No dijon mustard? No problem! Don't worry, we'll run you through the best Dijon mustard substitutes so you can still make any recipe that calls for it. There may be instances when you don't have Dijon mustard on hand or may be looking for a great Dijon mustard substitute due to dietary restrictions or personal preference. In this article, we will explore the best Dijon mustard substitutes and why they are great alternatives (as well as what not to use and a homemade recipe!).
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🤔 What is dijon mustard?
Dijon mustard is a popular condiment that originated in France, specifically in the city of Dijon. It has a unique flavor profile that combines spiciness, tanginess, and a subtle sweetness. It is a pale yellow color and is commonly used in sauces, dressings, marinades, and dips, making it an essential ingredient in many recipes. Like in this cashew caesar dressing and this yummy potato hash.
Dijon mustard is made with black and/or brown mustard seeds and is flavored with either white wine and vinegar or verjuice. Verjuice is an acidic liquid made from unripe grapes or crab apples. It's made by grinding mustard seeds until they have broken down.
This French mustard is smooth, and has a silky texture. Unlike coarse mustards, which are also ground with a pestle and mortar, some of the seeds are left whole or partially whole. Dijon goes through the coarse mustard paste stage, but is ground further and then pressed to remove any remaining pieces of seeds.
Examples of coarse mustard are creole mustard, whole-grain Dijon and stone ground mustard.
🌟 The best substitutes for dijon mustard
1. Yellow Mustard
Standard yellow mustard is the most commonly used mustard in the United States (especially on hot dogs) and is readily available in grocery stores. It has a mild flavor, is made with mustard powder and is less tangy than Dijon. If you are looking for a substitute for Dijon mustard, yellow mustard is probably one of the best substitutes for dijon mustard as it has a similar texture and consistency.
However, it lacks the spiciness and complexity of flavor that Dijon mustard offers, probably as it's made from mustard powder and not seeds. Yellow mustard is also a great alternative for those who prefer a milder taste.
1:1 – substitute 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard for 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard.
2. Spicy brown mustard
Spicy brown mustard is a close cousin of Dijon mustard and has a similar flavor profile. It is spicier than yellow mustard and has a coarser texture. It's probably the second best substitute for Dijon. Spicy brown mustard (AKA deli mustard) is an excellent substitute for Dijon mustard in recipes that require a little heat. It works well in marinades, dressings and mustard sauce.
1:1 – substitute 0.5 tablespoon of spicy brown mustard for 1 tablespoon of dijon.
3. Whole grain mustard
Whole grain mustard is a popular condiment that can be used as a substitute for Dijon mustard. It is made with a mixture of many whole mustard seeds and vinegar, giving it a textured and slightly chunky consistency. Unlike Dijon mustard, it has a milder flavor and a slightly nutty taste.
To substitute Dijon mustard with whole grain mustard, use a 1:1 ratio. It is a great addition to dressings, sandwiches, and marinades. Overall, it is a versatile condiment that can add flavor and texture to a variety of dishes.
1:1 – substitute 0.5 tablespoon of whole grain mustard for 1 tablespoon of dijon.
4. Beer mustard
Beer mustard is a tasty condiment made by mixing mustard seeds with beer, vinegar, and other flavorings. It has a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that makes it an excellent alternative to traditional Dijon mustard.
To substitute Dijon mustard with beer mustard, use a 1:1 ratio. Additionally, you can adjust the ratio to your liking, depending on how strong or mild you want the mustard flavor to be.
Overall, beer mustard is a versatile and delicious condiment that adds a unique twist to recipes.
1:1 – substitute 1 tablespoon of beer mustard for 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard.
5. Stone ground mustard
Dijon mustard and stone ground mustard are made from brown mustard seeds.
Stone-ground mustard is made using whole mustard seeds that are ground using a traditional stone mill. This process creates a coarser texture and more rustic flavor compared to other types of mustard. Stone ground mustard is milder than Dijon because many of the seeds are left whole, not crushed to release the spice and flavor.
1:1 – substitute 1 tablespoon stone ground mustard for 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard.
5. German mustard
German mustard, also known as Bavarian or sweet mustard, is a popular condiment in Germany that has a mild and slightly sweet flavor. It is made with a blend of yellow and brown mustard seeds, vinegar, sugar, and spices.
To substitute Dijon mustard with German mustard, use a 1:1 ratio. It has a sweeter and milder taste than Dijon mustard, so it may not be the best substitute for recipes that require a strong mustard flavor, but it is a good alternative.
1:1 – substitute 1 tablespoon of German mustard for 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard.
6. Honey mustard
Honey mustard is a sweeter alternative to Dijon mustard. It is made by combining mustard with honey (it can be made with vegan honey or maple syrup!), white wine vinegar, and other seasonings. Honey mustard has a milder flavor than Dijon mustard and is often used as a dipping sauce for snacks, and of course, as a salad dressing. It is also a great substitute for Dijon mustard in salad dressings and sandwiches.
Honey mustard is much sweeter than dijon mustard so while it is a decent dijon substitute there will be differences in flavor to the overall dish.
