Honey mustard is one of the best ingredients you can pair with chicken fingers, sandwiches and simple garden salads — and it tastes so good because of its main constituent ingredients of honey, mustard and mayonnaise.
But what if your pantry is missing one of the key component, Dijon mustard?
Well, we’ve got you covered with a few effortless ways to make honey mustard without relying on Dijon.
In this piece, we’ll walk you through the process and also share delightful 2-ingredient and 3-ingredient recipes for crafting that perfect honey mustard sauce.
What Does Djon Do In Honey Mustard?
You might have wondered what gives honey mustard its warm heat rounded by sweetness which pairs so well with sandwiches and tenders.
Yes, it’s the combination of sweet honey and savory mustard (and a whole lot in between), but there’s a particular type of mustard that truly elevates this delicious sauce: Dijon mustard.
For starters, dijon mustard is a popular French mustard variety known for its smooth texture, sharp flavor and pale-yellow color.
It’s made primarily from brown or black mustard seeds (which are more spicy than their yellow counterparts), white wine or vinegar, and seasonings like salt and spices – and it helps to bring out a unique depth of flavor in honey mustard sauce.
Here’s how.
1. Balancing Act – The tanginess of Dijon perfectly complements the sweetness of honey creating an exquisite balance between sweet and tart flavors. This helps add depth to the overall sauce.
2. Creamier Consistency – Unlike traditional yellow mustard, which tends to be thicker and grainier, Dijon has a silky-smooth consistency that lends itself beautifully to honey mustard sauce giving it an appetizing appearance and luscious mouthfeel.
4. Versatility – The addition of Dijon to honey mustard give it the kind of flavors that increases its versatility as a condiment or dressing for various dishes from chicken to salads or dipping sauces for pretzels and veggies.
Can You Use Regular Mustard Instead Of Dijon For Honey Mustard?
When it comes to crafting the perfect honey mustard sauce, different mustards can surely make an impact on the final result.
While dijon mustard is often a favorite for its smooth texture and distinct flavor, the truth is that you can absolutely use regular yellow mustard – or even a blend of both – to suit your taste preferences.
Yellow mustard brings a brighter and tangier taste compared to its dijon counterpart, lending an extra zing to your honey mustard sauce.
If you’re looking for a more balanced flavor, consider combining equal parts of yellow and dijon mustards.
This harmonious mixture will allow you to capture the rich essence of dijon while still enjoying the vibrant kick provided by traditional yellow mustard.
How To Make Honey Mustard Without Dijon
Here’s a simple yet delicious recipe to make honey mustard without the need for that elusive French mustard.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup quality mayonnaise
- 4 tablespoons yellow mustard
- A dash of cayenne pepper
- A sprinkle of paprika
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- A pinch of salt
Step-By-Step Honey Mustard Magic
1. Gather all your ingredients and choose a medium-sized mixing bowl to bring them together.
2. With love and care, pour in the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, honey and rice wine vinegar (if using).
3. Now comes the fun part – whisking! Gently blend your mixture until a smooth consistency emerges, making sure that every ingredient is integrated seamlessly.
4. Add freshly ground black pepper, a pinch of salt, a hint of cayenne pepper, and a touch of paprika for an extra flavor kick.
5. Give your delicious sauce one final whirl to combine everything.
And there you have it! Honey mustard sauce without Dijon.
Serve your creation immediately or store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
3 Ingredient Honey Mustard
Whipping up a delicious honey mustard really doesn’t require a laundry list of ingredients or hours spent in the kitchen.
You can actually make honey mustard with just three basic components!
Here’s the recipe below.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, honey and Dijon mustard. Blend them together until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.
2 Ingredient Honey Mustard
If you think 3 is small, wait till you discover this next honey mustard recipe with just 2 ingredients — honey and mustard!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Dijon Mustard
- 1/4 cup Honey
Procedure
Mix together, and you have all you need to make your salad and meat taste exciting!
How To Make Honey Mustard Without Honey
Want to make honey mustard sauce without the honey?
While it’s technically possible, in a genuine sense, you’ll be making something other than honey mustard sauce if you ever attempt to create it without honey — yes, honey does play a pivotal role in the sauce.
To make Honey Mustard without honey, use date as the substitute.
Here are the ingredients
- 1/4 cup dates
- 1/4 cup mustard
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
Instructions
1. First things first, soften the dates by soaking them in water. They’ll act as your honey substitute and create the perfect balance of sweetness.
2. In a blender or food processor, combine softened dates, mustard, oil, water and vinegar. Blend for about a minute until the mixture is smooth and silky.
3. Transfer your blended concoction into a bowl and add in mayonnaise. Give it a good stir until everything is thoroughly combined.
4. Your date-based honey mustard is ready to enjoy! Drizzle it over salads, use it as a dip, or slather it on sandwiches – the options are endless.
5. Keep any leftovers chilled in the refrigerator for up to five days.
How To Make Homemade Honey Mustard Dressing Without Vinegar
Like paprika, cayenne pepper and salt, vinegar, in whichever form it comes in is an optional ingredient in making honey mustard sauce.
Just to think of it, mustard in itself is a condiment that contains vinegar itself, and its presence there is more than enough to cater for the tanginess and acidity you’re looking for in a honey mustard sauce.
So if you don’t like vinegar, or you don’t have it in stock, feel free to exclude it from the standard honey mustard sauce recipe without any replacement.
