Taste of Home
For most of us, our lunchtime sandwich—be it a BLT, ham and cheese or egg salad—isn’t a sandwich without a big dollop of mayo. We rely upon this condiment to add a bit of tang and creaminess to make any savory recipe a smidge better.
But when you’re out shopping, odds are you reach for the same brand over and over again. But is your go-to really the best mayonnaise out there? You know our Test Kitchen pros had to find out!
What We Looked For
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Checking out mayo, we kept a few criteria in mind. We were looking for a smooth, creamy mayo that would work well in a variety of recipes.
- Flavor: How did the mayo taste? Did it have a neutral flavor? Any stand-out tastes like vinegar or spice?
- Texture: How did the mayo spread? Was it smooth and creamy the way we all want?
- Appearance: Simply, how did it look? Did the mayo look like something you’d want to spread on your sandwich or spoon into your next batch of chicken salad?
Want to learn more about how our Test Kitchen chooses their favorite products? Check out our testing methods.
Our Test Kitchen Preferred Mayo Brands
Taste of Home
Seven brands were in the running for the best mayonnaise. Find out which are worth spreading on your sandwich or stirring into a recipe.
Best Sandwich Spread: Heinz
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Sometimes you’re just looking for a good mayo to spread on a sandwich or hoagie. In that case, Heinz Real Mayonnaise is the brand to buy. This mayo from Heinz, a brand we normally associate with ketchup, had a nice mellow flavor and a creamy, almost fluffy texture.
This mayonnaise had a bit of a vinegar bite (but not too much) with a slightly peppery flavor. These little extras are what made our Test Kitchen team vote Heinz as the best condiment-style mayo. You won’t regret layering this on your next BLT.
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Best for Homemade Dips: Kraft
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Looking for an exceptionally light but creamy spread to keep in your fridge? Grab Kraft Real Mayo. This mayonnaise wowed our Test Kitchen tasters with a light, buttery texture and creamy color.
Since this brand was so neutral in flavor—not overly eggy or vinegary—the Test Kitchen pros agree it would be a great option for making homemade dips like a baked onion dip or fresh veggie dip. Of course, a smooth, simple mayo like this would also be at home in other recipes, so give it a spread and see how you like it.
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Best for Salads: Duke’s
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Whipping up egg salad for a barbecue? Snag a jar of Duke’s Mayonnaise. Duke’s has a thick, creamy texture which is perfect for bringing the ingredients of a salad together. Plus, its tangy flavor is sure to add a bit of personality to your recipe, whether it’s a curry egg salad, dill-filled potato salad or a crunchy chicken salad.
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Best All-Purpose Mayo: Hellmann’s
Taste of Home
If you use mayo for more than just sandwiches, dips and salads, you need a good all-purpose ingredient like Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise. Hellman’s combines all of what we want from mayonnaise in a single jar: it’s thick but spreadable; tangy but not too overpowering. Try making this Hellman’s macaroni salad.
Overall, our Test Kitchen tasters found Hellmann’s to be a great go-to for many applications. So crack open a jar to make coleslaw for a cookout and keep it open while you make yourself a snack before the party starts. It might sound odd, but a Southern-style peanut butter and mayo sandwich or a pineapple and mayo sandwich are pretty delicious!
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What to Make with Mayo
Mayonnaise is a major player in so many recipes—we don’t need to tell you that! You need a great creamy mayonnaise to make classic dishes like deviled eggs and macaroni salads. But you can even find mayonnaise playing a part in less traditional recipes like simple rolls or even chocolate cake where it adds moisture and tenderness.
