The BEST Substitutes for Dijon Mustard

All out of Dijon? Or just don't like it?

Whatever has you on the search for the best alternatives to Dijon, you'll find plenty of options here, as well as tips for how to use them in your recipes.

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If you need a great substitute for Dijon mustard, you're sure to find something in this list that will help you out.

Whether you need something to put on your roast beef sandwich, mix into a salad dressing, or glaze your ham, these are the best substitutes for Dijon mustard.

What is Dijon Mustard Made Of?

Dijon is a smooth and creamy condiment made from brown and/or black mustard seeds and white wine.

It has a pale yellow color and a bright, sharp flavor. Dijon is a French style mustard that originated in Dijon, France and may be best known by its most famous brand, Grey Poupon.

Dijon mustard is a delicious spread on sandwiches, hot dogs, and hamburgers or mixed into salad dressings, sauces, and rubs.

Dijon mustard vs. yellow mustard

Dijon and yellow mustard are the two most common types of mustard in American fridges. And while the two can be used interchangeably in many cases, they are quite different.

Yellow mustard is a type of mustard made from yellow mustard seeds, vinegar, and water. And that yellow color? That comes from turmeric. Its tart and tangy flavor makes it an excellent condiment on burgers and dogs.

Dijon mustard is made from brown mustard seeds and white wine - which both contribute to Dijon's spicy flavor and slight kick. You see, brown mustard seeds are hotter than yellow mustard seeds, and white wine is less acidic than vinegar. Acid slows the reaction of heat, so since Dijon has less vinegar, it has more heat.

But there's one more way Dijon and yellow mustard are different. Dijon mustard is an excellent emulsifier in salad dressings.

The reason has to do with something called mucilage, the outer layer of a mustard seed, which contains properties that help create a stable emulsion.

Because Dijon has more mucilage than yellow mustard, it's a great stabilizer for dressings and vinaigrettes.

Uses for Dijon Mustard

Dijon mustard is a veritable multi-tool in the kitchen because it can be used in so many things. I always try to have a bottle in my fridge because Dijon is great for:

Hotdogs and hamburgers
Sandwich spreads
Deviled eggs
Vinaigrettes for green salads
Coleslaw, potato salad, and other creamy salad dressings
Dips for veggies, chicken fingers, French fries, and pretzels
Marinades and sauces for fish, chicken, pork, and beef
Casseroles and mac and cheese
Glazes for ham or vegetables
Rubs on roasts and grilled meats

Best Substitutes for Dijon Mustard

The very best substitute for Dijon is stone ground mustard.

But there are many other great options that will also work well. Which one you choose will depend on the spiciness, texture, and creaminess you're after, and how you're going to use it.

1. Stone-Ground Mustard

🏆Best substitute for Dijon mustard in dressings, marinades, sandwiches, and with meats

Stone ground mustard is the best Dijon mustard substitute for most uses because the flavors are very similar. It is made from brown and black mustard seeds, but because the seeds are only partially ground, it has a milder flavor than Dijon.

Stone ground mustard is an excellent emulsifier, making it the ideal Dijon alternative in dressings and marinades. It is also the perfect accompaniment to sandwiches and meats.

The greatest difference is in the texture. Stone ground mustard contains partially ground mustard seeds, so it isn't as smooth as Dijon.

✔️ Use a 1:1 ratio to substitute stone ground mustard for Dijon.

2. Whole Grain Mustard

🏆Best substitute for Dijon as an emulsifier in dressings and marinades

Whole grain mustard contains whole brown and black seeds and wine and has a flavor profile that is very similar to Dijon. But since the whole mustard seeds have been ground just enough to form a paste, there is a coarse texture to whole grain mustard.

Whole grain mustard is a preferred alternative to Dijon as an emulsifier in dressings and vinaigrettes, but it is also delicious on sandwiches and charcuterie

✔️If you're on board for the textural differences, whole grain mustard is a great alternative to Dijon in all uses at a 1:1 ratio.

3. Yellow Mustard

🏆Best substitute for Dijon in deviled eggs, potato salad, egg salad, and in creamy sauces, dressings and marinades

Yellow mustard is a classic all-American favorite for ballpark dogs, backyard burgers, and deli sandwiches. So it's a good alternative to Dijon for any of these uses.

Yellow mustard is also excellent in creamy dressings for potato salad, egg salad, chicken salad, and in deviled eggs. The bright, tangy flavor of yellow mustard adds a nice zip and will blend well into a creamy dressing.

✔️Substitute yellow mustard for Dijon at a 1:1 ratio.

4. Spicy Brown Mustard

🏆Best substitute for Dijon mustard on sandwiches and in creamy dressings, sauces, and marinades.

You might know spicy brown mustard as "deli mustard" because it tastes so darned good with deli sandwiches like pastrami and roast beef, as well as sausages and kielbasa.

Spicy brown mustard is made from brown mustard seeds and has a nice little kick. It has a slightly coarse texture because the bran is left on the seeds, which don't fully break down during processing. Additional spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg are also commonly found in spicy brown mustard, giving it a warm, earthy flavor.

