I can still remember the day in early December. I was doing my typical online grocery shopping, and there it was, something I had heard of for years but had never actually seen — Duke’s mayonnaise. Long-lauded by my Southern friends, I had wanted to try it for years but could never find it — until now. I was intrigued.
I can honestly say that it lived up to the hype. It added a fresh taste to everything I used it in. And I used it a lot! I posted my love for it on Facebook and talked to my friends about it. I was obsessed.
Want to learn all about my newest obsession, Duke’s mayonnaise? How does it taste? How does it compare to Hellman’s?
Let’s go to The Chalkboard.
Jump Ahead To
History Of Duke’s Mayonnaise
It all started when Eugenia Duke started selling her sandwiches to National Guard soldiers at Camp Sevier near her home in Greenville, South Carolina. Duke’s chicken salad, pimento cheese, and egg salad all included her homemade spread. The operation grew over time as Duke bought a food truck (way ahead of her time) and then had a brick-and-mortar shop in a local hotel.
In 1923, one of Duke’s salesmen noticed her mayonnaise’s popularity and suggested they start selling bottles. That business took off, and by 1929, Duke was struggling to keep up with the demand. She then sold her stake to another local company.
What’s Difference Between Duke’s Mayonnaise And Hellman’s?
So what makes Duke’s so great? Why were the soldiers and Greenville residents so enthralled with Eugina’s sandwich spread? It likely comes down to the ingredients. Mayonnaise is a pretty simple recipe with only a few ingredients.
Both contain Soybean oil, eggs, and salt. Duke’s mayonnaise contains a combination of distilled and cider vinegar, while Hellman’s only contains distilled vinegar which makes Duke’s tangier. Hellman’s also contains lemon juice concentrate and sugar. Duke’s is the only mass-produced mayonnaise that does NOT include sugar. The company is quite proud of this fact.
Duke’s and Hellman’s are NOT the same!
What Does Duke’s Mayonnaise Taste Like? Is Duke’s Good?
Duke’s mayonnaise does NOT taste like Hellman’s! It’s a bit tangier (in a good way), smoother, and creamier. The extra flavor likely comes from the combination of apple cider and distilled vinegar. We use it in our BLTs in this meal plan.
Duke’s is GREAT!
Where To Buy Duke’s Mayonnaise?
For years I heard about Duke’s but could never get my hands on it since I lived up North. It has been readily available in grocery stores in the Southern United States, but just recently, I have seen it more and more. It is now available at Walmart, Amazon Fresh, and other smaller grocery stores. The company has a very helpful store locator.
If you can’t find it in stores, Lifehacker has a pretty good recipe. It’s not exact, but it’s pretty darn close!
What Company Makes Duke’s?
Duke’s has been owned by Sauer Brands since 1929 when Eugenia Duke sold the company.
Originally started as a small operation selling flavor extracts in 1887 and now sells flavor enhancing products including Kernel Seasons, The Spice Hunter, Tasty Shakes, Sauer’s, Gold Medal, and BAMA.
Where Is Duke’s Made?
Sauer produces Duke’s in two locations, Mauldin, South Carolina and Kansas.
The lot numbers will determine where the purchased product was made. If there are five numbers and the letter M, it was produced in Mauldin. If there are five numbers and the letters SS it was made in Kansas.
Duke’s Mayonnaise Nutrition
What Do You Think?
Have you tried Duke’s Mayonnaise? Or is another brand your favorite? Let me know in the comments below; I’d love to hear!
Happy Mayo!
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Jeannie says
Interesting to know the difference of the two, I make my own mayo and would love to try a copycat of Duke mayo without the egg because I cant eat them.
Kristen says
I wonder if you could substitute the cooking water from chickpeas (aquafaba) for the egg in the recipe? I personally haven’t tried it but it is often used as an egg substitute. If you try it, let me know how it goes!
Ann says
I started liking Dukes for over a year now .It was on sale at Publix by one get one free .I tried it and I was hooked. IT took my husband a few tries but he is never going back to any other Mayo .Hellman’s was the choice of our house , but when Mayo goes on sale by one get one free you can’t pass a good deal. Iam glad I did . I hope they never change the recipe .Dukes is the King of Mayo. Love it
Ruth Esslinger says
so you make vegan mayo??? I would just say make it with the 2 types of vinegars.
Lisa says
I need to try this kind of Mayo because I’m a big Mayo fan! This sounds delicious!
Gina Abernathy says
I live in the south and I buy Dukes mayo. It is the Best! There is nothing like a good tomato sandwich loaded with Dukes mayo! Delicious!
Georgette says
I am a Southern lady (67) who grew up on Dukes mayo, tried to like Miracle Whip for my husband’s sake and couldn’t, so we are a Dukes mayo/Miracle Whip salad dressing family, each having our own jar! I don’t even like to lick my fingers when making my husband a sandwich. That being said, today for lunch I had a tomato sandwich with Dukes mayo. Oh my goodness! I don’t like MW due to its tanginess and have never thought of Dukes as being tangy. It has a bit of a salty taste to me. Funny story, my family many years ago didn’t have a lot of money, and for Christmas one year, my grandmother who had simple wants received about 4 jars of Dukes mayo – apparently each of her grandkids were on the same wavelength! It was pretty funny!
