Primal Kitchen makes condiments, dressings, and sauces built on avocado oil instead of soybean or canola oil. Founded in 2015 by Mark Sisson (of Mark's Daily Apple), the brand started as a response to the lack of seed-oil-free mayo and salad dressings in grocery stores. It is now one of the most widely available clean condiment lines in the US.
Why this brand matters
Most commercial condiments are built on soybean oil. Standard mayo, ranch dressing, Caesar dressing, ketchup (in some formulations), and barbecue sauce all typically contain soybean oil or a soybean oil derivative. Soybean oil is approximately 54% omega-6 linoleic acid, one of the most concentrated sources of inflammatory polyunsaturated fat in the food supply.
Primal Kitchen reformulated these same condiments using avocado oil (~10% omega-6) as the base fat. The nutritional difference is significant. A tablespoon of standard soybean oil mayo contains roughly 7g of omega-6 linoleic acid; a tablespoon of avocado oil mayo contains roughly 1.3g.
Best Primal Kitchen products
Our Pick
Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayo
The flagship product. Made with avocado oil, eggs, and organic vinegar, no soybean oil, canola oil, or seed oils. Taste and texture are close to conventional mayo. Available original, chipotle lime, and garlic aioli. The most significant product in the lineup, mayo is where soybean oil does the most damage in the standard American diet.
Our Pick
Primal Kitchen Ranch Dressing (Avocado Oil)
Ranch dressing is typically soybean oil mayo + buttermilk. Primal Kitchen's version uses avocado oil mayo base with dried herbs. Clean ingredient list, no seed oils. Works as a dip or dressing.
Our Pick
Primal Kitchen Caesar Dressing (Avocado Oil)
Standard Caesar dressing is typically soybean oil with anchovy. Primal Kitchen's version uses avocado oil and real anchovies, much cleaner oil profile. Good as a dressing or marinade.
Our Pick
Primal Kitchen Ketchup (No Added Sugar)
Conventional ketchup doesn't typically contain seed oil, but does contain sugar. Primal Kitchen's version removes the added sugar without introducing seed oils. Good if you're watching both seed oils and sugar.
What to watch out for
Primal Kitchen was acquired by Kraft Heinz in 2019. Since acquisition, the core product lineup has remained avocado-oil-based, but a few points to check:
Where to buy
Primal Kitchen is now widely available. You'll find it at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Target, Costco (rotating selection), and most major grocery chains. Amazon is typically the best value, especially for multi-packs.
Other clean brands