Made with simple ingredients and free from refined sugars and additives, this Creamy Mustard Sauce is sweet, spicy, and super versatile. Whip it up in minutes, and keep it on hand for fish, chicken, veggies, and more! Vegan Option.
The Best Condiment for Every Meal!
Are you a condiment person? I think they’re a great way to elevate any dish from good to great. From spicy vegan ranch, to roasted red pepper sauce, homemade sweet and sour sauce, and everything in between – I love them all! There are a few recipes I try to keep on hand at all times, and dairy-free mustard sauce is one of them!
My favorite ways to use this sauce are with pork, salmon, and chicken. However, it also makes a great dip for veggie snack platters! Trust me, one taste, and you’ll never buy a pre-made mustard sauce again!
Ingredients and Substitutions
Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions to make this mustard sauce sauce recipe! Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete ingredients and instructions.
- Mayo: Use real mayonnaise for a classic creamy base. Start with ½ cup and adjust for texture and flavor.
For a vegan or egg-free option, swap it with plain creamy hummus.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds tang and depth. Stick with Dijon for the smoothest texture and sharp bite.
- Onion Powder: Be sure it’s onion powder—not onion salt—to avoid oversalting the dressing. This adds subtle savory flavor without being overpowering.
- Sweet Paprika: Gives the dressing a warm color and slight sweetness. You can sub with regular paprika in a pinch, but it may have a smokier or more neutral taste depending on the brand.
- Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and helps balance the richness of the mayo or hummus. Fresh-squeezed is best for flavor.
- Ground Mustard (Optional): This acts as a natural emulsifier, which means it helps blend oil and mayo/hummus together smoothly while adding a mild sharpness.
- Olive Oil: Use extra virgin olive oil for a richer flavor and silkier texture. Drizzle in slowly while blending or whisking to help emulsify.
- Dried Herbs (Optional): Herbs like chives, parsley, or dill add fresh flavor. Feel free to mix and match depending on your taste or what you have on hand.
- Honey: Just a tablespoon or two of honey or agave nectar gives this dressing a touch of natural sweetness. If using hummus as the base, the sweetener really balances things out.
- Salt & Pepper: I prefer Kosher salt because it’s less processed and easier to pinch and measure. Freshly cracked black pepper adds a little bite to finish it off.
How to Make Creamy Mustard Sauce
You can prepare this sauce two ways; with a food processor or by hand.
Blender or Food Processor Method
- Combine. Add all of the ingredients (minus the olive oil) to the bowl of a food processor.
- Drizzle. With the machine running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil to help the mixture emulsify and achieve a smooth, creamy texture. Pause as needed to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is fully incorporated.
- Taste. Once blended, taste and adjust the seasoning—add more salt, pepper, or sweetener if desired. If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can blend in additional mayonnaise or hummus at this stage
Note: If using hummus, your mustard sauce will be thicker. Add more olive oil until the desired consistency is reached. Or make your own hummus! Just omit the sugar and adjust thickness as desired.
Whisk-by-Hand Method
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except the olive oil. While whisking continuously, slowly pour in the olive oil in a steady stream. This will help the dressing emulsify and thicken properly.
- After whisking, adjust the seasonings and texture to your preference. Add more salt, sweetener, or mayo/hummus if needed to balance the flavor and consistency.
More of Our Favorite
Ways to Use Creamy Mustard Sauce
- Use mustard sauce for salmon with recipes like Maple Dijon Salmon
- Use mustard sauce for chicken as a dip for chicken tenders or a marinade for Honey Mustard Chicken
- Use mustard sauce for pork as a dip or glaze
- Use mustard sauce as a dressing for recipes like Brussels Sprouts Salad
Difference Between Dijon & Regular Mustard
Although they are both made from mustard seeds, Dijon and Yellow mustard sauces look and taste completely different.
For instance, Dijon mustard is a French mustard variation that has a much lighter color than standard Yellow mustard and a creamy texture. It’s made with spicy brown and black mustard seeds and has significantly less vinegar than Yellow varieties. As a result, Dijon mustard has a spicier taste and is used to create glazes, spreads, and more.
Meanwhile, Yellow mustard (also known as American mustard) has a bright yellow color and tangy taste. It’s made with white and yellow mustard seeds and is most commonly used as a condiment on sandwiches and burgers.
Common Questions
Store your mustard sauce in an airtight container or covered in a bowl for up to 7 days.
I haven’t tested this mustard sauce recipe with a flavored hummus, but it would work just as well. Just be careful to choose a hummus that doesn’t overpower the rest of the ingredients!
I do not recommend using a yellow mustard to replace the Dijon, because it has a completely different flavor profile.
Creamy Mustard Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Quick, creamy, and delicious, this mustard sauce recipe comes together in 5 minutes or less for the only condiment you’ll ever need! Use it as a dip, marinade, and more!
Ingredients
- ½ cup up to ⅔ cup real mayo or creamy hummus (adjust to desired thickness)
- ¼ cup dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon sweet paprika, to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Optional: ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Optional: 1 teaspoon dried herbs (chives, parsley, dill, etc.)
- 1–2 Tablespoons honey or agave nectar
- Kosher salt to taste
- Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
Blender or Food Processor Method:
- In the bowl of a food processor or blender, combine mayo or hummus, Dijon mustard, onion powder, paprika, lemon juice, honey/agave, and any optional herbs or spices. Note – It’s best to start with ½ cup mayo or hummus and add more after blending and tasting, if desired.
- With the machine running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture emulsifies and becomes creamy. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or sweetener. Add more mayo/hummus if you prefer a thicker texture.
- Blend again briefly to fully incorporate.
Whisk-by-Hand Method:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients except olive oil.
- While whisking continuously, slowly pour in olive oil to emulsify and thicken.
- Adjust seasonings and consistency as needed.
Notes
Storage- Store in an airtight container or glass jar in the fridge for up to 7 days. Stir before using if it separates slightly.
Texture tip – For a thinner consistency, add more oil.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Sauces
- Method: blender
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 61
- Sugar: 1.1 g
- Sodium: 147.6 mg
- Fat: 5.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.7 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
This elevated my sandwich to all new levels…this is my new favorite.
Oh great idea on sandwich! Glad it worked out
Such a perfect recipe for mustard! Thanks for sharing! Saving this!
Amazing! I used hummus and it was delicious. I will definitely make it again!
so glad! Thanks for feedback Renee!