Gabriela Herrera says
What a wonderful post I had heard some of this history but you really nailed it all down. I didn’t even know it had Apple Cider Vinegar. No wonder it is so great and creamy.
Wendie Rodgers says
When I first read the title of your post I wondered where in the south you lived!!! LOL!! Glad I read through to see that you’re a northerner! I have heard about Duke’s for years but always thought it was a southern thing. Never even thought to look on Amazon to buy it. Now i HAVE to do a taste test!
Rocksann Thompson says
I am a South Carolina girl, born and raised. Dukes is the ONLY mayonnaise. There is no substitute. I was a military spouse for 20 years and lived in places where I could not buy Dukes. So, my family would mail me jars of Dukes so my sandwiches, cole slaw, potato salad, deviled eggs, and many other recipes were never without my Dukes mayo. Dukes is the only mayo in my pantry. On a hot, summer day down south there is nothing better than a tomato picked from the garden, sliced, and put between two pieces of bread with salt, pepper, and LOTS of Dukes mayo slathered on there. OMG. Absolute heaven!!!!!
Jean says
I was born in Greenville SC and was raised on Duke’s. When I grew up and moved up North and to the Mid-West I came home to visit and would leave with Duke’s in my suitcase! It is definitely outstanding and flavorful. My favorite.
Ann says
I started liking Dukes for over a year now .It was on sale at Publix by one get one free .I tried it and I was hooked. IT took my husband a few tries but he is never going back to any other Mayo .Hellman’s was the choice of our house , but when Mayo goes on sale by one get one free you can’t pass a good deal. Iam glad I did . I hope they never change the recipe .Dukes is the King of Mayo. Love it
Kristen says
I totally agree Duke’s is the best and we stock up when we can, too.
Anna says
Duke’s hands down! Bangin’! AND the fact it is sugar-free! GangGang!
Kristen says
Agree! I’ll never go back!
Theresa Hall says
I don’t usually have mayonnaise in my fridge but needed some for a recipe. I’ve heard about Dukes for years but didn’t know there was a difference. I literally eat a tablespoon of it on it’s own even when I don’t have a need for it in a recipe.
Kristen says
It’s so great and knowing there’s less sugar is an added bonus.
Mary says
Hellmans or any other brand are great for all purpose Mayo, but when I make my heirloom tomato sandwiches, it’s got to be Dukes!
Kristen says
I am sure those sandwiches taste great! Heirlooms are the best!
Bud Miller says
Dukes is the best!
Kristen says
I agree, Bud!
A.D. says
Hi. Have you tried Duke’s Heavy Duty Mayonnaise and if you have, how does it taste compared to regular Duke’s Mayonnaise? Also, have you tried Hane Pure Foods Safflower Mayonnaise? If not, I highly recommend it!!!! Hellman’s used to be my mayonnaise my entire life. But once I tried Hane Pure Foods Safflower Mayonnaise, I was instantly hooked. Please try it if you haven’t and please let us know what you think of it compared to Duke’s.
Kristen says
I haven’t seen the heavy-duty in stores, but a quick look online seems like they’ve included high fructose corn syrup in that version. I’ll check on the safflower mayo. Thanks for the recommendation!
A. Daversa says
You’re very welcome. The Hane Safflower Mayonnaise is a little pricey because of using the higher quality safflower oil, but it’s oh so worth it!! Really interested in knowing how you like it. ☺️☺️
A.D. says
You’re very welcome. The Hane Safflower Mayonnaise is a little pricey because of using the higher quality safflower oil, but it’s oh so worth it!! Really interested in knowing how you like it. ☺️☺️
Sandi says
Hellman’s had always been my favorite!! Now something is different. Not as thick and doesn’t taste like it use to. I am so disappointed. May try dukes now. Wish Hellman’s would go back to original recipe.
Kristen says
If you try it, let me know what you think, Sandi. Once I had Dukes I never went back to Hellmans.
EdEddiebear2@yahoo.com says
It has bioengineered ingredients
Kristen says
There are GMO’s in the product but it’s worth noting that not all GMOs are bad.
https://dukesmayo.com/pages/frequently-asked-questions
https://www.fda.gov/media/135280/download#:~:text=GMO%20foods%20are%20carefully%20studied,differently%20than%20non%2DGMO%20foods.&text=Do%20GMOs%20affect%20your%20health,as%20their%20non%2DGMO%20counterparts.
Rick says
cheers, I’ve been living in the UK for a couple of decades and Dukes isn’t to be had anywhere at any price. You can get Hellman’s, which I can live with, but once you’re at that point you’re pretty much just price shopping and the field isn’t great.
I just tried the Lifehacker recipe and it works really well. Not Duke’s but better that anything I’ve found here and pretty close and first try.
Thanks
Trace Wetzel says
I’m just curious as to why Duke’s chooses to use soybean oil, over the much healthier olive oil option. I’ve been trying to find out who makes the mayonnaise for Chic-fil-a. So, I finally discover it’s made by Duke’s. However, I most likely won’t be buying anyway, because of the nasty soybean oil. Which is so very, very non healthy for the heart 🙁