I Tried 8 Store-Bought Mayos and the Winner Was Abundantly Clear

Best mayonnaises ranked

Mayonnaise lovers like myself are usually adamant about two things. One, there's a huge difference between mayo and salad dressing (aka Miracle Whip), and two, our favorite brand is in the fridge at all times and we truly believe it reigns supreme over all others. (We use Walmart's Great Value brand mayo in our house daily.)

With summer almost upon us, it's time for cookouts and backyard barbecues to fill our weekends. And that means potato salad, coleslaw, pasta salad, and lots of dips to share—all of which will keep our mayo jars busier than any other time of year.

To find out once and for all which jar reigns supreme I picked up eight popular mayos and put them to the test. At the end of the tasting, I wasn't sure I ever wanted to eat mayonnaise again, but I was sure of the winner. Keep reading for the top eight mayonnaise brands, ranked worst to best.

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What's the Difference Between Mayonnaise and Miracle Whip?

Before we jump into the tasting, it's important to establish what's mayo and what isn't. When I was growing up, we never had "real" mayo in the house—there was only a jar of Miracle Whip in our fridge. For years, I didn't know any better, and I assume there are others out there like me.

Many families use the two interchangeably, while others will tell you there is a distinct difference!

So if they are so close in appearance and flavor what's the difference? Mayo, which by law must contain 65% vegetable oil to be labeled mayonnaise, is made using oil, eggs and an acid (usually vinegar or lemon).  Miracle Whip includes oil, but less than mayo, and also has water, sugar and spices like garlic, mustard and paprika. Most people who can tell the difference between the two will say Miracle Whip has a little more sweetness and is tangier too. If you take a look at a jar of Miracle Whip you'll also notice is says "salad dressing" instead of mayonnaise because of the labeling rules.

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What's the Difference Between Mayonnaise and Aioli?

Yep, mayonnaise has to compete with another condiment that many think is the same. However, once again, there are distinct differences.

While mayo and aioli may look similar, aioli is made from garlic and olive oil only, with no eggs at all. These days, people often confuse the two because so many places (restaurants, online recipes) use the term aioli when it really isn't.

One of the most common uses for garlic aioli is as a dip for steamed artichokes, but it can also be swapped out on a sandwich or in a chicken salad for a flavor boost.

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How I Tested the Mayos

This blind taste test of each brand was conducted using a small taste of each plain from a spoon and on a simple ham sandwich. While I use mayonnaise a thousand different ways in recipes, it can most often be found on lunchbox sandwiches in our house, so it was the logical test subject. Plus, I didn't want other flavors influencing or fighting the mayo itself. White bread, a good schmear of mayo and a slice or two of deli ham was all I needed for this highly scientific study!

Top 8 Mayonnaise Brands Ranked Worst To Best

8. Simple Truth Organic Mayonnaise

Simple Truth might not be a familiar brand if you aren't a regular Kroger shopper. This is their in-house organic line of products that tend to be of higher quality than other store brands. It's a certified organic and non-GMO mayo that just didn't ring any bells or whistles to me. For supposedly being a better quality, it had a thinner consistency than I would expect in a great mayo. Plus cane sugar is listed on the ingredient list, which explains the sweet undertones I was getting that made this one taste a little more like salad dressing than I prefer.

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7. Kewpie Mayonnaise

Known for its rich texture and umami-packed flavor, this fan-favorite Japanese mayo been a go-to for chefs for years. So how did it end up near the bottom of my list? I think it was more in the application. This mayo has a prominent eggy flavor (it's made with egg yolks instead of whole eggs) and also contains rice vinegar, which gives it a different tanginess than other mayos that use white vinegar. To me, I found the flavor a little overpowering for a ham sandwich. That said, it would be amazing in a spicy mayo for rice or sushi bowls.

6. Trader Joe's Organic Mayonnaise

I was surprised when I discovered this one didn't hit more of the right notes to me. I love Trader Joe's and consider their products to be of higher quality, but this mayo had a flavor that wasn't necessarily bad but gave me a little bit of an aftertaste I didn't enjoy. I can't be 100% sure, but I think it was the mustard seed. Mustard isn't my favorite condiment, so that flavor note might have stood out to me more than it would for others. If you're looking for a creamy mayo and you enjoy mustard, this might be the one for you.

5. Kraft Real Mayo

I have never been a fan of Kraft's mayonnaise, so the fact that it ended up in the middle of the list was a little surprising. To me, this fan favorite (leave it to me to be different) always tastes extra sour, like it has too much lemon juice or vinegar in it. It makes me wonder if Miracle Whip fans would enjoy this one because most people who choose that like a little extra zip.

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4. Burman's Mayonnaise

Sometimes something familiar just tastes right, no matter how many "fancier" brands it's up against, so it's no shocker to me that this Aldi in-house brand beat out as many as it did. At any given time this is one of two brands on this list that can be found in my refrigerator. We love the thick, extra creamy texture of Burman's and it's my favorite brand for making deviled eggs. It has a flavor that reminds me of more expensive brands without overshadowing other flavors. I think this store brand tastes very similar to Hellman's but is much less expensive.

3. Great Value Mayonnaise

You didn't have to wait long to see our family's other "regular" brand. Walmart's store brand contains less sugar and lemon juice than other brands, so for my tastebuds, it's the perfect mix of tangy with just a hint of sweetness. It allows the flavor of the ham (or other deli meat) to come through. I also love that it doesn't cause bread to become soggy, even when I pack my lunch the night before! While Burman's is my go-to for deviled eggs, Great Value is the winner when it comes to potato salad.

2. Hellman's Mayonnaise

America's #1 mayonnaise fell just a little short of the top spot on my list. Smooth, creamy and delicious, this mayo is one you can use in any recipe you want and know it will deliver every time. Here's a fun fact: Hellman's is my favorite mayo to dip French fries in! With lots of black pepper......mmmm...so good! The thing that has always impressed me with Hellman's is the fact they use soybean oil, but you can't tell. I've found that some other soybean oil-based mayos have an almost gelatinous texture, and can even separate a little in the jar. But this one is always creamy and ready to go.

1. Duke's Mayonnaise

I can't tell a lie. The second I bit into the sandwich with Duke's not only did I know which brand it was, I knew it would be number one. If you don't know, Duke's is a beloved Southern brand, and it has loyal consumers who refuse to use any other brand. Here in Indiana, it hasn't always been easy to find, so when I did, it was a real treat, and the flavor became one I instantly recognized. Duke's has a higher ratio of eggs, making it more custard-like but still not in your face with the egg flavor. It has a distinct tangy aspect because it contains no sugar. This Hoosier girl must be Southern at heart because Duke's was definitely #1 in my book!

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