Product Review: Vegan Mayonnaise

7. Primal Kitchen

Primal Kitchen’s Whip Dressing and Spread is not only the darkest vegan mayonnaise among those I tried, but also the thickest. Its texture resembles a cornstarch-thickened pudding – or even Jell-O!

Furthermore, after conquering those off-putting qualities to taste it, I had to conquer an aftertaste of cheap oil too.

I only tested it as a baking ingredient because I couldn’t stand the other options of trashing it, or worse, using it on sandwiches.

6. Sir Kensington’s

Like Primal Kitchen, Sir Kensington’s Classic Vegan Mayo lies beyond my threshold of acceptable thicknesses for mayonnaise.

That said, this product’s appearance is second closest to my gold standard. The visible flecks of black pepper are the only reason why one other “mayonnaise” I tested overrules it in looks!

but not in taste. I appreciate the attempt to balance salt with pepper, yet in my opinion, it doesn’t work; this “mayonnaise” is so unpleasantly acidic I nearly ranked it last.

5. Good & Gather

Target brand Good & Gather Vegan Dressing is one of three products I tested with a texture between silken tofu and Greek yogurt. Adding it to salads meant contending with squishy plops as it fell from my spoon to my bowl.

Thankfully, this brand of high-viscosity vegan condiment is not as thick as those from Primal Kitchen or Sir Kensington’s. It felt as easy to stir and spread as Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise!

Yet like Sir Kensington’s, it’s unfortunately acidic. If you find yourself at Target, I recommend 2. (which they also carry).

4. Follow Your Heart (Avocado Oil Vegenaise)

The second of three silken tofu/Greek yogurt-like “mayonnaises”, Follow Your Heart Avocado Oil Vegenaise even releases a small amount of liquid that needs to be stirred-in after opening.

Barring that quality, this product is average: fourth in taste; third in appearance. It’s an acceptable soy-free option with a milder taste than Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise, but a classic mayonnaise tang nevertheless.

3. Follow Your Heart (Original Vegenaise)

Now, this is classic mayonnaise tang!

Follow Your Heart Original Vegenaise is actually second closest in flavor to my gold standard. I was pleasantly surprised as it is the third (and last) product with that concerning silken tofu/Greek yogurt consistency.

I would use this “mayonnaise” if 1. and 2. aren’t available.

2. Hellmann’s

“Bring out the Hellmann’s, and bring out the…” second best?

I always have high hopes for the plant-based iteration of my gold standard. They have a name to uphold! Consequently, I predicted Hellmann’s Vegan Dressing & Spread (now Plant-Based Mayo Dressing & Spread) would be my winner.

And it’s close! Its texture is superior, but perhaps because it excludes eggs, it’s pure white (unlike real mayonnaise which is off-white). Furthermore, its tang is more subdued compared to the conventional version.

Important to note, however, is the availability and price of this product: it’s the most ubiquitous and economical of everything here by far! I plan to buy it unless I’m desperate to impress (or bake – more on that later).

1. Chosen Foods

Ugh, I am mad at how close this “mayonnaise” is to the real thing! It is woefully expensive and difficult to find.

But, damn, Chosen Foods Vegan Mayo is good. Only when placed alongside my gold standard could I see that it’s slightly darker. Its texture is perfectly creamy too.

and that tang! Everything about Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise is here (minus the eggs of course).

7. Primal Kitchen

I wasn’t surprised that the second thickest “mayonnaise” produced the second thickest cake batter; I was confused, however, by this batter’s aroma of floral notes.

Likewise, I was amazed at how effortlessly this cake removed from my pan – so much so, I had to try it first!

Yet like the product itself, this chocolate Primal Kitchen Whip Dressing & Spread cake is perplexing. It apparently removed easily due to a nearly crunchy crust it formed.

And those floral notes in its batter survived 45 minutes in a moderate oven. I’m generally not so bougie, but I might frost and garnish this dessert with edible flowers…if I liked it.

6. Follow Your Heart (Avocado Oil Vegenaise)

The flavor of a chocolate Follow Your Heart Avocado Oil Vegenaise cake is unremarkable.

In fact, it’s almost nonexistent. Maybe the bright “mayonnaise” canceled the earthy cocoa during baking? Whatever chemical reaction happened, I sense neither chocolate nor “mayonnaise”. And, like the chocolate Primal Kitchen cake, this one developed a crust.

For these reasons (a mild flavor profile and slightly crunchy exterior), I can foresee the same batter succeeding as a muffin and served for breakfast. As a cake for dessert, however, it falls short.

5. Hellmann’s

Well, this is disappointing. I was certain the company boasting the OG Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake recipe would have a plant-based substitute that works just as well.

Though richly colored, the chocolate Hellmann’s Plant-Based Mayo Dressing & Spread cake batter sunk and cooked unevenly. It isn’t actually underdone, but random spots throughout its center certainly look that way!

I ranked this cake higher than the one with Avocado Oil Vegenaise only because it has a stronger chocolate flavor.

4. Follow Your Heart (Original Vegenaise)

Again, this company delivers an average product.

Chocolate Follow Your Heart Original Vegenaise Cake is more chocolatey than the one with Avocado Oil Vegenaise, but not as chocolatey as the one with Hellmann’s; it’s more evenly cooked than Hellmann’s, but developed a crust similar to my bottommost rankers (6. and 7.).

I’d use this product if I have to, but for a cake, I’m more likely to make a Target run for…

3. Good & Gather

A chocolate Good & Gather Vegan Dressing cake is a decent cake. Its brownie-like batter bakes evenly and removes cleanly from a pan. Furthermore, it transfers well from a wire rack to a cake plate. And, most importantly, it tastes like a good chocolate cake!

The only caveat is that it’s dense (similar to the muffin-like cake made with Avocado Oil Vegenaise). Excepting that, I might’ve ranked second instead of third.

2. Sir Kensington’s

In my opinion, peppered chocolate is superior to salted chocolate. Trends suggest I’m wrong, but in either case, I was excited about the pepper in Sir Kensington’s Classic Vegan Mayo adding depth to my chocolate cake.

And it’s there…if I think about it. really hard.

What is there is the moist and fluffy texture I expect in a well-crafted chocolate cake. Only a thin layer of crust kept it from the number one spot!

1. Chosen Foods

OK, Chosen Foods Vegan Mayo, you win.

Rich brownie batter, moist and fluffy texture, deep chocolate flavor with a hint of tang – this Chocolate “Mayonnaise” Cake has it all!

I still wish this product were more available and less expensive, but I have however long it will take my family to eat seven cakes to save for the next one.