Seed Oil Free Condiments: Mayo, Ketchup, and Salad Dressing Without Canola or Soybean Oil

Mayonnaise and salad dressing are two of the sneakiest sources of seed oil in a normal grocery cart, since oil is often the single largest ingredient by volume in both. Ketchup, by contrast, usually doesn't contain oil at all, so the concern there is smaller than people often assume.

Several mainstream brands now make mayo and dressing with 100% avocado oil or olive oil instead of soybean or canola oil, including Primal Kitchen, Chosen Foods, and Sir Kensington's for mayo, and Tessemae's and Primal Kitchen again for dressings. Most standard ketchup is naturally seed oil free already, since classic ketchup recipes don't call for added oil.

Which mayo brands are actually seed oil free?

Traditional mayonnaise brands like Hellmann's and Kraft use soybean oil as their base fat. The FDA's own standard of identity for mayonnaise, 21 CFR 169.140, requires at least 65% vegetable oil by weight, and most commercial mayo runs closer to 75-82% oil, meaning it's the single largest ingredient by far, more than the eggs, vinegar, or seasoning combined. A handful of brands have replaced that base with avocado oil instead.

Primal Kitchen's avocado oil mayo is Whole30 Approved and Certified Paleo, and the brand markets it explicitly as free of soy and canola oil. Sir Kensington's version pairs its avocado oil base with Certified Humane, free-range eggs and non-GMO ingredients across the board.

What about salad dressing?

Bottled dressing is arguably a bigger source of seed oil than mayo for most households, since it's poured liberally and often eaten daily. Extra virgin olive oil is the most common seed oil free base for dressings, and brands like Tessemae's and Primal Kitchen build entire product lines around it, alongside avocado oil versions.

When shopping for dressing, the ingredient order matters. If oil is listed first, it's the largest ingredient by weight, so check whether that oil is olive, avocado, or something like "soybean oil" or unspecified "vegetable oil." Many "healthy-sounding" dressings still lead with canola or soybean oil despite other clean-label marketing on the front of the bottle.

Does ketchup actually contain seed oil?

Usually not, and this is worth clarifying because it's a common point of confusion. Classic ketchup is made from tomato concentrate, vinegar, sugar, and spices, none of which require added oil, so most major ketchup brands, including standard Heinz, don't list any oil in their ingredients at all. If you're specifically avoiding seed oils, ketchup is one condiment you likely don't need to worry much about, though it's still worth a quick label check on flavored or specialty varieties, which occasionally add oil-based ingredients.

What other condiments commonly hide seed oils?

• Ranch dressing and dips almost always use soybean or canola oil as the base, even in "healthier" or organic versions, so check carefully.
• Barbecue sauce sometimes includes soybean oil as an emulsifier, though many recipes skip it entirely.
• Pesto is traditionally olive oil based, but jarred versions sometimes cut costs with a soybean or canola oil blend.
• Hot sauce is usually oil-free, similar to ketchup, but some creamy or "buffalo" style sauces add vegetable oil.

Are these condiments also non-GMO?

Often, yes, though it's a separate claim worth checking on its own. Soybean and canola, the two most common seed oils in mainstream condiments, are also two of the most widely genetically modified crops grown in the U.S. Brands that switch to avocado oil or olive oil for their seed oil free positioning frequently pair that with non-GMO sourcing too, since the two claims tend to appeal to the same shopper. Sir Kensington's, for example, markets its avocado oil mayo specifically as made with "non-GMO ingredients" alongside the avocado oil claim, rather than treating the two as separate marketing lines. If a condiment doesn't explicitly say non-GMO or carry a Non-GMO Project Verified seal, don't assume it automatically is one just because it avoids seed oil, since the eggs, vinegar, sugar, and seasonings in a condiment can still come from genetically modified sources even when the base oil doesn't.

What should you actually keep in your fridge?

A practical seed oil free condiment shelf usually ends up fairly short: one avocado oil or olive oil mayo, one or two olive oil based dressings, a standard ketchup (since it's rarely an issue either way), and a mustard, which is almost always naturally oil-free regardless of brand. Once you have those basics covered, the harder work shifts to sauces used in restaurant cooking and premade meals, which is a bigger and messier category than what sits in a home refrigerator.

How do I check a condiment label fast?

Skip the front-of-package claims like "made with real avocado" or "healthy fats," since those phrases aren't regulated and can appear even when the product also contains seed oil as a secondary ingredient. Go straight to the ingredient list and look at the first two or three items, since oil is usually near the top if it's a major component. A specific oil name (avocado, olive) is a good sign; "vegetable oil," "soybean oil," or "canola oil" is not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is avocado oil mayo actually 100% avocado oil?

For the brands that market it that way, yes, based on their published ingredient lists, avocado oil is the sole fat source, with no soybean or canola oil blended in. Always double check the specific product, since some brands sell both an "avocado oil blend" version and a 100% avocado oil version under similar packaging.

Does ketchup need to be labeled "seed oil free" to actually be seed oil free?

No. Most standard ketchup recipes never contained oil to begin with, so a "seed oil free" claim on ketchup is often more of a marketing signal than a meaningful ingredient change. Check the ingredient list to confirm, but don't expect ketchup to be a major source of seed oil in your diet either way.

Sources

• eCFR: 21 CFR 169.140, Mayonnaise Standard of Identity
• Primal Kitchen: Avocado Oil Mayo
• Sir Kensington's: Avocado Oil Mayo
• Algae Cooking Club: Complete Seed Oil-Free Grocery List
• Zero Acre Farms: The Ultimate Seed Oil-Free Shopping List