Dijon mustard is one of those condiments that everyone has at least heard of but probably never tried.
It’s typically made from ground red or yellow mustard seeds combined with vinegar, salt, and sugar.
The name comes from Dijon, France where the spice was originally developed.
What Is The Difference Between Dijon Mustard And Regular Mustard?
While they both contain mustard seeds and are used as condiments, there are some key differences between these two types of mustards.
- Regular mustard contains only about 35% oil while dijon uses about 55%. This makes it easier to use on meats without causing them to dry out too quickly.
- Both varieties have their own unique flavor profiles. Regular mustards tend to taste sweeter than dijon mustard since more sugar is added during processing.
- The color of the mustard also differs depending on which type of mustard you choose. While most brands of dijon mustard come in darker shades like brown or black, many regular mustards are lighter-colored because less dyeing agent is used when coloring them.
Which brand of dijon mustard should I buy?
If you want to try making this recipe yourself, we recommend buying an organic, raw product rather than pre-made products that may contain preservatives.
You can find these online or in specialty markets across America. We found our favorite source here.
How Do You Make A Dijonnaise Sauce From Scratch?
You can buy premade dijon sauces, so why bother making them yourself?
There are several reasons you should give this homemade version a try though.
First, there’s an incredible array of flavors available in pre-made versions of this sauce (we like our own brand). Second, you get to control exactly how much sugar you add.
We suggest starting off with about half as much sugar as you think you might need because it will likely end up being too sweet once cooked down.
Finally, if you have some left over after using all the dijon, use it on sandwiches instead of mayo, dip bread into it, or put it on top of roasted potatoes.
Here’s what you’ll need to create the ultimate DIY dijonnaise sauce:
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons whole grain mustard
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 3 cups vegetable oil
- Freshly cracked black pepper
First things first, let’s talk about the ratio of ingredients to see if we can figure out how many parts per tablespoon each of these items actually is.
To get started, pour 2 ounces of water into a measuring cup then place the cup inside another larger container filled with 4 ounces of room temperature water.
Add 1 teaspoon of the dry mustard powder to the 2 ounce water and stir until dissolved.
You now know that 1 part of dry mustard equals 3 parts of liquid mustard.
Next, combine the remaining two liquids by adding the vinegar to the measuring cup containing the room temperature water.
Stir well until they are completely mixed together.
Pour the mixture back into the large bowl and mix thoroughly.
If you don’t want to measure everything individually, just dump everything in the mixing bowl until you reach the desired consistency.
If you want to take things even further, here are three ways you can customize your homemade dijonnaise sauce.
What Is The Best Way To Store Dijon Mustard?
You can find different types of mustard in stores like Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, Wal-Mart, Target, etc., so look around if you want to buy some.
But if you don’t feel like going out shopping, you can also go online to get mustard shipped directly to your door.
Most major grocery chains sell their own brands too (e.g., Hormel).
The thing about storing mustard is that, unlike other spices, its flavor starts degrading as soon as it leaves the jar.
So while most people recommend refrigerating it after opening, we actually think it’s better to keep it on ice until needed.
That means you should always have enough to cover your next meal when you open up the bottle.
If you are using it within three days, however, there isn’t much difference between keeping it refrigerated or freezing it.
You will lose less than 2% of its potency every time it freezes.
How Long Does Dijon Mustard Last Once Opened?
Dijon mustard can keep in an airtight container on a shelf for up to two months if you follow this method:
- Wash the jar well. Do not use metal lids as they will react badly with the acidity of the mustard.
- Put all the ingredients into the jar except the mustard seed and seal tightly using a lid. Make sure there are no gaps between the lid and the rim of the jar.
- Store in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight.
If you don’t mind a little moisture in your mustard then you can even keep it open indefinitely by adding water every few weeks until the mustard starts to separate out again – this only works when properly sealed so make sure you do not add any extra water after opening the bottle.
What Are Some Common Uses For Dijon Mustard?
So what can you use this spicy mustard for besides making a salad dressing?
Here are a couple ideas:
- Add it to marinades to give them a little extra kick
- Use it as a dipping sauce for french fries, chicken wings, or other finger foods
- Make a quick pickle by mixing together 1/4 cup of dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, and 3 cups of water in a small bowl until smooth. Add 6 cloves garlic and 2 teaspoons each of whole peppercorn and coriander seed (or more if desired). Let sit overnight then refrigerate for 24 hours before serving. Can also add sliced cucumber or green beans
- Sprinkle on top of roast beef sandwiches
- Mix into mashed potatoes
- Spread on grilled meats like steak or pork chops
- Add to any dip or spreadable cheese
- Stir into mayo for an instant creamy dressing
There are so many ways to incorporate this spicy mustard into different dishes.
If you have a favorite way to use it, we want to hear about it in the comments below.
We hope you enjoy using it as much as we enjoyed creating this article.
How Do You Make A Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette?
Here’s how you can easily create this classic French dressing without needing special equipment:
- Combine 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar and 1 teaspoon granulated sugar in a small bowl until dissolved.
