The Ingredient That Matters Most When Making Keto Mayonnaise

Whether you're on a ketogenic diet or looking to incorporate some keto-friendly foods into your regimen, mayonnaise makes the cut due to its high-fat and low-carb profile, per Chomps. The condiment has a mild taste and helps to bind veggies and proteins together, showcasing itself in an Italian sub sandwich or a tuna mix for crunchy lettuce wraps.

But what exactly is mayonnaise? Chomps explains that mayonnaise is typically made up of eggs, salt, mustard, acidity, and oil. And that last one, oil, is pretty important because it slowly mixes with the rest of the above ingredients to create that rich and creamy mayonnaise texture, per Serious Eats. Thus, emulsification is born, and according to Fustini's, it's a method for combining oil and water-based ingredients together. Hollandaise sauce and balsamic vinegar are two common examples of this process.

But one of the necessary ingredients for making keto mayonnaise is more important than the rest. Here's what that is and why it matters the most.

According to Chomps, mayonnaise is made of more oil than the other ingredients. To put it in perspective, a mayo recipe by Serious Eats calls for one cup of oil, one egg, one teaspoon of mustard, and one tablespoon of lemon juice. And because oil is essentially the major player here for both taste and nutrition, it's important to choose the right one.

Variations of oil include avocado, coconut, olive, soybean, canola, sunflower, and so many more. But one works better than the rest. Ruled explains that the mild flavor profile and high monounsaturated fat content make avocado oil a healthy option for homemade mayonnaise. The problem with coconut oil and olive oil lies in their overpowering flavor notes, though they are choices that contain a myriad of health properties. And with soybean or canola oil, you'll most likely find quite a few preservatives and GMOs that may reduce the nutritional profile of your classic mayonnaise recipe, according to Chomps.

So next time you're looking to make a jar of the very best mayonnaise, reach for avocado oil. It's mild, chock full of the good fats, and according to WebMD, improves heart, skin, and eye health. What's not to love?