaise fairly closely. It also contains far fewer calories and more nutrients. It is commonly used in salads, spreads and fillings.
Hummus is a middle-eastern dish made of blended chickpeas, garlic, water and a little bit of oil. It is a healthier option but is limited in use as it is mainly eaten as a spread or dip. It can be eaten with chopped up veggies for a healthy snack.
Mustard is a sauce made from mustard seeds and has a kick of tang that can help liven up your salads, sandwiches and wraps. As it is packed with so much flavour, it is usually consumed as is without the need for any extra seasoning.
There are two kinds of mustard; honey mustard, which is sweeter and tangier, and Dijon mustard which is spicier and has more of a kick. Each of these can be used according to your desire.
Aoili is extremely similar to mayonnaise as it is made from the same ingredients. It originates from the south of France and Spain. It uses olive instead so is brighter in colour.
There are fortunately many substitutes to mayonnaise with both vegan and low-calorie options. Most of these alternatives are incredibly versatile and packed with flavour. Most of these can be found at your nearby grocery store if not already at home.