Mexican Street Corn Bake
We discovered Mexican street corn at a festival. This easy one-pan version saves on prep and cleanup. Every August I freeze a lot of our own fresh sweet corn and then I use that in this recipe, but store-bought corn works just as well. —Erin Wright, Wallace, Kansas
Go to Recipe
Fast Macaroni SaladChopped veggies provide crunch, and cherry tomatoes add vibrant color to this refreshing and creamy pasta salad. —Frankiee Bush, Freedom, Indiana
Slim Italian Deviled EggsWhen you're in the mood for a
cold finger food, try these deviled eggs. They are a cinch to fill and are an easy contribution to a potluck or brunch. —
Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
Baked Onion DipSome people like this cheesy dip so much that they can't tear themselves away from the appetizer table to eat their dinner. But can you blame them? With two kinds of cheese and sweet onions in the mix, this ultra creamy dip is unforgettable. —Mona Zignego, Hartford, Wisconsin
Warm Chicken Tortellini Au GratinI have a number of easy, planned leftover recipes in my arsenal, which are especially useful when I'm busy. This is one of my favorites: pasta from Monday plus roasted chicken from Tuesday equals this delicious dish on Wednesday. When paired with a green salad and toasty bread, you have a meal that's fancy enough for company. —Brenda Cole, Reisterstown, Maryland
Cucumbers with DressingIt wouldn't be summer if Mom didn't make lots of these creamy cucumbers. Just a few simple ingredients—mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar and salt—are all you need to dress them up. —Michelle Beran, Claflin, Kansas
Baked Asparagus DipSince I'm from Wisconsin, I thought it was only logical to put together a vegetable and a cheese—two of the foods my state produces in abundance. This cheesy asparagus dip fits the bill. —Sandra Baratka, Phillips, Wisconsin
Easy Tangy ColeslawYou won't have to fuss with a lot of seasonings to fix this tangy coleslaw. We've shared this old family favorite with many friends over the years. —Denise Augostine, Saxonburg, Pennsylvania
Basil Tomato TartI received this tomato tart recipe from a good friend of mine. It's a fun way to use up fresh tomatoes from the garden, and it reminds me a lot of pizza. —Connie Stumpf, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
No-Fuss RollsWith only 4 ingredients, these delicious rolls are ready in no time. They're fantastic with herb butter or jam. —Glenda Trail, Manchester, Tennessee
Crisp Onion RelishI take this relish to picnics for people to use as a condiment on hamburgers and hot dogs. It adds a special zip!
—Marie Patkau, Hanley Saskatchewan
Ruby Raspberry SlawGive ordinary coleslaw a "berry" tangy twist. It's sure to get raves at your next picnic or potluck. —Deborah Biggs, Omaha, Nebraska
Jalapeno Popper SpreadI've been told by fellow partygoers that this recipe tastes exactly like a jalapeno popper. I like that it can be made without much fuss. —Ariane McAlpine, Penticton, British Columbia
Creamy Turkey CasseroleI sometimes make turkey just so I have the extras for this casserole! —Mary Jo O'Brien, Hastings, Minnesota
Cucumber-Stuffed Cherry TomatoesBesides being tasty, these little tomato poppers are extra awesome because you can make them ahead of time. At parties, I often triple the recipe because they disappear fast. —Christi Martin, Elko, Nevada
Chipotle Sweet Potato SaladI love the velvety taste and texture of sweet potatoes. A friend served sweet potatoes cooked with peppers, and they tasted so delicious together. I took those flavors and developed them into this creamy, smoky potato salad. —Carolyn Eskew, Dayton, Ohio
Dijon-Bacon Dip for PretzelsWith just four ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry or fridge, this quick appetizer comes together in a snap. If you like the zip of horseradish, start with a teaspoon or two and add more to taste. —Isabelle Rooney, Summerville, South Carolina
Creamy Carrot CasseroleMy mom and I developed this recipe to see if there was a carrot dish that even people who don't care for carrots would enjoy. So far, I haven't met anyone who hasn't liked this casserole. —Laurie Heward, Fillmore, Utah
Hot Cheese DipWhen a colleague brought this cheesy dip to school for a teachers potluck, I immediately gave it an A+. I had to have the recipe for this irresistibly creamy recipe to make for my family! —Ardyce Piehl, Poynette, Wisconsin
Mushroom and Olive BruschettaI tried this delicious bruschetta toast at a party and knew I had to make it myself. Since I couldn't find the person who brought the dish, I began trying to duplicate it on my own. The original was made on an English muffin, but party rye or baguette slices work as well. —Lynne German, Woodland Hills, California
Southern Potato SaladThis easy southern potato salad recipe is an old-fashioned favorite that fits in perfectly at potlucks, luncheons, backyard cookouts and more.
