What Is Mayonnaise, light and How Can I Use It?
Mayonnaise, light rewards a little know-how: how to choose it, cook it, store it, and substitute in a pinch. Browse 131 recipes to cook with it.
Key Points
- Light mayonnaise swaps some oil for water and starch, cutting fat and calories by about half.
- It spreads and binds like mayonnaise cold, but runs thinner and a little tangier.
- Avoid it in baked or cooked dishes, where the added water makes it weep or break.
What is mayonnaise, light?
Light mayonnaise is regular mayonnaise with some of the oil pulled out and replaced by water and starch-based thickeners. That cuts the fat and calories by roughly half while keeping a spreadable texture.
It works the same as full-fat mayonnaise as a cold spread or salad binder, just thinner and a touch more tangy, since there is less oil to mute the vinegar. For the full story on what mayonnaise is and how it behaves, see mayonnaise.
Where It Works and Where It Fails
Cold uses are where light mayo earns its place. It binds tuna and chicken salads and spreads on sandwiches without anyone missing the missing fat. Stove-Top Tuna Cakes and Apple, Celery Salad with Creamy Toasted Walnuts Dressing both take it well.
Heat is the weak spot. The added water and starch thin out and can weep or break in baked and cooked dishes, where full-fat mayo holds. If a casserole or hot dip matters, reach for the regular kind.
Buying and Storing
Treat it like any opened jar of mayonnaise: keep it refrigerated and use within about two months, with a clean spoon each time. Light versions are still made with pasteurized egg, so the same shelf life applies.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 tablespoon (15g)Quick facts
Where to find mayonnaise, light: Mayonnaise, light is usually found in the condiments section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group: Mayonnaise, light is a member of the Fats and Oils US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
- In Chinese
- 蛋黄酱，光
- British (UK) term
- Mayonnaise, light
- en français
- la mayonnaise réduite en matières grasses
- en español
- mayonesa baja en grasa
How much does mayonnaise, light weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon | 15 grams |
Related
Fats and Oils
Recipes using mayonnaise, light
There are 131 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Classic Cajun Deviled Eggs
Savor the creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors of these Cajun-inspired deviled eggs. Perfect as an appetizer or party snack, this easy recipe combines smooth egg yolks with Dijon mustard, light mayonnaise, and a kick of Cajun seasoning, topped with pimento-stuffed green olives for a briny finish.
Waldorf 2015
This modern Waldorf salad swaps walnuts for cucumber and adds protein-packed chicken. Crisp apples, sweet raisins, and creamy mayo over fresh romaine in 20 minutes.
Golden Polenta & Egg with Mustard Sauce
Crispy polenta is served with tender green beans, a soft-boiled egg, and a tangy yogurt mustard sauce. An easy yet sophisticated gluten-free breakfast to impress.
Fourth of July Hot Dogs
Enjoy the summer with this simple recipe that will give your hot dog a new look.
Southwestern Potato Salad II
My version of Bobby Flay's very distinctive southwestern, egg-less potato salad from his restaurant, Mesa Grill. Make sure you pour the sauce over the potatoes while they're still warm to ensure the flavors soak in. This salad goes nicely with grilled meat, poultry or seafood.
Mahi Mahi Tacos
To me, fish tacos are the best during summer. There is no real reason behind this, besides that I just think they taste better, and after a winter full of heavy soups and stews, there is nothing like a light and fresh tasting fish taco.
Curried Corn & Crab Cakes
Tasty and good for you too. The mint, cilantro, crab and corn go very well together.
Favourite Caesar Salad
This quick and easy caesar salad is surprisingly refreshing and delicious. There is no reason to buy store-bought dressing, when you can make your own fresh dressing at home within a few minutes, and it tastes just delicious!
BLT Egg Wrap
A quick and easy way to make a deliciously filling meal. A few simple and inexpensive ingredients will for sure satisfy your tummy.
California Grilled Veggie Sandwich
A great summer sandwich! Tasty and light, grilling gives the vegetables nice smoky taste. A little bit garlic and lemon juice brighten up the mayonnaise; feta cheese gives the cheesiness and slightly saltiness, which is a great additional topping of the sandwich.
