I Blind-Tasted 8 Store-Bought Mayos to Find Out Which One Is Really the Best

Hellmann's and Duke's go head to head yet again.

Mayonnaise might be a love-it or leave-it condiment for some but for me, it’s number one. For sandwiches, dressings, marinades, and salads, there almost isn’t a day when I’m not reaching for the mayo. It’s the key ingredient in Barbie’s Tuna Salad, Old-Fashioned Potato Salad, and Delicious Egg Salad, plus it’s magic for making Salmon Fillets with Creamy Dill and Parmesan Crusted Chicken stay moist while cooking. Want to up your burger game? Then swap out the basic condiments for this Secret Burger Sauce where the not-so-secret ingredients are mayo and pickles. Also, can you imagine a BLT without mayonnaise? It truly should be called a BLTM because mayo isn’t optional, it’s necessary! It used to be there were only a few options for store-bought mayonnaise but the selections have been gradually growing over the past few years and I found myself wondering, is there a top choice that tastes better than all the others?

The answer is no. Seriously, this is the first taste test I’ve done where I would happily use any of the 8 mayonnaises I tasted. However, I did find nuances between each one and instances where I would pick one over the other. Here’s what I found.

How I Tested

All of the store-bought mayonnaises were tasted blind and plain. While this might not be how we usually eat mayo, I found it important to taste them solo so I could distinguish the flavors between them. I judged based on texture and flavor, and made notes on the best uses for each.

The Best Store-Bought Mayonnaise Taste Test Results

Best for a Sandwich: Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise

Mildly tart, creamy, and light with only a hint of lemon, there is a reason that Hellmann’s Mayonnaise is America’s #1 go-to. It’s extremely versatile and isn’t too overpowering in flavor or texture, making it my top pick for pairing with any sandwich. Extra points also went to Hellmann's for the best top-down squeeze bottle as it’s by far the easiest to use and keep clean.

Best for a Salad: Duke’s Real Mayonnaise

Growing up in the South, Duke’s was the only mayo that we bought. Since moving to Vermont, I have to order Duke’s online but I think it’s worth it for the flavor. Duke’s mayo is light, creamy, and incredibly smooth making it my first choice for making potato, tuna, egg, and salmon salads where the mayo flavor is so prominent. If you live in a part of the country where you can buy this off the shelf, then it’s easily your best mayo pick. If you’re like me and have to order it, I keep it for the times when you want strong mayo flavor, such as in an aioli.

Best for Making a Gourmet Dinner: Kewpie Mayo

Kewpie mayo, also known as Japanese mayo, is made with egg yolks instead of whole eggs, making it richer than all other types of store-bought mayo. It’s more expensive and I have to go to the Asian market to get it, but it’s 100% worth it when using it to make a recipe feel a bit more upscale, like in my Roasted Salmon with Smoky Chickpeas and Greens. It’s also the mayo of choice when making Spicy Sushi Mayo to get as close to sushi takeout as possible.

Tastes Closest to Homemade: Sir Kensington’s

The first mayo to be made with Certified Humane Cage Free Egg Yolks, Sir Kensington’s use of better eggs and organic lemon juice makes the mayo taste closest to homemade. Tangy, creamy, and lemony, Sir Kensington’s mayo is what I reach for when I want an upscale mayo that doesn’t break the bank. Sir Kensington’s also has a line of very good flavored mayos, such as a Chipotle Mayo that will take your next sandwich to the next level.