Shrimp in Phyllo CupsI almost didn’t make these appetizers for last year’s Christmas party because I was running out of time, but I knew they’d be a tasty hit. Simple to make, the cups have few ingredients and look beautiful on the plate—very gourmet! This turned out to be one of the night’s favorites, and they just flew off the plate. —Terri Edmunds, Naperville, Illinois
BLT PizzaThis recipe takes everything you love about BLT sandwiches and turns it into pizza. We promise, BLT pizza will become a favorite pick for lunch, dinner or an anytime snack.
Crab-Topped Fish FilletsThese fillets are elegant enough for company but truly no trouble to make. Fish is abundant here in South Florida, and we like to get together with friends in the afternoon, so I often need to whip up a quick dinner when we get home. This special dish is one of my husband's favorites. —Mary Tuthill, Fort Myers Beach, Florida
Garlic Pizza WedgesOur pastor made this for a get-together, and my husband and i just couldn't stay away from the hors d'oeuvres table. The cheesy slices taste great served warm, but they're still wonderful when they've cooled slightly. —Krysten Johnson, Simi Valley, California
Carrot Raisin SaladThis traditional salad is one of my mother-in-law’s favorites. It’s fun to eat because of the crunchy texture, and the raisins give it a slightly sweet flavor. Plus, I love how easy it is to make. —Denise Baumert, Dalhart, Texas
Au Gratin Peas and PotatoesWhile this delicious potato skillet is a wonderful side dish, we find it satisfying enough to be a main course, too. The skillet preparation takes less time than it does to bake an au gratin casserole or scalloped potatoes—but it's still good old-fashioned comfort food at its best! —Marie Peterson, DeForest, Wisconsin
Garlic-Parmesan Cheese BallThis is one of our entertaining mainstays. It complements most meals and is so easy to prepare and dress up with a variety of garnishes. —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York
Curried Chicken Salad with Pineapple and GrapesThis fun and flavorful beauty turns last night’s cooked chicken into a delightful salad that’s perfect for lunch. —Linda Bevill, Monticello, Arkansas
Dijon-Crusted FishDijon, Parmesan and a hint of horseradish give this toasty fish lots of flavor. The preparation is so easy, it takes just 5 to 7 minutes to get four servings ready for the oven. —Scott Schmidtke, Chicago, Illinois
Garlic Mashed CauliflowerI order cauliflower mash every time we visit our favorite restaurant. Lucky us; one night, I figured out how to make it at home. It was so easy! —Jean Keiser, West Chester, Pennsylvania
Crescent Turkey CasseroleHow do you make a dinner of turkey and vegetables appealing to kids? You turn it into a pie, of course! My version tastes classic but doesn’t take any time at all. —Daniela Essman, Perham, Minnesota
BLT MuffinsThese muffins prove that the classic combo of bacon, lettuce and tomato is good for so much more than a sandwich. They're winners at both breakfast and dinner. —Katie Koziolek, Hartland, Minnesota
Fiesta Corn Chip SaladFrito corn salad is bursting with flavor and texture.
Jalapeno Popper DipBaked jalapeno popper dip is chock-full of cream cheese, mild jalapenos and melty cheddar, and has a buttery, crunchy bread crumb topping that takes it to the next level. It's the perfect Super Bowl appetizer, especially since you can make it ahead to save yourself a little time right before the game.
Dilly Potato & Egg SaladEveryone has a favorite potato salad, and this is mine. As a young bride, I was eager to learn how to cook and make things that my husband would love. I combined my mom's and his mom's recipes, and this potato and egg salad is the delicious result. —Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsville, Virginia
Note: This blind taste test was performed by our staffers and was not part of a sponsorship. All opinions shared are our own, and have not been influenced by advertisers.
