What Brand Is the Healthiest Mayonnaise for Your Diet?

December 18, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2024 Consumer Reports study, nearly 75% of grocery shoppers actively seek out healthier condiment options, including mayonnaise. But with so many choices, figuring out which brand is truly the healthiest can be a challenge. This article will break down what to look for and compare some of the most popular brands on the market today.

Quick Summary

Ingredient quality, oil type, and nutritional content are key to choosing a healthy mayonnaise. Options made with avocado oil or expeller-pressed oils and minimal additives are often superior. This guide examines popular brands like Primal Kitchen, Chosen Foods, and Sir Kensington's.

Key Points

Prioritize Healthy Oils: The healthiest mayos use 100% avocado oil, high-quality olive oil, or expeller-pressed oils, which offer better fat profiles and fewer inflammatory compounds than standard soybean or canola oil.
Scrutinize the Ingredient List: A shorter, simpler ingredient list is often a sign of a healthier mayonnaise. Look for brands that avoid unnecessary additives like added sugar, artificial flavors, and synthetic preservatives.
Be Wary of 'Light' Options: Many low-fat or light mayonnaises replace fat with starches, gums, and added sugars to maintain texture and flavor, often making them a less healthy choice than their full-fat counterparts.
Consider Quality of Eggs: While not all organic eggs are nutritionally superior, pasture-raised or Certified Humane eggs can indicate a more health-conscious product and better animal welfare standards.
Vegan Can Be Healthy: For those avoiding eggs, vegan mayonnaise can be a great option. When made with high-quality avocado oil, it can offer a comparable fat profile with lower saturated fat.
Compare Top Brands: For those seeking the absolute healthiest option, brands like Primal Kitchen and Chosen Foods, which focus on simple ingredients and 100% avocado oil, are often the best choices.
DIY for Full Control: The healthiest mayonnaise is often homemade, allowing you to choose every ingredient, including the oil, and avoid all commercial additives.

Understanding What Makes a Mayonnaise Healthy

Not all mayonnaise is created equal. The healthiness of a particular brand is determined by a few key factors, primarily its oil type, egg source, and the presence of additives and sugar. A traditional mayonnaise is a simple emulsion of oil, egg yolk, and an acid like vinegar or lemon juice. However, many commercial brands introduce low-quality ingredients to cut costs.

The Importance of Healthy Fats: Oil Type Matters

Avocado Oil: Avocado oil is a popular choice for health-conscious consumers due to its high content of monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health. Brands using 100% avocado oil are often considered among the healthiest.
Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is also rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. However, many major brands that advertise 'olive oil' mayonnaise actually blend it with less healthy soybean or canola oils. Always check the ingredient list to ensure you're getting a high-quality product.
Expeller-Pressed vs. Refined Oils: The way an oil is processed can affect its quality. Expeller-pressed oils are extracted with mechanical pressure, avoiding the chemical solvents used in the refining process. Look for 'expeller-pressed' on the label for higher quality.

The Egg and Additive Dilemma

Pasture-Raised Eggs: The quality of the eggs used can also contribute to a healthier product. While marketing terms like 'cage-free' or 'free-range' don't guarantee better nutrition, organic, pasture-raised eggs are typically from chickens with better living conditions and potentially a healthier diet.
Avoiding Unnecessary Additives: Many conventional mayonnaises use preservatives like calcium disodium EDTA to increase shelf life. They also often contain 'natural flavors' and added sugars, especially in 'light' or 'reduced-fat' versions. Healthier options stick to simple, natural ingredients.

Vegan and Low-Calorie Alternatives

Vegan Mayonnaise: For those avoiding eggs, vegan mayo uses plant-based emulsifiers like pea protein. It can be a healthy option, especially when made with a high-quality oil like avocado oil, and is generally lower in saturated fat.
Light/Reduced-Fat Mayo: Be wary of these. To compensate for the reduced fat content, many manufacturers add starches, gums, and artificial sweeteners, which can detract from the overall health profile.

