Before we delve into the ingredients of mayonnaise and whether or not it’s vegan, let’s first define what veganism is. According to The Vegan Society, a vegan diet “denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.” This means consuming a plant-based diet that avoids animal products (i.e., meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and honey).
With that said, let’s look at the ingredients in a traditional mayonnaise recipe. A basic mayonnaise is typically made with the following ingredients, not including added flavors and spices: egg yolks, oil, and an acid like vinegar or lemon juice. As you can see, the first ingredient to make up mayonnaise is eggs, which by definition means that mayonnaise is sadly not vegan.
Luckily, plenty of brands exist that make egg-free, vegan mayonnaise. But what’s actually in vegan mayo? VegNews states that vegan mayonnaise typically substitutes the egg component with plant-based milk or plant-based fat. Other recipes use aquafaba (the liquid or brine found in canned chickpeas). After that, typical mayo ingredients are added, such as vinegar, salt, and spices.