It’s hard to give up mayonnaise because it goes well as a dressing, a dip, and a condiment. The good news is you don’t have to give up mayonnaise on the paleo diet.
Yes, mayonnaise can be 100% paleo-friendly. Here’s the catch, though: you’ll have to make it yourself. Store-brand mayo contains a ton of unhealthy preservatives plus a few ingredients that aren’t paleo-friendly.
So, if you want to enjoy mayonnaise without giving up the paleo lifestyle, it will have to be homemade.
I’ll talk about why the mayonnaise found at your local grocery store is not paleo-friendly and show you how to make your healthy version at home. First, let’s look at the ingredients that go into making mayonnaise.
To learn more about the paleo diet check out my other article Complete Beginners Guide To The Paleo Diet – 7 Day Meal Plan.
What Is Mayonnaise?
The thick, creamy sauce you know and love is traditionally made with egg yolks, base oil, vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard/crushed garlic, and other seasonings. The base oil in question can be olive, canola, or soybean oil. That’s what the typical store-bought jar of mayonnaise contains.
As you might expect, this is not nearly close to being paleo-friendly. The only paleo-approved ingredients in grocery store mayonnaise are eggs and egg yolks.
The presence of inflammatory seed oils like canola and soybean oil is testament enough. High quantities of unstable PUFA’s make soybean oil, which also contains omega-6 and omega-3 acids in an unfavorable ratio, a very inflammatory oil.
The fact that most of the ingredients in store-bought mayonnaise are highly processed makes it even more harmful for your health. Remember, oxidized and partially hydrogenated foods are generally not good for you.
For mayonnaise to be paleo-friendly, you have to start with the egg yolks and work your way from there. First, there should be no artificial preservatives (which is why it should be homemade), no sugar, and most importantly, no soybean oil.
That brings me to the next section, in which we’ll be discussing how to make paleo-certified mayonnaise at home. It’s a pretty straightforward process that only requires a food processor or a blender.
Making Paleo-Friendly Mayonnaise From Scratch
First, you’ll need a suitable base oil. Soybean and canola oil is out of the question. Instead of these seed oils, you can use either avocado, coconut, or olive oil to make mayonnaise.
Whisk the oil into your egg yolks until you get a rich and creamy texture. You can add paleo-approved seasonings such as Dijon mustard or crushed garlic, fine sea salt, and lemon juice.
You can also use both avocado oil and olive oil to make your mayonnaise more nutritious. Once you’ve thoroughly mixed everything, transfer the mayonnaise into a jar and refrigerate to keep fresh.
Now, your mayo is ready to be used as a dressing or a dip for your baby carrots.
Tips For Making Homemade Mayonnaise
- Let your egg yolks and lemon juice rest at room temperature for about an hour.
- Whisk the eggs and the oil for at least two minutes to get the right consistency.
- Add the lemon juice last while slowly stirring the mixture.
- Store your mayo in a glass container and refrigerate it for at least one week.
Is Paleo Mayonnaise Healthy?
Absolutely.
If you decide to make mayonnaise at home, you’re not only be creating something that tastes GREAT, but you’re also be adding some healthy fats to your diet.
Olive oil and coconut oil lower bad cholesterol and regulate blood sugar. On the other hand, avocado oil is rich in oleic acid and Vitamin E. Eggs are a fantastic protein source that contains a handful of vital nutrients such as Vitamins B6 and B12, copper-zinc, and iron.
Here are a few companies that make paleo mayonnaise if you don’t feel like doing it yourself. These are the only jars of mayo that should be in your fridge if you’re living the paleo lifestyle.
