What is the difference between olive oil mayo and regular mayo?

January 6, 2026 •

5 min read

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, many commercial "olive oil" mayonnaises contain significant amounts of other oils, like soybean or canola, with olive oil often listed further down the ingredient list. This reveals a critical point of difference that goes beyond a simple oil swap, influencing flavor, nutritional profile, and even texture. So, what is the difference between olive oil mayo and regular mayo?

Quick Summary

Olive oil mayonnaise and regular mayonnaise primarily differ in their oil base, affecting their flavor, fat composition, and texture. While regular mayo typically uses neutral-flavored vegetable oils, olive oil mayo incorporates olive oil, which can introduce a more complex, fruitier taste, along with varying fat profiles. Many commercial versions are blends of different oils.

Key Points

Ingredient Differences: Regular mayo is made with neutral vegetable oils (like soybean), while commercial olive oil mayo is often a blend containing olive oil.
Nutritional Variation: Olive oil mayo contains more monounsaturated fats, while regular mayo is often richer in polyunsaturated fats from vegetable oils.
Flavor Profile: Regular mayo has a smooth, neutral taste, whereas olive oil mayo offers a more complex, sometimes fruity flavor.
Culinary Applications: Use regular mayo for classic sandwiches and dressings where a mild flavor is needed, and olive oil mayo for Mediterranean-inspired dishes and dips.
Bitterness in Homemade: Using extra virgin olive oil in homemade mayo can result in a bitter taste, so a milder olive oil is often recommended.
Commercial Product Blends: The amount of actual olive oil in store-bought versions varies significantly, and other vegetable oils are commonly used as fillers.

Ingredients: Beyond the Obvious Oil

At its core, mayonnaise is an emulsion of oil, egg yolk, and an acid like vinegar or lemon juice. The fundamental difference between olive oil mayo and regular mayo lies in the type of oil used. However, the picture is more nuanced than it seems, especially with store-bought products.

Regular Mayonnaise Ingredients

Regular mayonnaise is traditionally made with a neutral-flavored oil, most commonly soybean oil. This choice of oil allows the tangy flavors from the acid and the richness from the egg yolk to dominate without interference. Other ingredients typically include water, egg yolks, vinegar, salt, and sugar. The simple, consistent flavor profile makes it a versatile pantry staple.

Olive Oil Mayonnaise Ingredients

While homemade olive oil mayonnaise is made exclusively with olive oil, most commercial olive oil mayos are actually a blend of oils. Manufacturers often combine olive oil with other vegetable oils, like soybean or canola, to achieve a specific taste and consistency. The amount of olive oil varies by brand, and its placement on the ingredient list indicates its prevalence; the further down the list, the less there is. Using a milder, light olive oil for mayonnaise is often recommended for a less bitter finish.

Nutrition: A Tale of Two Fats

When comparing the nutritional aspects of olive oil mayo and regular mayo, the focus is on the types of fats, which can impact overall health benefits. While both are high-fat condiments, the fatty acid composition is where the key distinction lies.

Regular Mayonnaise Nutrition

Regular mayonnaise, often made with soybean or canola oil, contains a mix of monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and saturated fats. Notably, soybean oil is richer in polyunsaturated fats, including omega-6 and some omega-3 fatty acids, which can help lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels. Standard regular mayo has a consistent calorie count of around 90-100 calories per tablespoon.

Olive Oil Mayonnaise Nutrition

Olive oil mayonnaise features a higher proportion of monounsaturated fats from the olive oil. These heart-healthy fats are known to reduce inflammation and support cardiovascular health. Homemade versions made with extra virgin olive oil offer a higher concentration of antioxidants. However, the nutritional profile of store-bought olive oil mayo varies based on the blend of oils used. Many brands produce a reduced-fat version that has fewer calories but still contains saturated fat.

Flavor and Texture: A Sensory Showdown

Ultimately, the choice between these two mayonnaises often comes down to sensory preference. The type of oil used directly impacts the flavor and texture of the finished product.

Regular Mayonnaise: Smooth and Neutral

Regular mayonnaise has a familiar, creamy texture and a smooth, neutral taste. The mild flavor of the vegetable oil allows it to serve as a blank canvas, making it a reliable choice for everything from simple sandwiches to complex salad dressings. Its consistency is typically thick and spreadable.

Olive Oil Mayonnaise: Complex and Fruity

Olive oil mayonnaise, especially if made with a significant portion of quality olive oil, has a more complex and sometimes slightly fruity flavor. A key consideration is that if extra virgin olive oil is used, it can lend a bitter aftertaste, especially when vigorously blended. The texture can also differ, with some varieties feeling lighter or slightly more oily than regular mayo.

