The Real Difference Between Mayonnaise and Miracle Whip

Mayonnaise is a very versatile product that journeys to the table in a variety of ways.

Many enjoy its taste which adds a rich creaminess to foods like tuna salad and turkey sandwiches. It has a composition that ensures the perfect crisp on toasted bread or moisture in cakes.

However, offering steep competition for the attention of people is the Miracle Whip, always ready to go in that recognizable blue and white label identically packaged like the mayonnaise.

Miracle Whip is classified as a dressing but it is usually found in the condiment section looking just like the mayo. How do they really differ? That's what we'll be examining in this short brief.

Along with why some people only eat potato salad if it’s made with Miracle Whip?

The Difference Between Mayo and Miracle Whip

Mayonnaise and Miracle Whip are very similar in composition. They're also used in nearly identical circumstances. But people wh9 eat mayo usually avoid miracle whip and those who eat the whip would rather not have mayo. Why is this?

The first thing to do is truly consider the origin of the classic mayonnaise. We know that it is a combination of egg yolks and acid emulsified by oil that was thought up by a French chef celebrating a duke's naval triumph over the British in the 1750s.

At some point he runs out of cream and figures that oil and eggs would be a suitable replacement for whatever he was making.

What was born that day was a genius feat of science, where the egg becomes the glue between oil and liquid, leading to the birth of a permanently blended, spreadable, and stable product.

On the other hand, the Miracle Whip is a much more recent invention. It is a product of KraftHeinz from 1933, developed as an inexpensive alternative to mayo.

So, how do they differ exactly?

It boils down to some of the different ingredients and taste.

Mayonnaise is made of oil, eggs, and vinegar (or lemon juice). Miracle Whip uses the same basic ingredients but the difference is there's less oil, and extra ingredients like water, sugar, and spices like mustard, paprika, and garlic are added.

Despite the additions, Miracle Whip has almost half the calories of mayo and half the fat. You can even purchase it in original, light, and fat-free versions.

Today, commercially, products labeled “mayonnaise” must be 65% vegetable oil by weight.

Miracle Whip has added content that reduces that oil content. This is why it can’t be classified as mayonnaise and must instead be labeled “dressing”.

Some commercial mayonnaise contain sugar in addition to the oil, eggs, and vinegar, but never in enough quantity to make the condiment seem “sweet” as much as Miracle Whip might.

The true difference between the two condiments is the taste. Miracle Whip is simultaneously sweeter and spicier than mayo while Mayonnaise is richer, with a distinct eggy smell and a slightly tangy taste.

Conclusion

The similarities between Mayonnaise and Miracle Whip are wide, especially in color and texture. But yes, you can substitute them, under certain conditions.