Simple Mustard Recipe With Variations

By
Leda Meredith
Leda Meredith
Leda Meredith
Leda Meredith is a food writer and certified botanist who has written five books on foraging and preserving food.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 03/11/21
Simple Mustard Recipe With Variations

The Spruce  

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Wait Time: 48 hrs
Total: 48 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Yield: 1/2 cup

At its most basic, the condiment we call mustard, also called "prepared mustard," is just the seeds of the mustard plant plus water. Adding vinegar or another acid preserves the spiciness. Without it, the mustard becomes bland with time.

In this basic recipe, a little salt has been added for flavor. A mix of powdered and whole mustard seeds is included for texture.

When mustard seeds are broken (lightly crushed or ground to a fine powder) and exposed to liquid, a reaction takes place that results in the spicy, hot taste of the condiment.

In this mustard recipe and its variations, keep in mind that black mustard seeds are the hottest variety, and that starting out with cold liquid results in a hotter taste than if you use a warm liquid. So, if you like your mustard hot, use black mustard seeds and cold liquid. For a milder flavor, stick to yellow (sometimes called white) mustard seeds and use warm liquid.

Use as a condiment for your sandwiches, in your glaze for making salmon, or in your glaze for ham and enjoy!

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons brown or black whole mustard seeds

  • 1/4 cup ground mustard powder

  • 3/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 cup water

  • 4 teaspoons apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for basic mustard recipe
    The Spruce

  2. Grind the seeds in a spice grinder for 15 seconds. You don't want to completely reduce the seeds to a powder—they should still be mostly whole but just a little bit crushed. Alternatively, have at it with a mortar and pestle.

    Mustard seeds in a spice grinder
    The Spruce

  3. Combine the slightly crushed seeds, mustard powder, and salt in a small bowl. Stir to mix the dry ingredients.

    Crushed seeds, mustard powder, and salt in a bowl
    The Spruce

  4. Mix in the wet ingredients. The mustard may seem soupy at this stage. Don't worry—it will thicken up as the mustard seeds and powder absorb the liquids.

    Mixing mustard ingredients in a bowl
    The Spruce

  5. Cover and store at room temperature for 2 days before using. This wait time is important, and not just because it allows time for the mustard to thicken up. Freshly made mustard has a harsh, bitter taste. That bitterness mellows as the mustard ages.

    Mustard covered with plastic wrap
    The Spruce 

  6. After the 2-day wait, transfer the mustard to a clean glass jar(s). Cover tightly.

    Mustard in jar
    The Spruce

Tip

  • Be patient and let your mustard sit for the 2-day waiting period to try it out. Otherwise, it will be bitter and not pleasant to taste.
  • Mustard will keep in the refrigerator for at least 4 months. For longer storage at room temperature, using 1/4 or 1/2-pint canning jars and lids and process them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

Recipe Variations

  • Spicy Beer Mustard: Use cold beer instead of the water and add 1 teaspoon of honey.
  • White Wine and Tarragon Mustard: Use white wine instead of the water. Use tarragon vinegar or another herbal vinegar instead of the plain kind. Or use plain cider or wine vinegar, but add 1 to 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh tarragon or ​another herb.
  • Honey Mustard: Add 2 tablespoons honey to the basic recipe.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
24 Calories
2g Fat
1g Carbs
1g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 24
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 2%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 199mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg 2%
Calcium 13mg 1%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 36mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags: