Can You Substitute Dry Mustard for Prepared Mustard? (2024)

By

Danilo Alfaro

Can You Substitute Dry Mustard for Prepared Mustard? (1)

Danilo Alfaro has published more than 800 recipes and tutorials focused on making complicated culinary techniques approachable to home cooks.

Updated on 05/20/19

Trending Videos

Can You Substitute Dry Mustard for Prepared Mustard? (2)

It used to be that there were a very few mustards in common usage: the dry stuff and the ever-present yellow bottle of prepared mustard. Not anymore. It's not usual to have dozens of mustards on the supermarket shelves vying for your attention. But the ultimate decision is up to you. If your recipe calls for prepared mustard, AKA the wet stuff, you can substitute dry mustard, but only after you adjust the amount of mustard and add a bit of liquid.

The Basics

Ground up mustard seed is the main ingredient in prepared mustard. But a tablespoon of ground mustard is much hotter than a tablespoon of prepared mustard, which often includes other ingredients, such as vinegar, turmeric, paprika, salt, and garlic.

As a rule, use 1 teaspoon of dry mustard for each tablespoon of prepared mustard called for in your recipe. You also will need to use water or vinegar to make up for the lost liquid because of the swap of ground mustard for the prepared ingredient called for in your recipe.

For each teaspoon of ground mustard, include 2 teaspoons of liquid. If you use just water, your mustard will most likely be bitter. Try using a teaspoon of water and 1 teaspoon of vinegar. Even white distilled vinegar works, but a wine vinegar will cut some of the heat and pungency.

Stir your mixture into a paste in a nonmetallic bowl and let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. The acid in the vinegar helps to mellow out the heat of the mustard.

You could also add a teaspoon of sugar or less, depending on your taste, or sweeten your homemade prepared mustard with honey.

Increasing the Content

If you need more than a tablespoon of mustard, combine the following ingredients in a nonmetallic bowl. Avoid the metal because it may interact with your ingredients and leave an unpleasant aftertaste.

  • 4 teaspoons mustard powder
  • 1 tablespoonwater
  • 1 tablespoonwhite wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1/4 teaspoonsalt

Stir the mixture into a paste and let it sit for about an hour. It will make about 1/4 cup.

Take Time to Experiment

Note that while these techniques will function in a pinch, they are only mustard shortcuts. The best homemade mustard starts with whole mustard seeds. You can find fresh mustard seeds at major groceries, and until the seeds are ground, they will last far longer than store-bought prepared mustard.

You can spice up your ground mustard by adding herbs or spices to your mustard seeds and grinding the entire concoction in a coffee grinder or using a mortar and pestle. You will still need a liquid to make the prepared mustard, though. Swap out wine for water for a creamy Dijon.

If you want more heat in your mustard, add a pinch of wasabi or horseradish root. Really, the flavor you want is up to you.

If you're still a bit timid about creating your own mustard recipes, here's a simple recipe for homemade Dijon-style mustard.

Can You Substitute Dry Mustard for Prepared Mustard? (2024)

FAQs

Can You Substitute Dry Mustard for Prepared Mustard? ›

When a recipe calls for prepared mustard, use 1 teaspoon dry mustard (ground mustard) for 1 tablespoon prepared mustard, and add the same amount of water or vinegar to make up for the missing liquid.

Can I use dry mustard instead of prepared mustard? ›

As a rule, use 1 teaspoon of dry mustard for each tablespoon of prepared mustard called for in your recipe. You also will need to use water or vinegar to make up for the lost liquid because of the swap of ground mustard for the prepared ingredient called for in your recipe.

How much prepared mustard equals 1 teaspoon dry mustard? ›

Each will help add mustard-like flavor to your recipe. Prepared mustard: For 1 teaspoon dry mustard, substitute 1 tablespoon prepared mustard for cooking mixtures.

How do you replace mustard in a recipe? ›

Luckily, there are a handful of flavorful mustard substitutes to choose from.
  1. Worcestershire sauce. Goskova Tatiana/Shutterstock. ...
  2. Turmeric. Madeleine Steinbach/Shutterstock. ...
  3. Horseradish. Murziknata/Getty Images. ...
  4. Wasabi. sasazawa/Shutterstock. ...
  5. Sriracha. calimedia/Shutterstock. ...
  6. Chipotle. ...
  7. Egg yolks. ...
  8. French four spice powder.
Jul 28, 2023

Can you substitute dry mustard for mustard seed in pickles? ›

Everything you'll need to make this mustard pickles recipe.