Spicy brown mustard is an excellent substitute for Dijon in cooking, on sandwiches, and in creamy dressings and marinades.

✔️ Because spicy brown mustard has a more intense flavor than Dijon, adjust the ratio down a bit. Taste as you go to ensure you get the flavor you like.

spoon with hot English mustard dripping into glass jar

5. Hot English Mustard

🏆Best substitute for Dijon as a condiment, on sandwiches, and in meat rubs, sauces and marinades

Hot English mustard is made from yellow and brown mustard seeds and turmeric. It gets its spicy flavor from the brown mustard seeds, but the yellow ones tone it down.

Some say it's like a cross between yellow mustard and Dijon, but spicier.

Hot English mustard is delicious as a Dijon alternative as a sandwich spread, paired with roast meats, and in sauces and marinades.

✔️ When using hot English mustard as a substitute for Dijon, use less because the flavor is more intense.

6. Wasabi

🏆Best alternative to Dijon on sandwiches and as a spicy element in recipes

Wasabi is Japanese horseradish, perhaps best known for gracing sushi platters. Wasabi has a lot of heat, which makes it a natural substitute for Dijon when you're looking for something a little bit spicy.

Not only is Wasabi hotter than Dijon, but it also lacks that creamy quality. If you're after the smooth texture, too, you can mix wasabi with a little sour cream or mayo.

✔️ As an alternative to Dijon, use a small amount of wasabi, as the heat is much more intense.

7. Honey Mustard

🏆Best substitute for Dijon in dips and dressings

Honey mustard is often made from equal parts mustard, honey, and mayonnaise, so it's much sweeter than Dijon mustard.

But it still has that mustard tang, which makes it a very good Dijon mustard substitute in dips, salad dressings, sauces for vegetables and meats, and on sandwiches.

And if you're looking for a kid-friendly substitute for Dijon, honey mustard is it!

✔️ Use honey mustard as a substitute for Dijon on a 1:1 ratio, or adjust it down if the sweetness will alter the flavor of your recipe too much.

8. Horseradish Sauce

🏆Best substitute for Dijon in dips, sauces, and meat rubs

Horseradish is a good substitute for Dijon mustard because it's actually in the same family. While the strong flavor of horseradish is noticeably more pungent than Dijon, its bold flavor pairs beautifully with meat dishes.

Horseradish is a great ingredient in dips, sauces, and meat rubs. To mellow out the flavor of horseradish, and get a creamier texture, mix it with sour cream.

✔️ Horseradish can be used 1:1 as a Dijon mustard replacement.

9. Mayonnaise

🏆Best substitute for Dijon in creamy dressings, vinaigrettes, sandwich spreads, and dips

Mayonnaise is a great alternative to Dijon if you're looking for something with the tangy zip of mustard, but without the heat.

Because mayonnaise has a sweet, slightly acidic taste, and a creamy texture, it's a smart swap in dips, marinades, creamy dressings, and spreads for sandwiches, hotdogs, and burgers.

To add a little more tang to the mayonnaise, stir in a little bit of Worcestershire sauce.

✔️ Substitute mayonnaise for Dijon on a 1:1 ratio.

10. German Mustard

🏆 Best substitute for Dijon on brats, hotdogs, grilled meats, and soft pretzels.

There are many types of German mustard that range from sweet to spicy and smooth to coarse.

German mustards that are on the spicier side, like Mittlescharfer and Scharfer Senf, are made with brown mustard seeds and offer varying levels of heat.

German mustards are perfect substitutes for Dijon with grilled meats, sausages, hotdogs, brats, and of course - pretzels!

✔️ Substitute German mustard for Dijon on a 1:1 ratio.

11. Dry Mustard

🏆Best substitute for Dijon in meat rubs (powder) and in creamy dressings, dips, and sauces

If all you have is dry mustard in your spice cabinet, you're in luck. You can definitely use it. After all, it's just dried ground up mustard seeds.

If you use dry mustard in its powdered form, it won't have the same pungency as Dijon. However, you can use it to make your own prepared mustard.

Just mix one teaspoon of dried mustard with 1 teaspoon of water and 1 teaspoon of white wine vinegar and let it sit for about 30 minutes to get some of that flavor you're after.

In its powdered form, you can use dry mustard as a Dijon substitute in meat rubs. To use it as a creamy component, prepare it with wine vinegar, then stir in a little mayonnaise.

✔️ One teaspoon of dry mustard is equal to one tablespoon of prepared mustard. Substitute prepared dry mustard 1:1 for Dijon mustard.

Dijon Mustard FAQs

Can you make Dijon mustard with regular mustard?

No, not really. You can, however, make something that kind of mimics the flavor and texture of Dijon mustard by mixing yellow mustard with a little mayonnaise.

Is Dijon mustard spicy?

Dijon mustard is a little spicy, but it depends on the brand you buy. Because Dijon is made with the spicier mustard seeds (brown) and wine instead of vinegar (which tones down heat), it is inherently spicier than yellow mustard.

Is Dijon mustard grainy?

Dijon mustard is smooth and creamy, however, you can buy country Dijon mustard, which incorporates coarsely ground seeds giving it a rustic, grainy texture.