How to Make Homemade Mustard

What’s a hot dog without tangy yellow mustard?
Homemade mustard is easier to make than you might think. Keep reading for three simple homemade mustard recipes that you can choose from and enjoy.
Mustard isn’t quite so high up on the list when it comes to America’s favorite condiments. And, if you were wondering, according to a Fix Hot Sauce infographic, Sriracha is currently the most loved condiment in the country, surpassing ketchup for the first time in 2013. However, ketchup is still holding strong at number 2.
Even though mustard isn’t in the top two, it’s still one of the most versatile condiments there are. Mustard is used in such a wide range of things. Put it in BBQ sauce, potato salad, salad dressings, chicken seasoning, casseroles, ham glazes, crispy potatoes… the list goes on and on.
Since mustard is such a well-rounded and useful condiment, why not learn how to make homemade mustard yourself?
What are the Different Types of Mustard?

You probably have already realized that there are a bunch of different types of mustards out there. There’s the classic Heinz yellow mustard, there’s the fancy Dijon mustard, and there’s honey mustard, too. All of them are made slightly different, leading to each of their unique flavors.
First up, let’s talk about how mustard is made. Mustard comes from a beautiful yellow flowering plant, simply called a mustard plant. Its seeds are small, spherical, and come in different shades of yellows and browns.

Fun Fact: 85% of all mustard seeds in the world are grown in just Canada, Montana, and North Dakota!
These seeds can be ground up into mustard powder. Mustard powder can of course be used as a stand-alone spice, but can also be mixed with water, wine, or vinegar, which creates the condiment we know and love.
Mustard seeds come in a range of shades, and the darker seeds will have a stronger, more pungent flavor than the lighter seeds. So, using darker seeds and a stronger liquid when creating mustard will result in spicier mustard. On the other hand, using lighter mustard seeds and water will lead to milder mustard.
How to Make Homemade Classic Yellow Mustard –

Compared to other popular mustards, yellow mustard is much milder. It’s mustard that everyone — young and old — can get behind. Here’s how to make your own yellow mustard.
To make one cup of yellow mustard, you will need…
- ½ cup of water
- ¾ cup of yellow mustard seeds (or 10 tablespoons ground mustard powder)
- ½ cup of white distilled vinegar
- ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, or more to taste
- A large pinch of garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon turmeric
- ⅛ teaspoon paprika
Step 1 – Make ground mustard powder. Toast the mustard seeds on a hot skillet for about half a minute. Then, grind them in a blender or spice grinder. Once they are ground into a powder, pass them through a sieve to get out any hulls or clumps.
If you are using premade ground mustard powder, then you can skip this step.
Step 2 – Combine ingredients. In a saucepan over medium heat on the stove, pour in the water, ground mustard, salt, garlic powder, turmeric, and paprika. Whisk every few minutes to keep ingredients from clumping. Let this bubble and simmer. This can take about 30-40 minutes.
Step 3 – Add in the vinegar. Pour in the vinegar and whisk well. Now, let your mustard cook until it has your desired consistency. This can take another 10-20 minutes.
Step 4 – Pour into a bowl. Once the mustard is in a bowl, let it sit until it is room temperature. Then, bottle it and store it in your fridge for up to 3 months.
How to Make Homemade Dijon Mustard –

Dijon mustard originated in France, as you might be able to tell from its name. It’s paler in color than classic yellow mustard and is less acidic because it is made with less vinegar. However, since Dijon mustard is made with darker mustard seeds, it has a spicier flavor.
To make 1 cup of Dijon mustard, you will need…
- ½ cup of water
- ¾ cup of dark mustard seeds (or 10 tablespoons ground mustard powder)
- ⅓ cup white distilled vinegar
- ¼ cup white wine
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
- ½ teaspoon pepper, or more to taste
- 1 tablespoon shallot, minced
Step 1 – Make ground mustard powder. Toast the mustard seeds on a hot skillet for about half a minute. Then, grind them in a blender or spice grinder. Once they are ground into a powder, pass them through a sieve to get out any hulls or clumps.
If you are using premade ground mustard powder, then you can skip this step.
Step 2 – Combine ingredients. In a saucepan over medium heat on the stove, pour in the water, ground mustard, vinegar, wine, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and shallot. Whisk this mixture every few minutes. Let it cook for about 30-40 minutes.
Step 3 – Strain. Pour the mixture through a sieve to separate the minced shallots and any other chunks from the liquid mustard. Then, put the mixture back into the saucepan and let it cook for another 10 minutes, whisking frequently.
Step 4 – Pour into a bowl. Once the mustard is in a bowl, let this sit until it is room temperature. Then, bottle it and store it in your fridge for up to 3 months.
How to Make Homemade Honey Mustard –

This is definitely a fan favorite mustard. It’s great mustard for kids, and a very popular dipping sauce for fries and chicken nuggets. If you’re craving something sweet, and don’t want to go all-out, having a bit of honey mustard with your sandwich and sides is the way to go.
To make 1 cup of honey mustard, you will need…
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 ⅓ tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 ⅓ tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 ⅓ tablespoon white distilled vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon paprika
- A pinch of salt
- A crank of pepper
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
Step 1 – Combine all ingredients. Pour all of the ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Then, bottle it and store it in your fridge for up to 3 months.
Those are three simple mustard recipes that are sure to keep you busy for a few days. If you want to get your kids to enjoy mustard, get them involved in the mustard making process! They’ll especially enjoy the honey mustard recipe since it’s so quick to make, and so yummy!
Interested in learning how to make your own ketchup or mayonnaise? Make sure to check out our other condiment recipes.
Wait! There’s More
For some extra fun, why not put your mustard into a classic mustard bottle? There are some great ones on Amazon that I’d recommend.
First up, the TableCraft 2-Piece Ketchup and Mustard Dispenser Set

If you want something even more fun, try these:
The TableCraft 3-Piece Nostalgia Squeeze Bottle Set
