The Best Substitute for Dijon Mustard You Can Use

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Looking for a substitute for Dijon mustard? You’re in luck! This guide will show you how to make a delicious homemade version using common ingredients, and also help you find a substitute that you may already have in your kitchen (or can easily locate at the store).

As you know, Dijon mustard is a popular condiment used in many recipes. If you’re running low or don’t have any on hand, don’t worry. This comprehensive guide to the best substitute for Dijon mustard covers everything you need to know!

What Is Dijon Mustard?

Dijon mustard is a French type of mustard that can be used as a condiment in sandwiches, sauces and glazes, dressings, seasonings, and so much more. It is creamy and pasty with a pale yellow color.

And don’t worry about shaking Dijon mustard. You won’t get the same vinegar separation as with standard yellow mustard.

However, it is best to keep a Dijon mustard container open and use it within six months.

Dijon mustard is made from brown mustard seeds. The mustard seeds create a spicy kick. Dijon is flavored either with white wine and vinegar, verjuice, an acidic juice made of unripe grapes, crab apple, or another type of sour fruit.

A lot of coarse mustards are made by grinding mustard seeds with two stones like a mortar & pestle. “Coarse” mustards have many seeds left whole, giving them a richer flavor and texture.

Common coarse mustard types include creole mustard and stone ground mustard.

Dijon Mustard vs. Yellow Mustard

Dijon mustard is different in flavor or composition from yellow mustard. Yellow mustard is typically bright yellow and made from yellow and white mustard seeds.

Dijon mustard is made from black mustard seeds, which makes it spicier than yellow mustard. It is also creamier than yellow mustard, has less vinegar, and is creamier.

What to Substitute For Dijon Mustard

Here are my top Dijon Mustard substitutes and a simple homemade Dijon mustard substitute recipe that will help you when you need it! You’ll find something that will perfectly suit your needs. Use these 13 substitutes for Dijon mustard depending on your preference and what you have available.

1. Stone Ground Mustard – The Obvious Choice

Stoneground mustard can also be made from brown mustard seeds like Dijon. It contains many whole mustard seeds, so it is milder than Dijon.

So, stone-ground mustard is a great replacement for Dijon mustard because of all the similarities! Particularly for dressings or marinades, in which the flavor profile matches seamlessly.

Generally, the substitution ratio of Stone Ground Mustard to Dijon mustard required in a recipe is 1:1.

2. Yellow Mustard

Yellow mustard is sweeter and tarter than Dijon, but it is still a staple household ingredient. It’s affordable, too! Yellow mustard can be substituted for Dijon and the substitution ratio is 1:1.

3. Whole Grain Mustard

Whole-grain mustard tastes very similar to Dijon mustard. The main difference is in the texture. The mustard seeds are not crushed and are whole, creating a coarse mustard paste.

So, whole grain mustard can be used in place of Dijon to cook meats, make sandwiches, and prepare marinades.

4. Hot English Mustard

Hot English mustard is a cross between Dijon mustard and yellow mustard. It’s great for meat roast, sandwiches, sauces, and gravies.

5. Spicy Brown Mustard

Spicy brown mustard is a stronger flavor than Dijon, but it’s a great substitute for Dijon when making marinades, dressings, or topping bagels. is a bold, zesty flavor that can be used less than the original recipe.

6. Wasabi – In Moderation!

Use less than a 1:0 ratio to substitute wasabi for Dijon. Wasabi is famous for its extraordinary spice. It can be substituted for Dijon in cooking and sandwich making. But use it very sparingly!

7. Horseradish Sauce – The Tangy Choice

The sauce is very similar to Dijon mustard. If you don’t like horseradish, you can use Dijon mustard. You could mix it with honey or cream to make it taste better.

Horseradish sauce is a great alternative for dishes featuring fish, beef, or lamb as a side sauce/dip.

8. Honey Mustard

Honey mustard is sweeter than Dijon mustard, but it pairs well with chicken or pork. This makes honey mustard a great Dijon mustard substitute when it is paired with any protein.

Use it in dips, sauces, and marinades, as well as in dressings and with vegetables and salads.

Try this honey mustard pork chops recipe to start.

9. Egg Yolks And Egg Yolk Powder

You can replace Dijon with egg yolks or egg white powder when Dijon is used to thicken. Egg yolks and egg yolk powder are good alternatives. Egg yolk powder or egg yolk work in dressings to add creaminess and preserve the Dijon-like pale yellow color.

You can substitute egg yolk powder with a few fresh eggs yolks or a spoonful of egg white powder. To enhance the flavor profile add some smashed garlic and fresh chopped herbs.

10. Beer Mustard

Beer mustard is made with an acidic beer and not wine or verjuice. It has a rich flavor and mild spice. Beer mustard can replace Dijon mustard in a dipping sauce where the flavor will not be lost.

However, it’s typically harder to find and not any cheaper than Dijon mustard, so unless you already have this on hand, there’s not as much reason to use it.

11. Mayonnaise – The Overlooked Substitute for Dijon Mustard

Mayonnaise is a versatile Dijon mustard substitute. It is creamy, sweet, and tangy with some acidity from the vinegar. Mayonnaise is a good choice for people who prefer a milder flavor to Dijon. It isn’t as complex in flavor, making it more approachable.

Mayonnaise works in almost any recipe, including dips for French fries, salad dressings, and marinades, as well as meats and burgers.

12. Worcestershire Sauce

Worcestershire sauce is usually made from vinegar, garlic, anchovies, and other condiments. It has a bold, tangy flavor and can be compared to Dijon.

Worcestershire sauce is a thicker sauce. This extra liquid will affect your dish’s outcome. You can use it to marinate and cook meats, or mixed with yogurt or mayonnaise in recipes that call for a creamy ingredient.

13. Lecithin Powder – Yes, Really!

Lecithin powder is a good thickener for a Dijon substitute. This is especially useful for dressings and sauces. Lecithin powder is not flavorful so make sure to add your favorite spices to enhance its flavor.

Extra Tips to Substitute for Dijon Mustard

• If you are using Dijon to make sauces, vinaigrettes, and dips for your salads, and you don’t have it, you can always add the yolk of an egg as a binding agent or emulsifier. Mix all ingredients together and make sure you separate the white and yolk.
• If you have lecithin powder, another option is to substitute Dijon with it. It is vegan-friendly and can be used to bind all ingredients in your dressings, sauces, and dips for salads and vegetables. It tastes similar to Dijon-based vinaigrettes.

Make Your Own Dijon Mustard Substitute

See our recipe below for making your own Dijon mustard. It takes a lot longer than you might think — but it’s totally worth the effort.

Although it is easy to make, it can take at least one week to produce. If you don’t like the store-bought variety, this is a great option!

You can modify and adjust many of the ingredients to your own taste. And do it more affordably, of course!

Choosing the Best Substitute for Dijon Mustard

Thanks for checking out this guide on how to make a substitute for Dijon mustard. As you can see, it’s easy to make your version using common ingredients.

Whether you’re running low on Dijon or just don’t have any on hand, this recipe is perfect for you. Be sure to bookmark or pin this page so you can reference it later!

Now that you are up to speed on mustard, we have loads of recipes where you can use it, including charcuterie boards, chili cheese dogs, soft pretzel bites, and air fryer grilled cheese.

Have a look at our substitution recommendations for other ingredients.