Once you make this homemade mayonnaise, you will never go back to store-bought! This Keto Mayonnaise recipe is so tasty and perfect for all your mayo needs: as a classic spread, dip (solo or part of a dip), added to creamy salads, or even desserts (more on that below). Made with 4 ingredients, it’s keto, paleo, and whole30 friendly.
This post was originally published on September 23rd, 2021.
With this low carb mayonnaise, I’ve gone from store-bought mayo: “well, it’s okay, I like it on burgers or mixed with ketchup” to licking it straight off the spoon and maybe even having another spoonful. It is SO good!
I’ve been making this easy keto mayonnaise recipe for about 3 years from memory. I followed a traditional recipe a few times, and eventually skipped some of the ingredients or substituted them, and I’ve got to say, this is the best mayonnaise I’ve ever had. I take it everywhere with me as well: cookouts and pizza parties that I go to are always privy to this amazing condiment.
Sugar-Free mayonnaise is a must-have kitchen staple (there’s a jar in your fridge, right? Or a squeezy bottle? Thought so!) that goes with everything, and it is thankfully naturally perfect for the keto diet. However, the regular mayo made by Hellman’s actually has sugar in it. I know what you’re thinking. Why? Me too, and I don’t have that answer.
❤️ Why you will love this recipe
- No added sugar: This homemade keto mayonnaise is completely sugar-free, as creamy mayo should be!
- Simple ingredients: This mayonnaise without sugar only needs 5 common ingredients: Eggs, oil, salt, lemon, and garlic, which is technically optional but…don’t skip it!
- SUPER quick! It is ready to eat in about 2 minutes. Much quicker than reading the ingredients on a jar or 3 in a supermarket.
- Minimal clean-up: What’s more, the only equipment I use when making my own mayonnaise is a jar and a hand blender. I don’t actually measure out the oil anymore. Less clean-up is always a win for me!
🗝️ Key Ingredients
Eggs: I recommend using free-range, large fresh eggs, or organic eggs preferably sourced locally (even better if you’ve met the chickens!). I’ve used double egg yolks before as well and they work just fine. Eggs are loaded with good fats and are great for any diet.
Oil: There are a few options here. I prefer to use light olive oil as it is a neutral oil and blends well. Occasionally, I’ll add half light and half extra virgin olive oil for a bit more of an intense flavor, and I’ve also made it with avocado oil. I don’t recommend coconut oil and would avoid canola oil and soybean oil to keep it cleaner.
Salt: Of course! It’s best to add it at the beginning, but I’ve forgotten before and blended it in at the end.
Lemon juice: Tangy goodness, with a hint of citrus: sublime. In a pinch, you can substitute lime juice, white vinegar, or even apple cider vinegar, but lemon really is my favorite.
Garlic: Although garlic is technically an optional ingredient, I HIGHLY recommend it. One small clove is plenty. You can substitute about 1/2 a teaspoon of garlic powder if needed.
🥣 How to make Keto-Friendly Mayonnaise (healthy recipe!)
1. Add everything to a jar except oil: Add eggs, salt, lemon, and garlic to a wide mouth mason jar, wide enough to fit the blade of your stick blender. Pro tip: You can also make this in a food processor or a regular blender, as long as you can pour the oil in while it’s blending. Using a jar and immersion blender is less clean-up!
2. Add a little oil: Add a dash (about 1 or 2 tbsps) of oil to the jar.
3. Begin to blend.
4. Slowly add more oil: Very, very slowly add in the rest of the oil while you’re blending until it begins to thicken.
5. Add oil quicker: When it gets thick (emulsifies), pour the rest of the oil in more quickly and blend well.
🪄 Tips for making homemade mayonnaise perfect every time
- Use room-temperature eggs. This is SO important! Refrigerated eggs sometimes don’t emulsify (thicken up) properly, and you’re left with liquidy raw eggs.
- Pour the oil slowly. A tiny trickle is all you need at first, and then when it thickens you can pour a little quicker to finish it off.
🤔 Troubleshooting homemade mayonnaise
My mayonnaise won’t thicken up. Help!
Ahh, we’ve all been there! Either your eggs are too cold or the oil was poured too quickly, or it just decided not to thicken today. That’s okay! When this happens to me (it’s happened 3 times, always a shock), here’s how I fix it:
- I pour the liquidy oil-egg mixture into another container that I can pour easily from like a measuring jug.