Best Uses: Matching Mayo to Your Meal

The distinct flavors and textures make each type of mayonnaise better suited for specific culinary applications.

Where Regular Mayo Shines

Because of its neutral flavor profile, regular mayo is a culinary chameleon. It's the perfect choice for:

Classic sandwiches and wraps, like a BLT or turkey club.
Creamy dressings where other flavors are meant to shine, such as ranch or blue cheese.
Salads that require a neutral, creamy base, like potato salad, egg salad, or coleslaw.
Traditional baking recipes that call for mayonnaise as an ingredient to add moisture and richness.

Where Olive Oil Mayo Shines

Olive oil mayo's distinct flavor is a star in its own right and works best where its subtle character can be appreciated:

As a base for Mediterranean-inspired sauces and aiolis.
In dressings for green salads or grain bowls where a slightly fruity, richer flavor is desired.
On sandwiches or dips where you want a hint of olive oil's taste to come through, such as a tuna melt or a vegetable dip.
In homemade dressings and dips where you can control the intensity of the olive oil flavor.

Comparison Table


Feature	Regular Mayonnaise	Olive Oil Mayonnaise (Commercial)
Primary Oil	Neutral-flavored oils (soybean, canola)	Blend of oils (olive, soybean, canola)
Fat Profile	Higher in polyunsaturated fats	Higher in monounsaturated fats
Flavor	Smooth, creamy, and neutral	Slightly fruitier, richer taste
Texture	Generally thick and consistent	Can be slightly lighter or smoother
Antioxidants	Contains some from base oils	Contains antioxidants from olive oil
Best Uses	Sandwiches, traditional salads, basic dressings	Mediterranean dishes, flavorful dips, specific dressings
Keto-Friendliness	Not typically, due to vegetable oils	Can be, depending on oil blend (homemade is ideal)

Making a Choice: What's Right for You?

When deciding which mayonnaise to use, consider your specific needs and preferences. If you need a versatile, all-purpose condiment with a mild flavor for classic American dishes, regular mayo is the perfect choice. If you prefer a richer, more complex flavor profile and want to incorporate more monounsaturated fats into your diet, olive oil mayo is a great option. However, for the purest flavor and maximum health benefits, making your own mayonnaise from scratch using quality extra virgin olive oil is the best route.

Ultimately, the choice comes down to a matter of taste, application, and nutritional priority. Reading the ingredient list on store-bought products is always recommended, as the true composition of olive oil mayo can be misleading. For those watching their calorie intake, reduced-fat versions of either are available, but their texture and flavor may differ.

Conclusion

While both olive oil mayo and regular mayo are creamy, delicious condiments, the differences in their primary oil base create a cascade of distinctions in flavor, texture, and nutritional value. Regular mayo's neutral taste makes it a kitchen staple for a wide range of uses, while olive oil mayo offers a more complex flavor profile and the benefits of monounsaturated fats. For most consumers, the best choice depends on their intended culinary purpose and personal taste preferences. When it comes to store-bought varieties, a quick check of the ingredient list will clarify how much olive oil is truly present.

For more information on the health benefits of olive oil, you can visit this comprehensive resource: Healthline: 11 Proven Benefits of Olive Oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Olive oil mayonnaise can be healthier, as olive oil is rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. However, the health benefits depend on the quality of olive oil used and whether the product is a blend with other oils, which is common in store-bought varieties.

Yes, olive oil mayo has a slightly different flavor profile. Regular mayo is neutral and creamy, while olive oil mayo can have a richer, sometimes fruitier, and more complex flavor, depending on the type and amount of olive oil used.

The bitterness in homemade olive oil mayonnaise is often caused by using extra virgin olive oil, which contains polyphenols that can become bitter when emulsified vigorously. Using a lighter, milder-flavored olive oil is recommended to prevent this.

For most applications, yes. However, the stronger flavor of olive oil mayo might not be ideal for dishes where a neutral taste is preferred, such as in classic potato salad or ranch dressing. It works best in recipes where a slightly richer, Mediterranean flavor complements the dish.

No, most store-bought olive oil mayonnaises are not made with 100% olive oil. They are typically blends of olive oil with less expensive, neutral-tasting vegetable oils like soybean or canola oil, which are listed on the ingredients list.

The calorie count is generally similar for full-fat versions of both. Regular mayo typically has 90-100 calories per tablespoon, and while some olive oil mayos are lower-calorie reduced-fat blends, the standard versions are comparable. Always check the specific nutrition label.

Yes, homemade olive oil mayo can be keto-friendly since it contains zero carbs and uses healthy fats. Many store-bought varieties can also be keto-friendly, but you should check the label for added sugars and non-keto oils like soybean oil.