Ground mustard is made from mustard seeds ground into a fine powder. While it may sound similar, you do not want to use dry mustard in this recipe.

Why use dry mustard in recipes? ›

When added to sauces, dressings, rubs, and marinades, it adds depth and complexity to the flavors. In small quantities, it can enhance the natural taste of food, while in more significant amounts, it can dominate and overpower other flavors.

Does dried mustard taste like mustard? ›

Dry mustard powder is made from ground mustard seeds. Dry mustard by itself has no flavor or taste. It must be combined with water to release the essential oil which gives it flavor.

What can I substitute for 1 tablespoon of dry mustard? ›

The best substitute for dry mustard is prepared Dijon mustard! Use 1 teaspoon dry mustard = 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard. This substitution works for most types of recipes.

Does dry mustard go bad? ›

Mustard powder can be consumed indefinitely if stored correctly, but its potency in terms of taste and freshness may diminish over time. The quality of expired mustard powder will degrade gradually, so using it as close to the best-before date as possible is advisable for optimal flavor.

Why is my homemade mustard bitter? ›

Serious Eats reports "raw mustard seeds have a face-warping bitter quality that tastes like it'll scare any illnesses right out of you", adding that it takes two to three days for this bitterness to subside before using.

How do you counteract mustard in a recipe? ›

Mustard brings spice, salt and acid. Sweet balances those flavors. Or add freshness with minced parsley to balance it. Depending on the nature of the sauce, you could add a bit of honey or dilute the mustardy sauce with apple juice or apple sauce and cook it down.

What can I substitute for mustard in deviled eggs? ›

This recipe for Deviled Eggs Without Mustard tastes just like classic deviled eggs but with apple cider vinegar in place of dijon mustard. They're a creamy, delicious appetizer everyone should try!

Is mustard the same as mustard powder? ›

Ground mustard is just ground up mustard seeds. This can be accomplished with a food processor or coffee grinder. All of the ground mustards we carry are of this style of grind. A mustard powder is much more finely ground than your ground mustard would be.

What's the difference between dry mustard and prepared mustard? ›

There's a major difference between dry mustard and regular mustard: While both are made from ground mustard seeds, prepared mustard (like yellow and Dijon) also contains liquids like vinegar and water to create the wet mustard you probably recognize from your burger toppings.

What is the smallest seed on Earth? ›

Mustard seeds are the small round seeds of various mustard plants. The seeds are usually about 1 to 2 millimetres (1⁄32 to 3⁄32 in) in diameter and may be colored from yellowish white to black.

What does the Bible say about mustard seeds? ›

Matthew 13:31-21 “He told them another parable: the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

When a recipe calls for mustard? ›

When a recipe calls for prepared mustard, it's referring to the condiment, not mustard seeds or dry mustard powder. If the type of prepared mustard isn't specified, you can use any savory mustard you have on hand: yellow, brown or Dijon.

Can you substitute ground mustard for mustard seeds in a recipe? ›

There are a number of mustard seed substitutes you can use whenever you're in a pinch, including: Ground Mustard. Ground mustard has a hotter flavor than mustard seed but can easily be used as a replacement. Start with a pinch and taste as you go.

Can I use regular mustard instead of whole grain mustard? ›

For those seeking a milder flavor, yellow mustard is a viable option. Although it is less spicy, it can be used in a pinch to replicate the tanginess of whole grain mustard in marinades and dips.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Arielle Torp

Last Updated:

Views: 6050

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Arielle Torp

Birthday: 1997-09-20

Address: 87313 Erdman Vista, North Dustinborough, WA 37563

Phone: +97216742823598

Job: Central Technology Officer

Hobby: Taekwondo, Macrame, Foreign language learning, Kite flying, Cooking, Skiing, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Arielle Torp, I am a comfortable, kind, zealous, lovely, jolly, colorful, adventurous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.