Can I eat mayonnaise on a carnivore diet?

According to nutrition experts, most store-bought mayonnaises contain inflammatory seed oils and non-animal additives, making them non-compliant for a carnivore diet. However, it is possible to eat mayonnaise on a carnivore diet by making a homemade version with approved animal-based ingredients.

Quick Summary

Store-bought mayonnaise is generally not permitted on a carnivore diet due to inflammatory seed oils and plant-based ingredients. Making your own carnivore-friendly mayonnaise at home with approved animal fats like tallow or duck fat, and eggs, is a simple solution. This process ensures compliance while providing a creamy, flavorful condiment.

Key Points

• Store-bought mayo is not allowed: Standard commercial mayonnaise contains inflammatory seed oils and other plant-based additives, which are prohibited on a carnivore diet.

• Homemade mayo is the solution: You can make a carnivore-compliant mayonnaise at home using animal fats like tallow or duck fat, egg yolks, and salt.

• Use approved animal fats: Replace problematic seed oils with fats such as beef tallow, bacon grease, or duck fat for a healthy and flavorful condiment base.

• Be cautious with other ingredients: While some may tolerate small amounts of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, a strict carnivore mayo contains only animal products and salt.

• Emulsification is key: To achieve the creamy texture, slowly drizzle melted (but not hot) animal fat into room-temperature egg yolks while blending.

• Enjoy a controlled flavor: Making your own allows you to control the taste and ensure there are no hidden, non-compliant ingredients.

• Community supports homemade: The carnivore community widely recommends and shares recipes for homemade mayonnaise as the approved alternative.

Why store-bought mayonnaise is not carnivore-friendly

The carnivore diet is founded on the principle of consuming exclusively animal products. This means eliminating all plant-based foods, including oils derived from seeds and vegetables, as well as sugars and additives. A quick look at the ingredients list of most commercial mayonnaise brands reveals why they are completely off-limits.

The problem with seed oils

Most mainstream mayonnaise relies on cheap, industrially produced seed oils such as soybean, canola, or safflower oil. These polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) are highly inflammatory and prone to oxidation, especially during processing. A core tenet of the carnivore diet is to avoid these oils entirely due to their potential negative health impacts and inflammatory properties. By replacing these oils with animal-based fats, homemade carnivore mayonnaise eliminates this significant health concern.

Other non-compliant ingredients

Beyond seed oils, store-bought mayonnaise often contains a range of other non-carnivore ingredients. These can include sugars, spices, and thickeners like xanthan gum or guar gum, which are plant-derived. A truly strict carnivore approach eliminates these entirely to avoid any plant matter or processing aids. Creating your own mayo at home gives you complete control over every ingredient, ensuring you maintain a pure carnivore lifestyle.

How to make your own carnivore mayonnaise

Making your own carnivore-approved mayonnaise is surprisingly simple and requires only a few key ingredients. The process centers on creating a stable emulsion of animal fat and eggs.

Step-by-step recipe for carnivore mayonnaise

1. Gather ingredients: You'll need animal fat (such as beef tallow, duck fat, or bacon grease), egg yolks, and a pinch of salt. Optional ingredients like a splash of apple cider vinegar can be added for flavor if you follow a more flexible animal-based approach.
2. Combine egg yolks and salt: Place your room-temperature egg yolks and a pinch of salt into a tall, narrow container suitable for an immersion blender.
3. Slowly add the fat: While blending with the immersion blender, very slowly drizzle in your melted (but not hot) animal fat. This is the most critical step. Going too fast will break the emulsion and prevent the mayo from thickening.
4. Blend until thick: Continue blending until the mixture becomes thick, creamy, and pale yellow. The blender should be held at the bottom initially to start the emulsion, then moved slowly upward.
5. Store and enjoy: Transfer the finished mayonnaise to an airtight jar and refrigerate. It will firm up further as it chills.

Homemade vs. Store-bought Mayonnaise: A Comparison

| Feature | Homemade Carnivore Mayo | Store-Bought Mayo | | --- | --- | --- | | Main Fat Source | Animal fats (tallow, duck fat, lard, bacon grease) | Inflammatory seed oils (canola, soybean) | | Plant-Based Ingredients | None (or minimal, if following a less strict approach) | Often contains sugar, vinegar, spices, gums | | Health Implications | Supports a carnivore lifestyle, avoids inflammatory oils | High in omega-6 PUFAs, potential inflammation risk | | Ingredient Control | Complete control over every ingredient | No control; reliant on manufacturer's choices | | Processing | Minimal processing, fresh ingredients | Highly processed, uses industrial oils | | Compliance | 100% carnivore-compliant | Not carnivore-compliant |

A note on flavor and customization

One of the main benefits of making your own mayonnaise is the ability to control the flavor profile. While a strict carnivore mayo contains only animal products and salt, some people may tolerate a small amount of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to add a tangy flavor. Similarly, the choice of animal fat will influence the taste, with bacon grease creating a smoky flavor and beef tallow providing a more neutral one. This flexibility allows you to tailor your condiments to your personal preferences while still adhering to the diet's core principles.

The carnivore community perspective

Within the carnivore community, the consensus is clear: avoid store-bought mayonnaise at all costs. The inclusion of seed oils and other plant-based ingredients makes it fundamentally incompatible with the diet. For those who miss the creamy texture, homemade carnivore mayonnaise is the widely accepted and celebrated solution. It allows individuals to continue enjoying a classic condiment without compromising their health goals or dietary integrity. This commitment to purity extends to other seasonings as well; many carnivores choose to make their own sauces or simply rely on salt to flavor their meat. For more on the benefits of an animal-based diet, see the resource from Doctor Kiltz.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you cannot eat standard store-bought mayonnaise on a carnivore diet due to the presence of non-compliant ingredients like inflammatory seed oils and plant additives. However, by preparing a homemade version using animal fats (tallow, lard, etc.), eggs, and salt, you can create a delicious and completely compliant condiment. This simple act of culinary self-sufficiency allows you to enjoy the rich, creamy flavor of mayonnaise while staying true to the principles of your diet. The key is to take control of your ingredients and avoid the highly processed, non-carnivore products that dominate supermarket shelves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is store-bought mayonnaise bad for a carnivore diet?

Store-bought mayonnaise is problematic for the carnivore diet because it is typically made with inflammatory seed oils (like soybean or canola), sugar, and other non-animal additives that are strictly avoided on this dietary plan.

What kind of fat should I use for carnivore mayonnaise?

For carnivore mayonnaise, you should use animal-based fats. Excellent options include beef tallow, bacon grease, lard, or duck fat, all of which are compliant with the diet.

Can I use olive oil in my carnivore mayonnaise?

No, a strict carnivore diet excludes all plant-based products, including olive oil. While some on an 'animal-based' diet might include it, it is not considered true carnivore.

Is making homemade mayonnaise difficult?

No, making homemade carnivore mayonnaise is quite simple. The key is to add the melted animal fat very slowly while blending to create a stable emulsion with the egg yolks.

Can I use a whole egg instead of just the yolk?

Using just the egg yolk provides a richer, creamier texture and is the standard for traditional and carnivore mayonnaise. However, some recipes do use whole eggs, though the result may differ slightly in consistency.

What can I add for flavor if I can't use spices?

For strict carnivores, the flavor comes from the chosen animal fat (e.g., smoky bacon grease) and salt. For those on a slightly more flexible animal-based approach, a small amount of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice can be used.

How long does homemade carnivore mayonnaise last?

Homemade mayonnaise should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It typically lasts for about a week, as it contains no preservatives.