Mayonnaise substitutes
Mayonnaise substitutes — 8 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Greek yogurt
Same amount as the mayonnaise
Thick, creamy yogurt with tangy flavor and similar texture.
The best substitutes for mayonnaise are Greek yogurt, sour cream, avocado, or homemade mayo made with aquafaba or silken tofu.
Mayonnaise is an emulsion — oil and a little vinegar or lemon held together by egg yolk — and that is why it quietly does several jobs at once. It is mostly fat, so it enriches; it is already emulsified, so it keeps a dressing from splitting; it is thick and sticky, so it binds tuna or potato salad into one scoopable mass; and the vinegar in it is why a sandwich tastes bright rather than merely oily. Most swaps cover some of that and not all of it, and the two most often lost are the fat and the tang.
- Best for —
- salads
Updated 26 Jul 2026 · no sponsored swaps
- Jobs
- Fat & richnessprimary
- Moisture & hydrationsecondary
- Acidsecondary
- Bindingsecondary
- Emulsifyingsecondary
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of mayonnaise |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greek yogurtsalads | Same amount |
| 2 | Sour creamdips | Same amount |
| 3 | Avocadospreads | Same amount |
| 4 | Homemade mayo (aquafaba)all uses | Same amount |
| 5 | Silken tofudips | Same amount |
| 6 | Coconut creamdips | Same amount |
| 7 | Hummussandwiches | Same amount |
| 8 | Tahinisandwiches | Same amount |
Greek yogurt
Tangy and creamy, different from mayonnaise
Thick, creamy yogurt with tangy flavor and similar texture.
- Covers
- Moisture & hydration
- Acid
- Binding
- Emulsifying
- Misses
- Fat & richness — not covered
- Best for
- salads, dips, spreads, when you want healthier option
- Texture
- Similar thick, creamy texture
Lower in fat, higher in protein than mayonnaise.
Sour cream
Tangy and creamy, different from mayonnaise
Creamy dairy product with tangy flavor and similar texture.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Moisture & hydration
- Acid
- Binding
- Emulsifying
- Best for
- dips, spreads, baking, when you want tangy flavor
- Texture
- Similar thick, creamy texture
Similar texture to mayonnaise, tangier flavor.
Avocado
Rich and creamy, different from mayonnaise
Creamy fruit that can be mashed or blended for spreadable texture.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Moisture & hydration
- Binding
- Misses
- Acid — not covered
- Emulsifying — not covered
- Best for
- spreads, dips, salads, when you want healthy fats
- Texture
- Similar thick, creamy texture when mashed
- Prep
- Mash ripe avocado with a fork or blend until smooth. Add lemon juice to prevent browning.
Adds healthy fats and nutrients, different flavor.
Homemade mayo (aquafaba)
Similar creamy, tangy flavor to mayonnaise
Vegan mayonnaise made with chickpea liquid.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Moisture & hydration
- Acid
- Binding
- Emulsifying
- Best for
- all uses, vegan recipes, spreads, when you want egg-free option
- Texture
- Similar thick, creamy texture
- Prep
- Whisk 3 tbsp aquafaba with 1 cup oil and 1 tbsp lemon juice until thick and creamy.
Most similar to mayonnaise, vegan alternative.
Silken tofu
Neutral and creamy, different from mayonnaise
Soft tofu that can be blended smooth for creamy texture.
- Covers
- Moisture & hydration
- Binding
- Emulsifying
- Misses
- Fat & richness — not covered
- Acid — not covered
- Best for
- dips, spreads, vegan recipes, when you want protein-rich option
- Texture
- Similar thick, creamy texture when blended
- Prep
- Blend silken tofu with 2-3 tbsp oil and 1 tbsp lemon juice until smooth and creamy.
High in protein, neutral flavor.
Coconut cream
Creamy with coconut flavor, different from mayonnaise
Thick cream from coconut milk with similar texture.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Moisture & hydration
- Binding
- Emulsifying
- Misses
- Acid — not covered
- Best for
- dips, spreads, vegan recipes, when you want coconut flavor
- Texture
- Similar thick, creamy texture
- Prep
- Use thick part of coconut milk. Whisk if needed to smooth out lumps.
May impart coconut flavor, solidifies when cold.
Hummus
Earthy and nutty, different from mayonnaise
Chickpea spread with different flavor but similar texture.
- Covers
- Moisture & hydration
- Acid
- Binding
- Emulsifying
- Misses
- Fat & richness — not covered
- Best for
- sandwiches, salads, dips, when you want different flavor
- Texture
- Similar thick, spreadable texture
Different flavor profile, higher in protein.
Tahini
Nutty and rich, different from mayonnaise
Sesame seed paste with different flavor but similar texture.
- Covers
- Fat & richness
- Binding
- Emulsifying
- Misses
- Moisture & hydration — not covered
- Acid — not covered
- Best for
- sandwiches, salads, dips, when you want nutty flavor
- Texture
- Similar thick, spreadable texture
- Prep
- May need to thin with water or lemon juice.
Different flavor profile, higher in healthy fats.
Questions
7 questionsCan I use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise?
Yes, Greek yogurt works well as a substitute, especially in salads and dips. It's lower in fat and higher in protein, but has a tangier flavor.
What's the difference between mayonnaise and Miracle Whip?
Miracle Whip is a salad dressing that's sweeter and tangier than mayonnaise. It contains less oil and more sugar and vinegar than traditional mayonnaise.
Can I make mayonnaise without eggs?
Yes, you can make vegan mayonnaise using aquafaba (chickpea liquid), silken tofu, or other plant-based ingredients as the base.
Why does my mayonnaise separate?
Mayonnaise can separate if the oil is added too quickly or if the ingredients are at different temperatures. To fix it, slowly whisk in a teaspoon of water or lemon juice.
What's the difference between mayonnaise and Greek yogurt?
Mayonnaise is made from oil, egg yolks, and vinegar, while Greek yogurt is fermented milk. Both have creamy texture but different flavors and nutritional profiles.
Can I use avocado instead of mayonnaise?
Yes, avocado can work as a substitute, though it has a different flavor and texture. It provides similar creaminess and can be used in most recipes.
Why is mayonnaise so popular in cooking?
Mayonnaise is popular because it adds creamy, tangy flavor and is versatile in many different types of cuisine and dishes.
Tips for substituting mayonnaise
12 tips- Mayonnaise adds creaminess and helps bind ingredients together
- Mayonnaise can be used as a base for many sauces and dressings
- Mayonnaise works well in baking to add moisture and richness
- Mayonnaise can be flavored with herbs, spices, and other ingredients
- Mayonnaise should be stored in the refrigerator after opening
- Mayonnaise can separate if frozen, so it's best to use fresh
- Mayonnaise adds creamy, tangy flavor to dishes
- Mayonnaise can be used in both sweet and savory dishes
- Mayonnaise pairs well with mustard, pickles, and herbs
- Mayonnaise works well in sandwiches, salads, and dips
- Mayonnaise can be used to make dressings and sauces
- Store mayonnaise in the refrigerator