Substitutes for mayonnaise

Mayonnaise substitutes

Mayonnaise is fat, creaminess and tang. Most dairy swaps replace the creaminess; add salt or acid for the tang.

What mayonnaise does

Binds salads, adds fat and richness, and gives a creamy tang to dressings, dips and sandwich spreads.

Quick reference

SubstituteAmount
Sour cream 1 cup sour creamper 1 cup mayonnaise
Plain yogurt (Greek or regular) Sources vary1 cup plain yogurtper 1 cup mayonnaise
Cottage cheese, puréed 1 cup cottage cheeseper 1 cup mayonnaise
Salad dressing (such as Miracle Whip) 1 cup salad dressingper 1 cup mayonnaise

When the substitute matters

  • Cold salads and dressings: sour cream or yogurt cup for cup.
  • Smooth dips: puréed cottage cheese.
  • Sandwiches that stay cold: salad dressing in equal parts.
  • Heated or baked dishes: stay with mayonnaise.

The substitutes, in detail

Sour cream

Amount: 1 cup sour cream per 1 cup mayonnaise

Equal amount by volume. Sources frame it for salads and salad dressings.

  1. Taste and add salt, lemon juice or vinegar if the dish needs more bite.

Best for

  • Dips
  • Creamy salad dressings
  • Potato, pasta and chicken salad

Not for

  • Hot sauces or recipes that rely on mayonnaise fat to stay stable under heat

What changes

Tangier and a little looser than mayonnaise, with less richness.

Sources: North Dakota State University Extension·University of Illinois Extension·Saskatchewan Health Authority

Plain yogurt (Greek or regular)

Amount: 1 cup plain yogurt per 1 cup mayonnaise

Sources vary

NDSU and Illinois give 1 cup yogurt; Illinois names regular or Greek. Food Network adds a pinch of salt.

  1. Season to taste; Food Network adds a pinch of salt.

Best for

  • Chilled salads
  • Dips and dressings
  • Sandwich spreads

Not for

  • Hot sauces or recipes that rely on mayonnaise fat to stay stable under heat

What changes

Creamy but not as rich as mayonnaise, with a milder tang than sour cream.

Sources: North Dakota State University Extension·University of Illinois Extension·Food Network

Cottage cheese, puréed

Amount: 1 cup cottage cheese per 1 cup mayonnaise

Blend until completely smooth before measuring and using.

  1. Purée in a blender until smooth.

Best for

  • Salad dressings
  • Dips

Not for

  • Spreads where a visible curd texture would show

What changes

Thick and mild, and less rich than mayonnaise. Needs extra seasoning.

Sources: North Dakota State University Extension·University of Illinois Extension

Salad dressing (such as Miracle Whip)

Amount: 1 cup salad dressing per 1 cup mayonnaise

Equal parts. Taste of Home limits this to uncooked recipes.

Best for

  • Cold sandwiches
  • Uncooked salads and dips

Not for

  • Baking
  • Grilled sandwiches
  • Anything heated

What changes

Sweeter and tangier than mayonnaise. Can separate and turn greasy when heated.

Sources: North Dakota State University Extension·Taste of Home

Don't use

  • Salad dressing in baking or on a grilled sandwich

    Taste of Home: anything other than full-fat mayonnaise can separate and become greasy when heated.

How we source this

Each swap is backed by at least two independent sources, including a test kitchen, university extension service or product maker. The amounts replace one unit of the original ingredient and do not work in reverse. See the full source list.

Sources

Related substitute pages