There’s something about Subway’s mayo that people can’t stop talking about. It’s smoother, creamier, and somehow makes every sandwich taste better. You can use the same bread and fillings at home, but it never hits quite the same. So, what mayo does Subway use, and why does it taste so different?
Turns out, there’s a reason it tastes so different, and it’s not just your imagination. After digging through old employee posts, Reddit threads, and a few industry crumbs, here’s what I found about what mayo Subway actually uses.
The Real Story Behind Subway’s Mayo
There’s no official answer about what brand of mayo Subway uses, because there isn’t one. The chain uses a custom-made blend created specifically for them by their suppliers.
A a former Subway worker, explained it best in a Quora thread.
She explained:
“I worked for Subway last year and there is no brand so I’m sure it is made specially for Subway as is the southwest sauce and a few others. The Mayo comes in a light blue square bag that you cut a hole in one corner and squeeze it into the tubes that are used when applying the Mayo to the sandwich. It is not watered down like some people used to ask me when I worked there.”
Over on Reddit, multiple Subway workers echoed the same thing.
It’s just regular mayonnaise. Simple ingredients and just a package we get. No specific brand.
So, that’s the deal. The type of mayo Subway’s uses is their own proprietary recipe, made only for their stores. You can’t buy it anywhere, which is why copycats and “closest matches” have become such a big topic online.
The Internet Is Obsessed With Subway’s Mayo
Because Subway’s mayo is exclusive to their stores, it’s turned into a bit of an internet fascination. People want to know what makes it so creamy, why it tastes better than anything in a jar, and if there’s any way to buy it. In short: the internet is obsessed.
Here are a few tweets that sum it up perfectly:
It’s kind of amazing, people don’t talk like this about mayo. But clearly, there’s something special about the texture and flavor balance that makes it stand out.
How to Get That Subway Mayo Flavor at Home
Since you can’t buy Subway’s mayo anywhere (and believe me, the internet has tried). I went down that rabbit hole myself, and Reddit has basically turned it into a full-blown investigation.
The consensus? Hellmann’s and Best Foods are the closest you’ll get. They’re technically the same brand, just sold under different names depending on where you live.
I tried Hellmann’s, and yeah, it’s close. Same creamy texture, same balance, just a little lighter than Subway’s thicker, sweeter version.
Put it on white bread with turkey or tuna, and it’s pretty spot on,especially with one of the cheeses Subway uses
Not Everyone’s a Fan
Subway’s mayo inspires strong opinions, mostly love, sometimes not. In one extreme (and tragic) case, a 2022 Atlanta dispute over “too much mayo” even turned violent.
It’s awful, and a wild reminder of how seriously people take their sandwiches
Just Mayo? Not Quite.
So yeah, it’s just mayo… but it’s not just mayo. Subway’s version is smoother, richer, and somehow manages to tie the whole sandwich together.
If you’ve got a favorite dupe (or some secret combo that gets it close), drop it in the comments , I’m always up for more experiments.
And if you’ve ever wondered what makes their cheese melt the way it does, or why every store smells exactly the same the second you walk in , those are next on my list.
