Does All Mayonnaise Contain Soy?

November 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to food labeling regulations, not all mayonnaise contains soy, though soybean oil is a primary ingredient in many commercial varieties. This fact is critical for individuals managing soy allergies or those who follow a soy-free diet, and the good news is that a growing number of alternatives are available.

Quick Summary

Many store-bought mayonnaises contain soy, typically from soybean oil, but numerous alternatives exist. Soy-free and vegan options use different oils and emulsifiers, making careful label reading crucial to identify soy content.

Key Points

Soybean Oil is Common: Many standard commercial mayonnaises, especially in the US, use cost-effective soybean oil as a primary ingredient.
Not All Mayonnaise Contains Soy: Numerous soy-free alternatives exist for those with allergies or specific dietary preferences.
Check the Label Carefully: Always read the ingredients list and look for a "Contains: Soy" statement, as well as less obvious names like soy lecithin or hydrolyzed soy protein.
Soy-Free Alternatives Exist: Options like avocado oil, sunflower oil, and aquafaba-based mayonnaises are readily available from specialty and vegan brands.
Homemade is the Safest Option: Making mayonnaise at home with a non-soy vegetable oil guarantees complete control over the ingredients and eliminates any risk of hidden soy.
Refined Soy Oil is Not Always an Allergen: Highly refined soy oil is generally safe for most with a soy allergy, but unrefined versions must be avoided. Consult an allergist for personal guidance.

The Common Culprit: Soybean Oil in Mayonnaise

For many consumers in the United States, commercial mayonnaise is synonymous with soybean oil. The Food and Drug Administration's standard of identity defines mayonnaise as a semi-solid food made from vegetable oil, egg yolk, and an acid. The vegetable oil is most often soybean oil, primarily because it is a cost-effective and neutral-flavored option for manufacturers. This widespread use means that if you are buying a conventional jar of mayonnaise, there is a high probability that it contains soy.

Some manufacturers, in an effort to appeal to health-conscious consumers, may use olive or avocado oil. However, it is essential to read the ingredients list carefully. Some brands list olive or avocado oil on the front label but still use soybean or canola oil as the primary ingredient due to cost. Being vigilant about the actual ingredients is the only way to avoid unwanted surprises.

How to Identify Soy on a Food Label

If you have a soy allergy or are avoiding soy for other dietary reasons, reading food labels is non-negotiable. The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) in the U.S. mandates that food labels must clearly state the presence of soy. Here’s what you need to look for:

The 'Contains' Statement: Often found below the ingredients list, a bolded statement like "Contains: Soy" is the clearest warning.
The Ingredient List: The word "soy" will be listed in parentheses after a specific ingredient, such as "Lecithin (Soy)".
Other Names for Soy: You must also be aware of the many less-obvious names for soy ingredients. This includes things like: hydrolyzed soy protein, textured soy protein (TSP), soy protein isolate, soy flour, soy milk, soy nuts, edamame, miso, tamari, and tofu.
Refined vs. Unrefined Soy Oil: Most individuals with a soy allergy can tolerate highly refined soy oil because it contains very small levels of soy protein. However, expeller-pressed, extruded, or cold-pressed soy oil is not highly refined and should be avoided. Always consult a healthcare professional for specific guidance on your allergy.

Soy-Free Mayonnaise: Exploring the Alternatives

Fortunately, for those seeking to avoid soy, the market now offers a variety of soy-free mayonnaise options. These products achieve the familiar creamy texture using different ingredients. Here are some of the most common alternatives:

Avocado Oil Mayonnaise: Brands such as Primal Kitchen and Chosen Foods offer mayonnaise made exclusively with avocado oil and cage-free eggs. This is a popular choice for people following paleo or keto diets.
Sunflower and Rapeseed Oil Mayonnaise: Some organic and vegan brands, including Biona, use a blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil to create a smooth, creamy texture.
Aquafaba-Based Vegan Mayonnaise: Vegan brands often use aquafaba, the liquid from cooked chickpeas, as an emulsifier in place of eggs. This makes it a great option for those avoiding both eggs and soy.
Nut-Based Mayonnaise: Certain specialty recipes utilize nuts like cashews or almonds to provide the creamy consistency needed for an egg-free and soy-free spread.

Comparison of Mayonnaise Types

To help you decide, here is a comparison of the typical ingredients found in different types of mayonnaise.


Feature	Conventional Mayonnaise	Soy-Free Mayonnaise	Vegan (Soy-Free) Mayonnaise
Emulsifier	Egg yolk	Egg yolk	Aquafaba, nut protein, pea protein
Oil Type	Often soybean oil	Avocado, sunflower, or olive oil	Avocado, sunflower, or canola oil
Soy Content	High, typically contains soybean oil	No soy	No soy
Primary Diet	Standard diet	Paleo, Keto, soy-free	Vegan, egg-free, soy-free
Common Brands	Hellmann's, Kraft	Primal Kitchen, Chosen Foods	Biona, Follow Your Heart (Soy-Free Vegenaise)

Homemade Mayonnaise: Your Safest Bet

For those with severe allergies or who want absolute control over their food, making mayonnaise at home is the safest option. A standard homemade recipe requires just a few ingredients:

Egg yolk (or a vegan emulsifier like aquafaba)
Neutral-tasting oil (such as canola or avocado oil)
Acid (vinegar or lemon juice)
Seasoning (salt, mustard)

By selecting your own non-soy oil, you can create a delicious, fresh, and guaranteed soy-free condiment in minutes. A blender or immersion blender makes the process very quick and easy. The immersion blender method, in particular, has a very high success rate.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice

While many commercial mayonnaise products do contain soy, it is incorrect to assume that all mayonnaise contains it. With the rise of dietary awareness, manufacturers now offer a wide variety of soy-free and even vegan alternatives, often utilizing avocado or sunflower oil instead of soybean oil. Your best course of action is to always check the ingredients list thoroughly, especially for those less obvious soy derivatives. If you are extremely sensitive or prefer to control your ingredients entirely, making your own mayonnaise at home provides a simple and foolproof solution. With a little knowledge, you can easily navigate the options and find a delicious, soy-free spread for your needs. For further information and resources on managing a soy allergy, you can refer to reputable sources like Kids With Food Allergies.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, while a vast number of major commercial brands use soybean oil, many alternatives are available. Soy-free mayonnaises use other oils like avocado, sunflower, or canola oil.

You can identify soy by checking the allergen statement, which is often found near the ingredient list and will say "Contains: Soy". You should also scan the ingredient list for terms like "soybean oil," "soy lecithin," or "hydrolyzed soy protein".

No, vegan mayonnaise is not automatically soy-free. Some vegan recipes and products use soy milk or soy protein as the emulsifier. Check the label to ensure it uses an alternative emulsifier like aquafaba or pea protein if you are avoiding soy.

Brands like Primal Kitchen, Chosen Foods, and certain Vegenaise varieties (specifically marked soy-free) are well-known for offering soy-free mayonnaise options.

Most people with a soy allergy can tolerate soy lecithin because it contains only a trace amount of soy protein. However, it is always recommended to check with your allergist for specific medical advice, especially for severe allergies.

Aquafaba is the brine or liquid from cooked chickpeas or beans. It can be whipped to emulate egg whites and is used as an emulsifier in egg-free and vegan mayonnaise recipes, making it a viable soy-free alternative.

Yes, making mayonnaise at home is a simple and reliable way to ensure it is soy-free. By using a non-soy vegetable oil, such as avocado or sunflower oil, you can control all the ingredients.