Eggs
Vegan alternative to mayonnaise: the best substitutes
Everything you need to replace mayonnaise with a plant-based substitute — which one to use, the exact ratio, and the mistakes that ruin the result.
Short answer
Key takeaways
- Best all-round swap: Aquafaba mayo (homemade, cheap, neutral).
- Ratio: 1:1.
- Pro tip: Blend soy milk and oil with the stick blender held still for 10 seconds before lifting — that's what makes it emulsify.
- 3 tested vegan alternatives to mayonnaise in total.
Why mayonnaise isn't vegan
Emulsified with egg yolk.
Best vegan substitutes
| Substitute | Best for |
|---|---|
| Aquafaba mayo | Homemade, cheap, neutral |
| Soy milk + oil immersion-blended mayo | 1-minute homemade |
| Store-bought vegan mayo | Sandwiches, potato salad, aioli |
How to substitute mayonnaise, step by step
- 1
Pick the right substitute for the job
For most recipes use Aquafaba mayo — homemade, cheap, neutral. If you need a different texture, Soy milk + oil immersion-blended mayo works for 1-minute homemade.
- 2
Measure using the correct ratio
1:1. Weigh rather than eyeball it — small errors show up much faster when replacing mayonnaise.
- 3
Adjust the method
Blend soy milk and oil with the stick blender held still for 10 seconds before lifting — that's what makes it emulsify.
- 4
Taste and correct
Plant swaps are usually a little less salty and less rich than mayonnaise. Season at the end and add acid (lemon, vinegar) or umami (miso, nutritional yeast) if the dish tastes flat.
Mistakes to avoid
- Swapping by volume when the recipe measures mayonnaise by weight — check the ratio above first.
- Using a sweetened or flavoured version in a savoury recipe.
- Ignoring the method change: Blend soy milk and oil with the stick blender held still for 10 seconds before lifting — that's what makes it emulsify.
- Assuming every packaged product labelled "plant-based" is vegan — some still contain milk powder, honey or egg. Scan the barcode to be sure.
Conversion ratio
1:1.
Pro tip
Blend soy milk and oil with the stick blender held still for 10 seconds before lifting — that's what makes it emulsify.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best vegan alternative to mayonnaise?
- Aquafaba mayo is the closest all-round swap — homemade, cheap, neutral. 1:1.
- Why isn't mayonnaise vegan?
- Emulsified with egg yolk.
- How much do I use instead of mayonnaise?
- 1:1.
- Any tips for getting it right?
- Blend soy milk and oil with the stick blender held still for 10 seconds before lifting — that's what makes it emulsify.
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