What’s the Difference Between Mayo and Whipped Dressing?

Who doesn’t love mayonnaise? It’s a staple of American cuisine, appearing in everything from tuna and egg salad sandwiches to potato salad, casseroles, dips, and the classic BLT. Mayonnaise can be used to add moistness to cakes, steaks, and roasted chicken, and is surprisingly delicious on grilled cheese. But it has a sassy, sweet-spiced relative that’s been around for nearly a century: whipped dressing & spread (aka whipped mayo). And its fans are very vocal about their love for mayonnaise’s creamy cousin. Sections of the country are divided in the mayonnaise vs. whip debate, with the South and parts of the Midwest cheering on whipped spread, and the West and Northeast rooting for traditional mayonnaise. 

Whipped dressing and spread isn’t the only new(ish) kid on the block, either. Walk into any grocery and you’ll see shelves lined with non-traditional mayonnaise options including light, olive oil, and avocado oil versions. Add whipped dressings to that lineup and you have condiment confusion over which product to use for what. To help you sort out the differences between mayonnaise and whipped mayo, let’s start with our Primal Kitchen Mayo.   

What is Avocado Oil Mayo?

Traditional real mayonnaise is made from eggs, vegetable oil, vinegar, and lemon juice. To be labeled as mayonnaise, the creamy, white condiment must contain a minimum amount of vegetable oil. In most cases, the oil used is soybean oil, one of the most widely consumed oils on the market. Olive oil mayo may include pure olive oil, but in many cases the oil content is actually a mixture of olive, canola, and/or soybean oils. Avocado oil mayo swaps the soybean oil with avocado oil, which is higher in monounsaturated fats. Primal Kitchen Mayo is made with avocado oil as its primary ingredient—no other oils are used.   

What is Whipped Dressing & Spread?

Though used similarly to mayo, “whip” is considered a dressing and spread or sauce. Whipped dressing (also called whipped mayo spread) originated in the early 1930s. Though whip has the same creaminess and spreadability as mayonnaise, it tends to be lighter in consistency, tangy, and a touch sweet in all the best ways. Whipped dressing shares many of the same ingredients as mayonnaise, with a few tweaks. First, there is typically a small amount of sugar (or other sweeteners) added to the formula. The flavor profile is also kicked up a notch with paprika and other savory spices. 

Avocado Oil Mayonnaise vs. Whip

Our Mayo with Avocado Oil is often described as having a neutral, slightly earthy flavor, whereas whip lovers rave about the product’s sweet-spiced flavor and “zippy, zingy tang.” In short, mayonnaise (including avocado oil mayo) is the supporting player–integral to the show, but letting the other ingredient players shine. Whipped dressing & spread, on the other hand, likes to take center stage in the flavor lineup.  

Why Choose Primal Kitchen Whip?

Primal Kitchen Real Whipped Tangy Dressing & Spread is made without cane sugar or corn syrup, deriving its subtle sweetness from other plant-based ingredients. It’s also vegan! This creamy spread can be used in place of mayo in any recipe, from picnic salads to sandwiches, deviled eggs, and more.  

Our real whipped mayo spread is truly original and the first of its kind to be made with no artificial sweeteners, real ingredients, and avocado oil. Looking at the differences between Primal Kitchen Mayo with Avocado Oil and our newer Real Whipped Tangy Dressing & Spread, the latter is the more complex character. Here’s how the ingredients of each product break out: 

Mayo Ingredients

Avocado Oil, Organic Vinegar, Organic Eggs, Organic Egg Yolks, Salt, Rosemary Extract, and Mustard Seed Extract. 

Real Whipped Ingredients

Avocado Oil, Water, Organic Tapioca Syrup, Organic Vinegar, Jicama Juice Concentrate, Salt, Potato Protein, Tamarind Gum, Mustard Flour, Konjac Gum, Citrus Fiber, Rosemary Extract, Spices, Organic Paprika, Organic Black Pepper Extract, Mustard Oil

Why You Need Both Mayo and Real Whipped

Because whipped spread and mayonnaise have overlapping uses, your best bet might be to keep both traditional mayonnaise and whipped mayo in your condiment lineup. This way, whenever a recipe calls for neutral flavor or high heat, you can bring out the mayonnaise. And when your palate craves the lightly sweet and spiced flavor of whipped mayo, or you need a vegan option, it’s ready to dress your best sandwiches and salads!      

Our Mayo and Read Whipped can also share space on the same plate; for example, a mayonnaise BLT with a side of whip-based potato salad or a tuna salad sandwich made with whip plus fries with a side of mayo-based dipping sauce. However you choose to use Primal Kitchen Mayo and Real Whipped, they will add flavor and variety to your weekly meal rotation.  

You might also like these recipes with Real Whipped Tangy Dressing & Spread:

• Summer Shrimp Salad
• Mayo Roast Chicken
• Creamy Cucumber Salad
• Keto Deviled Eggs
• Smoked Salmon Breakfast Bagel