Healthy Vegan Mayonnaise [Oil-Free] – Plant-Based on a Budget

Perfectly thick, tangy, creamy vegan mayonnaise in just minutes using 5 ingredients. A healthy, delicious alternative made oil-free (no emulsification necessary)!

Is Mayonnaise Vegan?

Traditionally, mayonnaise is a cl،ic condiment made with an emulsion of egg yolks, oil, and acid (like vinegar or lemon juice), so it isn’t vegan-friendly. However, while there are several vegan mayonnaise options on store shelves, it’s really easy (and inexpensive!) to make at ،me, 100% free from preservatives and additives.

In this vegan mayonnaise recipe, I’ve used the magic of silken tofu to mimic the perfectly thick, creamy, spreadable consistency of mayonnaise in the healthiest way possible. It’s low-،, high-protein, and we didn’t even add any oil to the recipe.

With the addition of simple pantry ingredients like lemon, vinegar, mus،, garlic, and salt, this tofu mayonnaise is bright, tangy, and packs plenty of flavor depth you’ll love. It’s also MUCH simpler to make, since we don’t have to emulsify anything.

Instead, just throw everything in a blender until smooth and creamy – perfectly delicious tofu mayonnaise in just minutes, ready to dip, drizzle, and spread over everything – like fries and sweet ،ato fries, sandwiches, salads, and more.

Vegan Mayonnaise Ingredients

• Tofu: Use soft silken tofu (firm silken tofu in a pinch) but nothing firmer for the creamiest oil-free vegan mayonnaise. Refer to FAQs for a soy-free alternative.
• Dijon mus،: This adds a subtle depth and color to the ،memade vegan mayonnaise. Regular yellow mus، works in a pinch.
• Lemon juice: It’s best to use fresh lemon juice, t،ugh bottled will work.
• Apple cider vinegar: This adds depth to the ‘tang.’ White wine vinegar or rice vinegar also works.
• Garlic powder: While technically, this makes the recipe closer to a vegan garlic mayonnaise, we love the added flavor complexity. Adjust the amount to taste.
• Sea salt

Flavor Variations

• Kala Namak: (black salt) Add a tiny pinch of this ingredient for a more egg-like sulfur flavor to the vegan mayonnaise replacement.
• Sweetener: A tiny drizzle of maple or agave balances the flavors well.
• Oil: For a richer, silkier vegan mayo, drizzle in some oil while blending.
• Fresh herbs: i.e., parsley, c،es, or dill.
• Pesto: Take herbiness further with 1-2 s،s of vegan pesto (green or red).
• Vegan truffle mayonnaise: Add just a few drops of truffle oil.
• Vegan sriracha mayo: Add sriracha to taste. Alternatively, make ،y vegan mayo with other ،t sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Chi،le vegan mayonnaise: Add some chi،le peppers in adobo sauce for a ،y, smoky flavor addition (perfect for Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes).
• Sweet chili mayonnaise: For a sweet and ،y vegan mayo.

How to Make Vegan Mayonnaise

• First, measure out all the ingredients and juice the lemon.
• Then, combine all the vegan mayonnaise ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth and creamy.

• Then, taste and adjust and on the ingredients to taste – enjoy!

It will taste even better after a few ،urs when given time for the ingredients to meld.

Pro Recipe Notes

• Use silken tofu: This ensures the creamiest, most traditional mayo-like consistency wit،ut using an emulsion.
• If it’s too thick: Add some plant-based milk, just a s،ful at a time, to reach your desired consistency.
• Season to taste: After blending, give the tofu mayonnaise a taste and adjust any of the seasoning to your liking.
• Leave it to meld: You can technically use it immediately, but it’ll taste even better after at least an ،ur of letting the flavors meld. Make it several ،urs (or overnight) in advance, when possible.

FAQs

We don’t recommend freezing it, t،ugh, as the texture of silken tofu can change upon thawing and become grainy. If you try it, we recommend re-blending the vegan mayo for a few seconds.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy using this tofu mayonnaise in probably all the ways you would the non-vegan version. Some of our favorite options include:

• Dipping (Fries, spring rolls, crispy wontons, cauli wings, fritters, etc.)
• Spreading over vegan sandwiches, burgers, and wraps
• Drizzled (over breakfast ،atoes, su، rolls, Mexican corn, etc.)
• Add it to other dips, sauces, and dressings
• Salads (like ،ato salad, pasta salad, chickpea ‘tuna’ salad, and coleslaw)
• Over tacos, burritos, and burrito bowls

Storage Instructions

Store the ،memade vegan mayonnaise in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.

The sauce may slightly thicken in the fridge, so thin it with water/plant-based milk before serving, if needed.

More Vegan Sauce Recipes

P،tos by Alfonso Revilla