Ask Dr. Gourmet

What can I substitute for mayonnaise?

In your Green Goddess Dressing recipe, what can I substitute for the mayonnaise?

Dr. Gourmet Says...

The best substitution for mayonnaise is yogurt. I like to use non-fat plain Greek yogurt. It is super creamy and gives the same mouthfeel that mayonnaise does.

Another great alternative is to make yogurt cheese - it's really easy. Place a coffee filter in a fine mesh strainer. Hang the strainer in a large enough bowl so that there is at least an inch of space between the bottom of the strainer and the bottom of the bowl.

Put two cups of plain yogurt in the coffee filter in the strainer. Cover the bowl and strainer with plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator for 24 hours. The liquid will drain from the yogurt, leaving a thicker, creamier yogurt cheese. This will keep for about a week in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator and makes a great addition to sauces and dressings.

Thanks for writing.

Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, CCMS
Dr. Gourmet