- Then add another egg into the now empty jar along with a splash of the oil-egg mixture.
- Begin to blend them together with a hand blender.
- Very slowly add the rest of the oil-egg mixture.
I’m out of lemons. Can I use something else?
Absolutely, you can substitute 1:1 lemon for lime juice, white vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.
I don’t have any olive oil. Can I use another oil?
Sure! Avocado oil is a great substitute as has many health benefits compared to other vegetable oils. Other oils will work too, just double-check that they’re good for you!
🤷♀️ Is mayonnaise keto friendly?
Yes! Mayonnaise is keto-friendly, whether it’s store-bought or homemade. However, there is sugar and corn or potato starch in many store-bought versions (and if it’s in a squeezy bottle it somehow has a higher carb count than from a jar) so making it at home is the best way to ensure it has the lowest net carbs possible, is sugar and starch-free, and also avoids any other unnecessary ingredients.
❓ Is mayonnaise paleo approved?
Absolutely! This sugar-free mayonnaise recipe is made with just eggs, olive oil, salt, lemon, and garlic. That’s it! Store-bought mayonnaise on the other hand usually contains extra ingredients like sugar, so check the label to see if it’s paleo compliant.
🐄 Is mayonnaise dairy-free?
This mayonnaise contains no milk products and is, therefore, dairy-free.
🍞 Is mayonnaise gluten-free?
Yes! There is no form of gluten in mayonnaise.
🫙 How long can I keep homemade mayonnaise?
Homemade mayonnaise keeps well for a week in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight jar or airtight container.
❓ What can I use this sugar-free mayonnaise in?
So many things!
- As a spread on sandwiches, wraps, and burgers
- As a dip (mixed with pesto is great!)
- Spicy Mayo
- Homemade Ranch
- In salad dressings
- Keto Coleslaw
- Pickled Beet Salad
- Chicken Salad
- Tuna Salad
- Pasta Salad
- Grape Salad
- Potato Salad
- Keto Chocolate Cake (you’ve got to try it!)
😋 More Keto Recipes you will love
- Quick Keto BBQ Sauce
- How to make Whisky Sauce Without Cream
- The Best Easy Avgolemono Sauce
- Veggie Bruschetta with Avocado (no bread recipe!)
- Easy Ham and Cheese Frittata
Have you made this recipe? I’d love to know <3 Tag me (@makehealthyrecipes) on Facebook and Instagram, Pin it on Pinterest, and please give it 5 stars with a review below! Don’t forget to subscribe to the email list (top right of this page) for sparkly new recipes in your inbox.
📖 Recipe
Keto Mayonnaise Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 ml light olive oil (see note 1 for alternatives)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 lemon juiced (about 1 tbsp, see note 2 for alternatives)
- 1 small clove garlic optional
Instructions
- Add eggs, salt, lemon, and garlic to a jar that is wide enough to fit the blade of your hand blender (see note 4 for using a food processor or regular blender).
- Add a dash (about 1 or 2 tbsps) of oil to the jar.
- Begin to blend.
- Very, very slowly add in the rest of the oil while you're blending until it begins to thicken.
- When it gets thick (emulsifies), pour the rest of the oil in more quickly and blend well.
Video
Notes
- Oil: feel free to substitute avocado oil, extra virgin olive oil, or do a combination of 2 oils (half and half). Other oils will work too, just double-check that they're good for you!
- Lemon juice: You can substitute 1:1 lemon for lime juice, white vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.
- Like it spicy? Add 1-2 tbsp of your favorite hot sauce at the end, and blend well. Add more to taste!
- You can also make this in a food processor or regular blender as long as you're able to pour the oil in while you're blending.
- Store in an airtight container or jar for up to 2 weeks.
Troubleshooting homemade mayonnaise
My mayonnaise won't thicken up. Help! Ahh, we've all been there! Either your eggs are too cold or the oil was poured too quickly, or it just decided not to thicken today. That's okay! When this happens to me (it's happened 3 times, always a shock), here's how I fix it:- I pour the liquidy oil-egg mixture into another container that I can pour easily from like a measuring jug.
- Then add another egg into the now empty jar along with a splash of the oil-egg mixture.
- Begin to blend them together with a hand blender.
- Very slowly add the rest of the oil-egg mixture.