Turkey Reuben
Sliced turkey, tangy sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese, and a homemade Russian dressing on buttered rye bread, broiled until golden and gooey. A lighter spin on the classic deli Reuben that's ready in 25 minutes.
Light Tuna Salad
The addition of ingredients like curry powder and grated Parmesan make this salad special. Great for sandwiches, on crackers as an appetizer or served on lettuce leaves.
Home on the Range Tuna Salad
Low-fat tuna salad blends water-packed tuna with cottage cheese instead of heavy mayo, plus chopped hard-boiled eggs, celery, and scallions. A high-protein lunch ready in 10 minutes.
Chicken Salad with Lemon, Raisins & Croutons
Super quick, easy and it came out delicious with layers of great textures.
Purple Potato Salad
This purple potato salad is a great side dish. we boiled potatoes with garlic and vinegar, which made potatoes super tasty!
Cabbage-Apple Slaw
Made this recipe with low-fat sour cream and a bit mayonnaise, deliciously creamy, and loved the fruitiness from the apples. This coleslaw is delicious at many ways, topping for burgers, sandwiches, even hot dogs, pulled pork...
Chive Tarragon Deviled Eggs-Easter
These quick and easy deviled eggs are full of flavor. Freshly chopped chives, tarragon, lemon juice, hot pepper sauce and mustard makes a delicious filling. Enjoy these yummy deviled eggs at your Easter's Day!
Apple Beet Salad with Creamy Diil Dressing
Tangy and tasty salad that combines fall/winter fruit and beets with a creamy dressing. Feel free to use canned or pickled beets in place of the fresh beets to save time.
Creamy Dill Salad Dressing & Dip
A quick and easy to make delicious creamy salad dressing. Lower in fat and much tastier than store bought dressings.
Beet & Goat Cheese Crostini
This is a great appetizer, the beets are delicious and easier to prepare, and I used more garlic too, very yummmy.
Chicken Salad Contessa
Chicken salad Contessa: roasted chicken tossed with sweet grapes, toasted walnuts, and a creamy tarragon dressing. Roasting the chicken instead of boiling builds real flavor. Pile it on greens or a croissant.
Larry's Low Fat Chicken Salad
A great Sandwich maker and a light Summer Main Dish with a side salad, or as a salad topper, or stuffed into a Wrap or Tomato. Best served next day as flavors will have blended better.
Chicken Olivia
A comforting, creamy chicken casserole with a crunchy cornflake and almond topping, perfect for family dinners or potlucks. This easy-to-make dish combines tender chicken, rice, and water chestnuts with a zesty lemon kick.
Open Faced Reuben Sandwiches
Open faced Reuben sandwiches baked with sauerkraut, corned beef, and melted Swiss cheese on dark rye toast. A quick appetizer or party snack ready in just 15 minutes.
Sabra Baba Ghanoush (Clone)
This version of the garlicky roasted eggplant dip does not have tahini in it as with a traditional version. While I really like an "authentic" baba ghanoush, I also enjoy the commercial Sabra brand, which uses mayo and some spices. It is slightly sweet and has a little kick. This is my rendition.
Apple, Celery Salad with Creamy Toasted Walnuts Dressing
This sweet, sour yet savory salad has apples, celery, raisins, and toasted walnuts; tossed with a yogurt and mayonnaise dressing that makes the salad creamy and tasty.
Crab (Imitation) Salad
Imitation crab salad just like the deli case: flaked surimi tossed with celery, a light mayo and sour cream dressing, Old Bay, and celery seed. A cool, creamy seafood salad for sandwiches, crackers, or a bed of greens.
Stove-Top Tuna Cakes
Enjoy these quick and easy Stove-Top Tuna Cakes, made with simple, hearty ingredients like canned tuna, breadcrumbs, and eggs. Ready in just 20 minutes, this budget-friendly recipe delivers crispy, flavorful patties perfect for a satisfying meal.