Comparison of Healthy Mayonnaise Brands (2025)


Brand	Primary Oil	Key Health Pros	Key Considerations	Notes
Primal Kitchen	100% Avocado Oil	Simple, clean ingredients; zero added sugar; rich in monounsaturated fats; keto and paleo-friendly.	Higher price point; specific taste may not be for everyone.	Arguably the top contender for the healthiest option.
Chosen Foods	Avocado Oil	Uses avocado oil; simple ingredients; offers vegan and organic options.	Can taste overly seasoned to some palates.	A very solid choice with a good range of products.
Sir Kensington's Avocado Oil	Avocado Oil	Good, tangy flavor; uses Certified Humane Free Range eggs; zero carbs.	Standard versions use sunflower oil, which has a higher omega-6 content.	Stick to the avocado oil version for the healthiest profile.
Better Body Foods	100% Avocado Oil	Made with 100% avocado oil; no soybean or canola oil; soy-free and canola-free.	Less widely available than larger brands.	Excellent choice if you prioritize 100% avocado oil.
Follow Your Heart Vegenaise	Expeller-Pressed Canola/Avocado Oil	Great vegan option; offers versions with avocado oil and organic ingredients.	Standard vegan mayo uses expeller-pressed canola oil; check ingredients for specific version.	A leader in the vegan category with multiple healthy versions.
365 Organic Mayonnaise (Whole Foods)	Organic Expeller-Pressed Canola Oil	All organic ingredients; widely available; good option for organic shoppers.	Uses canola oil as the primary ingredient.	A good organic, budget-friendly choice, though not avocado oil-based.

Making the Healthiest Choice for You

Choosing the healthiest mayonnaise is a personal decision based on your dietary needs, budget, and taste preferences. While some brands like Primal Kitchen offer a pure, top-tier ingredient list, others like Sir Kensington's provide a healthier alternative within a more traditional flavor profile. For those prioritizing organic ingredients, Whole Foods' 365 brand is a dependable choice. The key is to look past the marketing claims and scrutinize the ingredient list yourself. Avoid products with refined oils (like standard soybean oil or sunflower oil) and unnecessary additives, especially added sugar and artificial preservatives. Making your own mayonnaise is also an easy option that gives you complete control over the ingredients, often using heart-healthy oils like avocado or light olive oil.

Conclusion

Ultimately, there is no single "healthiest" mayonnaise brand for everyone, as needs differ. However, for most consumers prioritizing clean ingredients and healthy fats, brands like Primal Kitchen and Chosen Foods are consistently ranked at the top. Their use of 100% avocado oil, combined with minimal, high-quality ingredients, gives them a significant advantage over conventional options laden with less-desirable additives and highly refined oils. By focusing on ingredient quality, especially the type of oil, you can easily find a mayonnaise that fits into a healthy lifestyle without sacrificing flavor. A careful reading of the label is the most important step towards making an informed decision. For more detailed nutritional information on specific ingredients, consider consulting resources like the Center for Science in the Public Interest's ingredient guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, avocado oil mayonnaise is generally considered healthier than regular mayonnaise, which often uses less-desirable, refined oils like soybean or canola oil. Avocado oil provides a better profile of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

Look for a short, simple ingredient list. Prioritize brands that use 100% avocado oil, organic eggs, and expeller-pressed oils. Avoid added sugars, artificial flavors, and preservatives like calcium disodium EDTA, especially in 'light' versions.

Not necessarily. Many 'light' or 'reduced-fat' mayonnaises compensate for less fat by adding sugars, starches, and other additives. A small amount of full-fat, high-quality mayonnaise can be a healthier choice than a larger portion of a highly-processed light version.

Yes, making mayonnaise at home is the best way to ensure the highest quality ingredients. You have complete control over the type of oil, the freshness of eggs, and can avoid all commercial additives.

For homemade mayonnaise, the healthiest options are avocado oil or light-tasting olive oil. Both are rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. For maximum omega-3s, some choose cold-pressed flaxseed oil, though it has a more noticeable flavor.

Vegan mayonnaise can be healthier if it's made with high-quality, healthy oils like avocado oil. It is typically lower in saturated fat since it doesn't contain egg yolks. However, the healthiness depends entirely on the specific brand's ingredients, as some vegan mayos use refined oils and additives.

Brands like Primal Kitchen are often recommended for keto diets because they contain no added sugar and are made with 100% avocado oil, providing a good source of healthy fats. Chosen Foods and other avocado oil mayos are also excellent keto-friendly options.