- Add 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil slowly while whisking constantly until emulsified (this will take about 10 minutes). When fully incorporated, add 2 teaspoons dijon mustard.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
The best way to get the most out of this dressing is by using freshly squeezed lemon juice instead of regular white vinegar.
How to Make a Quick Homemade Mustard Sauce
This dressing also works well as an accompaniment to grilled meats like chicken breasts and fish steaks.
You could even use it on sandwiches if you want to avoid bread altogether.
What Are Some Good Dijon Mustard Substitutes?
When making a dijon mustard substitute, you can use any kind of mustard in place of the original.
If you don’t have access to a local grocery store selling prepared mustard, then you may need to buy a bottle online instead.
The key thing to remember when substituting is to choose an ingredient that will taste similar enough to the original dijon mustard so people know what they’re getting without having to ask too many questions.
If you want to go all out on the substitution, try using something like horseradish instead of the regular white wine vinegar used to flavor this classic French sauce.
- Horseradish – A common alternative to the traditional dijon mustard, this spicy condiment is often found as part of cocktail mixes at bars around town. Add some fresh grated horseradish along with a dash of lemon juice to a glass jar filled with olive oil, shake well, cover tightly, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Malt Vinegar – Also known as English mustard, malt vinegar is commonly used in salad dressings because its sourness pairs perfectly with other flavors. You can also add a teaspoon of brown sugar to plain white vinegar to create a sweet-and-spicy dressing for grilled chicken breasts.
- Mustard Powder – Mustard powder is another popular choice for homemade dijon mustards. Just combine water, honey, and mustard powder in a pan over medium heat until boiling point is reached and stir constantly until thickened.
What Is The Nutrition Information For Dijon Mustard?
In terms of nutritional value, there isn’t any special benefit from eating this condiment on its own.
However, if you use it as part of another meal, like in an appetizer salad dressing, then you will get more nutrients than you would by using it plain.
The biggest difference between the two options is how much fat they contain.
If you eat a small amount of dijon mustard, it only contains 1 gram of total fat per tablespoon (15 mL) while a similar serving size of a typical appetizer salad dressing may have up to 7 grams of fat per tablespoon (30 mL).
That means that you can enjoy a lot more salad dressings without worrying about adding too many calories.
Another thing to keep in mind when choosing which type of dijon mustard to buy is whether or not it contains added sugars.
While most brands do include them, some contain less sugar than others.
For example, Trader Joe’s brand includes 0 grams of added sugar per tablespoon (14 g), while other brands including Kraft may have 3-4 grams per tablespoon (18-22 g).
If you want to add flavor to your foods without increasing their calorie count, consider making homemade dijon mustard.
You can whip up a batch in no time flat and save money at the same time!
What Are Some Interesting Facts About Dijon Mustard?
The French have been making this spicy mustard sauce since the 13th century.
In fact, the first mention of “moutarde de Dijon” appeared in 1267 in an official document by King Louis IX.
He called it “the king’s mustard.”
In 1874, American chef Auguste Escoffier published his famous book on cooking which included the following recipe for mustard sauce:
- Take ½ cup white wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon salt, 2 teaspoons dry mustard, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more if desired), 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 cloves garlic crushed, 1 sprig thyme and 6 peppercorns and boil until reduced by half. Remove from heat, strain through cheesecloth and set aside.
It wasn’t long before Americans started adding their own twist to the basic formula.
They added horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, and other flavorings to create unique variations of the classic dijon mustard sauce.
Today, there are countless brands available including Grey Poupon, Yellow Mustard, Lea & Perrins, Muir Glen, and many others.
Most people agree that all versions taste very similar except perhaps Grey Poupon which tends to be slightly sweeter than most.
How Do You Make A Dijon Mustard Aiol
So what is this thing called a “mustard aioli?” Aioli is an emulsion created by combining oil (usually olive oil) with garlic, lemon juice, anchovy paste, and seasonings like cayenne pepper.
This particular version uses mustard as its primary flavor instead of garlic.
The first step in making this sauce is to combine all of the ingredients into a food processor until smooth.
Then transfer to a bowl and stir in 1/4 cup of mayo, which will help create stability when added to hot foods.
The last step is to add more salt and pepper if needed before serving on grilled meats or veggies.
You can also serve it over fish steaks or even use it as a dipping sauce.
If you want to get creative, try adding other spices like paprika, thyme, rosemary, or even curry powder.
Just keep in mind that while these additions might work really well together, they won’t necessarily taste great together.
So go ahead and experiment but always remember that less is often better than too much.
Now let’s take a look at how to make this delicious sauce.
- Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor until smooth.
- Transfer to a large bowl and stir in 1/4 cup of mayo.
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 finely minced garlic clove
- juice of ½ lemon
- salt
- ground white pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a medium-size bowl.
- Mix using a spoon or whisk until combined. . Adjust seasonings, cover, and chill until ready to use.
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My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.