Salmon Steaks with Cucumber Dill Sauce
Salmon steaks poached with white wine, bay leaf, and fresh dill, served with a creamy cucumber dill sauce made from yogurt, mayo, and grated cucumber.
Red Potato Salad
Great potato salad for those who love red potatoes like I do. A perfect, creamy, crunchy potato salad.
Blackened Salmon Sandwich
Grilled blackened wild salmon on toasted whole wheat rolls with creamy avocado mayo, peppery arugula, roma tomatoes, and red onion. Healthy, high-protein, and ready in 25 minutes flat.
Portobello Mushroom Burgers
It is a vegetarian burger, all the vegetables mix very well, tasty and healthy.
Tasty Veggie Spirelli Salad
A colorful spiral pasta salad with tomatoes, green pepper, black olives, and hard-boiled eggs in a tangy paprika mayo dressing. Make it ahead and let the flavors mingle overnight.
Sweet Pepper Cream Shrimp
Plump shrimp in a velvety cream sauce made with tri-color sweet peppers, apple juice, and a custom seasoning blend. Lightened up with evaporated skim milk and cream cheese, served over rice or pasta.
Mayo Orange Ginger Dip
Five-minute mayo orange ginger fruit dip blends light mayonnaise with orange juice, honey, orange zest, and ground ginger. A creamy, citrus-spiked dip for fresh apple, pear, or strawberry slices.
Fruited Chicken Salad
Fruited chicken salad with apples, oranges, and grapes tossed in a light yogurt-mayo dressing with pumpkin pie spice. A refreshing, lighter chicken salad for lunch or summer gatherings.
Barbecue Deviled Eggs
Barbecue deviled eggs with chopped smoked pulled pork, Dijon, and hot sauce. A Southern twist on the classic picnic appetizer that turns leftover barbecue into a creamy, smoky party bite.
Baked New Potato Salad with Peanuts & Mustard Dressing
Baked new potato salad with toasted peanuts, double mustard dressing, cumin, and low-fat yogurt. A make-ahead potato salad with crunch and a tangy, nutty edge.
Black Tie Tomatoes
Elegant black tie tomatoes topped with a yogurt-mayo dressing and a half teaspoon of black caviar each. Six-ingredient appetizer that dresses up halved tomatoes for cocktail parties.
Curried Turkey Apple & Celery Sandwich
Curried turkey sandwich layers diced leftover turkey with crisp apple, celery, and scallions in a yogurt-mayo dressing warmed with curry powder, piled between slices of whole wheat toast. A fresh, fast lunch from the Thanksgiving carcass.
Light-Style Fiesta Shrimp Dip
Light fiesta shrimp dip blends chopped shrimp with reduced-fat cream cheese, picante sauce, horseradish, cumin, and green onions. Lighter than your average shrimp dip, full of southwest punch.
Light Fiesta Shrimp Dip
Light fiesta shrimp dip with reduced-fat cream cheese, picante sauce, horseradish, and cumin. A creamy, zesty cold dip with real chopped shrimp served with vegetable dippers.
Chicken-Chili Topping
Loaded baked potato topping with diced chicken, green chilies, corn, and a cumin-lime mayo dressing. A no-cook Tex-Mex dinner ready in 15 minutes using leftover chicken.
Salmon Corncakes
Salmon corncakes flake poached salmon with sweet corn, shallots, peppers, and cilantro into pan-fried cracker-crumbed patties. Pacific Northwest meets Southwestern in one crispy bite.
More mayonnaise, light recipes
- Apple Cheddar Salad
- Barbecue Deviled Eggs
- Black Tie Tomatoes
- Chicken Carrot & Cucumber Salad
- Chicken-Chili Topping
- Crispy Mustard Chicken
- Easy & Moist Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Fourth of July Crabcake
- Garlic Lover's Creamy Cucumber Dressing
- Ham & Spinach Focaccia Sandwiches
- Light Spinach Dip
- Party Nibbles: Mushroom Nests
- Potato Salad with Cucumber & Red Bell Peppers
- Red Potato Salad
- Simple Octoberfest German Potato Salad
- Smoky Corn Salad
- Sort of Egg Salad
- Waldorf Style Salad
