For so many Americans, mayonnaise is among their most favorite condiments. It works well with several dishes, and you’ll find it so addictive, you’ll be emptying jar after jar of mayo. You can use it as a dip or a filling, and may even end up slathering spoonfuls of it onto your dish.
If you suddenly find that you’ve run out of mayo, fret not. There are various items that can be used as a mayonnaise substitute. Here’s what you should know about mayo and creative alternatives for it.
What Is Mayonnaise?
Consider mayo a gift to the world from the French.
Raw egg yolks are whipped continuously while vegetable oil is gradually added till the mixture reaches a thick, creamy consistency. You can also add flavors like lemon or mint to give it that extra oomph.
Interestingly enough, it’s one of those food items that we love to hate and hate to love. It does have healthy unsaturated fats, but excessive consumption of mayonnaise might not be the best idea. So, keep an eye on how much of this stuff you add to your food.
Mayonnaise Substitute
You can also use alternatives for mayo if you’re looking to cut your calorie intake. One tablespoon of mayonnaise has a whopping 90 calories and 10 grams of fat. There aren’t any proteins or fibers in the condiment, let alone nutritional value.
If you’re open to moving on from mayo, a healthy substitute will add an interesting dimension to your dish as well as provide added health benefits.
Here are some great alternatives to mayonnaise if you’re looking to eat healthily:
#1. Mashed Avocado
Image source: Pinterest
This alternative owes its fame to its creamy and dense texture that dissolves on your tongue. With barely 25-30 calories per tablespoon, avocado has a rich composition of monounsaturated fat and vitamin C. Popular opinion is that it tastes a lot better than mayo.
A light drizzle of olive oil on mashed avocado makes for a great accompaniment to your sandwiches and salads.
#2. Low-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt
Having gained incredible popularity over the last few years due to its dynamic nature and nutritional value, low-fat plain Greek yogurt is an excellent substitute for mayo. The flavor is quite similar as well.
You gain 8 calories and 1.5 grams of protein and calcium from this condiment. It works great with sandwiches, salads, and meat.
#3. Hummus
Undoubtedly one of the healthiest alternatives to mayonnaise, hummus has way fewer calories and a lot more fiber, proteins, and antioxidants.
From the heart of Mediterranean lands, hummus is made using pureed chickpeas, garlic, olive oil, and a dash of lemon juice. It has a calorie count of 25, with one gram each of fiber and protein.
It is a great accompaniment to most meat main courses and works best with sandwiches and salads.
#4. Pesto
Italian cuisine enthusiasts, this one’s for you.
Pesto sauce contains basil, pine nuts, and olive oil. It also has an abundance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that contribute to your health. By opting for pesto as an alternative, you cut back roughly 45 calories that you’d gain from a tablespoon of mayo,
This mixture is delectable for pasta, sandwiches, and salads.
#5. Mustard
What’s best about mustard is the variety of flavors available, including the likes of Dijon, honey, yellow, and spicy mustard. The calorie count as compared to mayonnaise is significantly low, at a meager 10 calories per tablespoon.
(Except the honey mustard, that one’s packing calories.)
While it may not be the best option for salt-conscious eaters due to its high sodium, it is an exciting flavorful alternative to mayonnaise.
Homemade Mayonnaise
Instead of sticking to store-bought mayo that can get too boring too fast, you may want to experiment with making your own jar of mayonnaise. It’s economically viable, creamier than processed mayo, and you can customize it to your taste!
All you require is 1 egg, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar, 1 cup of flavored oil, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of the magic ingredient that you would not have anticipated — mustard. You can use a food processor or a blender, or you can brave it by whipping the mixture using a whisk.
Here is a step-by-step process you can follow:
#1. Add the egg to a bowl and begin beating it.
#2. As the texture begins to change, slowly add the vinegar, mustard, and salt.
#3. Incorporate the flavored oil into the mixture, very slowly so you don’t end up with runny mayonnaise.
#4. Check the consistency of the mayonnaise. It needs to be thick and fluffy. If you think it’s too thick, add a little bit of water to loosen it up.
#5. Taste the mixture and make adjustments till you’ve got your preferred taste.
Once you’re happy with your batch of mayo, store it in a tightly sealed container. Make sure you consume all of it within 3 days. The shelf life of homemade mayonnaise is a lot less than that of processed mayo.
Best Mayonnaise Recipes
There’s no lack of delicious recipes where you can add your homemade mayonnaise. Here are a few favorite recipes that have insane chemistry with mayonnaise.
Classic Deviled Eggs
This recipe is a simple, no-nonsense work of magic made using the following ingredients:
6 Hard-boiled eggs
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
Salt
Paprika
Ground black pepper
Make sure your hard-boiled eggs have cooled down. Once they are at room temperature, slice the eggs down the middle and separate the yolks by carefully scooping them out. Transfer all the yolks to a bowl and the whites to a platter.
To the yolk, add the mustard, mayonnaise, vinegar, and some salt according to your preferences, and mix it all till you reach a creamy consistency.
Pour the entire mixture into a piping bag and start piping the yolk mixture into the hollowed-out egg whites. Garnish it with some paprika. Your deviled eggs are ready!
Potato Salad
Who doesn’t love a good-ol’ potato salad?
What You Need:
1 1/2 to 2 pounds of cubed red potatoes
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 hard-boiled peeled and chopped eggs
1/2 chopped onions
3/4 cup mayonnaise
A smidge of sugar and salt
1 stalk celery
Freshly chopped parsley
Start with boiling the potatoes till they’re tender. Drain and set them aside. In a bowl, mix the eggs, mayo, dijon mustard, celery, sugar, salt, and other spices you’d want to add in. Add the potatoes to the mixture after they’ve cooled.
Garnish with parsley and onions if you like. Cover the bowl and refrigerate it for at least 3 hours. The perfect bowl of potato salad is ready!
You might also want to try this Spicy Tuna Hand Rolls recipe by Bev Cooks and this delicious Avocado Lettuce Tomato Sandwich from Simply Cooks.’
A Few Parting Words
If incorporated properly, mayonnaise and its alternatives can be a game-changer for your daily meals. Health-conscious mayo enthusiasts, you’ve got to explore the potential of a mayonnaise substitute.