Vegan mayo used to be a niche product you could only find at health food stores. Now it's in every major grocery chain, and some of the biggest condiment companies in the world make their own version. The quality has caught up too. The best vegan mayos are thick, tangy, and creamy enough that most people can't tell the difference from the egg-based original.

We've been keeping tabs on the vegan mayo market since 2017, and the landscape has changed completely. Brands have come and gone, formulas have improved, and the options available today are genuinely impressive. If you're also exploring egg-free options for baking and cooking, check out our full egg-free mayonnaise guide.

Here are the best vegan mayo brands you can buy right now.

Best Vegan Mayo Brands

1. Hellmann's Vegan

Hellmann's (known as Best Foods west of the Rockies) launched a vegan version that quickly became the easiest recommendation on this list. It tastes remarkably close to their classic mayo. The texture is spot-on, it spreads well on sandwiches, and it works perfectly in recipes that call for regular mayo.

The base is a blend of canola oil and modified food starch, with no soy protein (which can leave a beany aftertaste in some vegan mayos). You can find it at pretty much any grocery store, including Walmart, Target, and most regional chains. For most people switching from regular mayo to vegan, Hellmann's is the smoothest transition because the taste is so familiar. It's also one of the most affordable options on this list, usually priced within a dollar or two of the regular version.

2. Follow Your Heart Vegenaise

Vegenaise is the OG of vegan mayo. Follow Your Heart has been making it since the early 2000s, well before plant-based eating went mainstream. It has a slightly tangier flavor than Hellmann's and a consistency that's a touch lighter.

They offer several varieties: Original, Soy Free, Grapeseed Oil, Avocado Oil, and Organic. The Original remains the fan favorite. Vegenaise also performs well in baked goods and dressings, which makes it a versatile kitchen staple. It's the one most longtime vegans swear by, and for good reason. The Soy Free version is especially useful for anyone managing soy allergies alongside a vegan diet, and the Grapeseed Oil variety has a noticeably lighter mouthfeel.

3. Sir Kensington's Fabanaise

Sir Kensington's took a different approach by using aquafaba (the liquid from chickpea cans) as the emulsifier instead of soy or pea protein. The result is a clean, light flavor that doesn't have any of the protein-y taste some vegan mayos carry.

The "Special Sauce" flavor is worth trying too. It's basically a vegan Thousand Island dressing and works great on burgers. Sir Kensington's is owned by Unilever now, so availability has gotten much better in recent years. You'll find it at most Whole Foods locations and many conventional grocery stores.

4. Primal Kitchen Vegan Mayo

Primal Kitchen's vegan mayo is made with avocado oil, which gives it a richer flavor and a slightly different nutritional profile. Avocado oil is high in monounsaturated fats (the heart-healthy kind), so if that matters to you, this is a solid pick.

The texture is thick and holds up well in potato salads and coleslaws. It does have a faint avocado oil taste that some people love and others don't notice. Primal Kitchen also makes a chipotle lime version that's excellent for tacos and grain bowls. One thing to note: Primal Kitchen uses cassava as part of their emulsifier system, which gives it a uniquely smooth consistency that's different from the soy-based brands. If you're following a paleo-adjacent diet in addition to vegan, this one checks all the boxes.

5. Best Foods Plant Based

If you're on the West Coast, this is the same company as Hellmann's (Unilever owns both). Best Foods Plant Based Dressing & Spread uses a nearly identical formula to Hellmann's Vegan. The taste is clean, neutral, and works in every application you'd normally use mayo for.

Some stores carry both the Hellmann's and Best Foods versions, which can be confusing. They're essentially the same product with different labels for different regions. Grab whichever one is on the shelf.

6. Just Mayo (Eat Just)

Just Mayo made headlines years ago when it got into a legal battle with the American Egg Board over whether a product without eggs could be called "mayo." The brand has had some distribution ups and downs, but as of 2026, it's still available online and in select stores.

The formula uses yellow pea protein as the emulsifier. It has a mild, clean taste and a good consistency. Just Mayo also comes in flavors like Sriracha and Garlic. If you can find it in your area, it's worth picking up. The garlic version in particular is great for dipping fries.

Eat Just (the parent company) has shifted a lot of their focus to cultivated meat and JUST Egg in recent years, so the mayo line doesn't get as much marketing attention as it used to. Availability can be spotty depending on your region. Check online grocery delivery services if your local store doesn't carry it.