0.5:1 – substitute 0.5 tablespoon of honey mustard for 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard.
7. English mustard
English mustard or hot English mustard is a spicy mustard and an OK substitute for dijon mustard. It's hotter than Dijon, and has a hint of wasabi or horse radish flavour as it is tart and hot. It has a spicy kick and is a bright yellow color.
Use 1 teaspoon of english mustard to 1 tablespoon of dijon, otherwise it may be too overpowering.
8. Horseradish sauce
Horseradish is a root vegetable that has a pungent and spicy flavor. It is often used as a condiment and is a popular addition to roast beef sandwiches. Horseradish has a similar spiciness to Dijon mustard and can be used as a substitute in recipes that require heat. However, it lacks the tanginess and sweetness of Dijon and it has quite a sharp flavor. Use a 1:1 ratio.
9. Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is a creamy condiment that has a mild flavor and a smooth texture, making it an OK substitute for Dijon mustard in recipes that require a creamy texture because of its creamy consistency. It is often used in sandwiches, dips, and salad dressings. While standard mayo is not always vegan because it's made with egg yolks, vegan mayo is readily available in most supermarkets.
While mayo (vegan or otherwise) can be used as a dijon mustard substitute, it doesn't have the same tart edge that dijon has. Try adding ground mustard seeds or lemon juice for the slight sour flavour. The same goes for sour cream (vegan, of course!).
1:1 – substitute 1 tablespoon of vegan mayonaise for 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard.
10. Lecithin powder
Lecithin powder is a versatile ingredient that can be used as a thickener in place of Dijon mustard, and is also a great emulsifier. Unlike mustard, it does not have a strong flavor, so it can be a good substitute for those who do not like the taste of dijon mustard.
However, it is important to note that lecithin powder is not a common ingredient that most people would have in their cupboards, so it may not be the most practical substitute.
To use in place of Dijon mustard, mix 0.5 teaspoon of lecithin powder with one tablespoon of water until it forms a smooth paste. This can then be used as a thickener in recipes such as dressings, sauces, and marinades. Keep in mind that it will not add any flavor to the dish, so it is best used in recipes where the taste of mustard is not essential. Or use one of the other dijon mustard substitute options.
Substitute 0.5 teaspoon of lecithin powder mixed with 1 tablespoon of water for 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard.
🤨 What not to use
Worcestershire sauce
Worcestershire sauce seems to be something that people recommend to use in place of so many ingredients. However, it is not a dijon mustard substitute and don't let anybody tell you otherwise. Worcestershire sauce is a brown liquid that has quite a tangy flavor. It lacks texture, thickness and sweetness.
Egg Yolk Powder
Obviously, we don't recommed using egg yolk powder, egg yolks or any other animal derived ingredient. Even if that weren't the case, egg yolks or the powdered equivalent are not a good dijon mustard substitute.
Wasabi
Wasabi has a pungent flavor. So, it won't replace dijon at all. It has an intense flavor that is also very hot and spicy. It's a completely different texture, and it's green!
💭 FAQs
Yellow mustard is the best dijon mustard substitute. Yellow mustard is made from white mustard seeds and uses turmeric for color.
Yes, Dijon mustard is usually vegan and so are all of the dijon mustard substitutes in this article. We buy either the Maille brand or supermarket own, they're usually always vegan.
Yes, dijon mustard is almost always gluten free. It may be worth checking the packaging just in case, but usually it is gluten free.
So, there we have it. All the dijon mustard substitutes you could possibly need! The best dijon substitute is yellow mustard, followed by spicy brown mustard, stone ground mustard, horseradish sauce and even (vegan) honey mustard, in a pinch. Then there's always homemade dijon mustard, hot English mustard and even mayo. There's likely to be a versatile dijon mustard substitute hiding at the back of the cupboard somewhere!
📋 More substitute articles
📖 Recipe
Homemade Dijon Mustard
Ingredients
- ½ cup black mustard seeds
- ⅛ cup white wine vinegar
- ⅛ cup water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon brown sugar
Instructions
- In a bowl, cover the mustard seeds with water, just enough to cover them.½ cup black mustard seeds
- Leave them to soak at room temperature for at least 2 hours but can be up to 24 hours.
- Drain and transfer the mixture to a pestle and mortar and begin grinding the mustard seeds for around 10 minutes. Once the mustard seeds start to break down, add in the white wine vinegar and water. Continue to pound.⅛ cup white wine vinegar, ⅛ cup water
- Add the salt and sugar, then continue crushing. Add a little more water or white wine vinegar if it looks dry.½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon brown sugar
- Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- It will still be grainy at this point, to make it smooth, press it through a sieve using the back of a spoon.
- Transfer the mustard to a clean jar and store in the refrigerator for up to one month.
Notes
- Leaving the homemade dijon mustard substitute in the fridge for 24 hours before use will allow the heat to mellow out. If using straight away, it will be hotter than after sitting in the fridge.
- Switch out half of the black mustard seeds for yellow mustard seeds for a mustard that isn't as hot.
- White wine can be used instead of some of the liquid, that's down to personal preference.
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