How We Tested

We've been taste-testing vegan mayo since our original article in 2017. Back then, the options were limited and the quality was hit-or-miss. For this updated guide, we tried each brand in three ways: plain on a spoon, spread on a sandwich, and mixed into a basic potato salad.

We paid attention to flavor (does it taste like mayo or like salad dressing?), texture (thick and creamy vs. thin and runny), and versatility (does it hold up when heated or mixed into recipes?). Price and availability also factored in. A great mayo that you can only buy from one specialty website isn't very useful for most people.

We also tested each brand as a base for dressings by mixing it with lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. This is where you really notice the differences between brands. Some vegan mayos break down when you thin them out, while others stay emulsified and smooth. Vegenaise and Hellmann's performed best in this test, holding their texture even when diluted.

Vegan Mayo vs. Regular Mayo

Traditional mayo is an emulsion of egg yolks, oil, and an acid (usually vinegar or lemon juice). The egg yolk acts as the emulsifier, binding the oil and water together into that thick, creamy consistency.

Vegan mayo replaces the egg with plant-based emulsifiers. Depending on the brand, that could be soy protein, pea protein, aquafaba, or modified food starch. The oil and acid components stay the same.

Nutritionally, vegan mayo is similar to regular mayo in calories and fat content. The main difference is zero cholesterol (since there are no egg yolks). Some brands also use healthier oils like avocado or grapeseed oil instead of the standard soybean or canola oil found in most conventional mayo.

Taste-wise, the best vegan mayos are close enough that most people can't tell the difference in a sandwich or recipe. Eaten straight, there's usually a subtle difference in mouthfeel, but it's minor.

One area where vegan mayo sometimes falls short is in high-heat applications. Traditional egg mayo can separate or break when used in cooking, and vegan mayo has the same issue (sometimes worse, depending on the emulsifier). For things like baking, aioli, or warm sauces, test a small amount first. Most brands hold up fine for sandwiches, dressings, and cold applications.

What to Look For in Vegan Mayo

Oil type matters. Canola and soybean oil are the most common bases. They're neutral in flavor but highly processed. Avocado oil and grapeseed oil cost more but offer a better fatty acid profile. Some people prefer the taste of sunflower oil-based versions.

Check the emulsifier. Soy protein works well but can leave a slight aftertaste. Aquafaba (chickpea water) produces a cleaner flavor. Modified food starch is neutral. Pea protein falls somewhere in the middle.

Watch for added sugar. Some vegan mayos add sugar or cane sugar to balance the flavor. It's not a dealbreaker, but if you're avoiding added sugars, read the label. Hellmann's and Follow Your Heart both keep sugar content minimal.

Shelf life. Vegan mayo generally lasts as long as regular mayo once opened (about two months in the fridge). Unopened, most brands are good for 6 to 12 months. The ones made with fewer preservatives, like Primal Kitchen, may have a shorter window.

Allergen considerations. Many vegan mayos contain soy, which is a common allergen. If soy is a concern, look for Vegenaise Soy Free or Primal Kitchen (which uses cassava-based starch instead). Some brands contain mustard or other allergens, so always check the label even if you've bought the product before. Formulations can change. And while you're checking snack labels, see if your favorite side dishes pass the vegan test: are tater tots vegan?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is vegan mayo healthier than regular mayo?

Calorie-wise, they're about the same. Vegan mayo has zero cholesterol and often uses healthier oils. If you're watching saturated fat or avoiding eggs for allergy reasons, vegan mayo is the better choice. But it's still a high-fat condiment either way.

Can you use vegan mayo in baking?

Yes. Vegan mayo works well as an egg replacement in cakes, muffins, and quick breads. It adds moisture and richness. Use about 3 tablespoons of vegan mayo per egg replaced. Chocolate cake recipes work especially well with this swap.

Why does some vegan mayo taste weird?

The usual culprit is the protein source. Soy protein and pea protein can leave a slightly beany or savory aftertaste. Brands that use aquafaba or modified starch tend to have a cleaner flavor. If one brand didn't work for you, try a different one before giving up on vegan mayo entirely.

Does vegan mayo need to be refrigerated?

Yes, after opening. Treat it exactly like regular mayo. Keep it in the fridge and use it within about two months. Unopened jars are shelf-stable until the expiration date. Don't leave it out at a picnic for hours, same as any mayo.