This homemade Honey Mustard Sauce is easy to make with only 5 ingredients in just 5 minutes. Perfectly creamy and tangy-sweet, it’s the ultimate dipping sauce, salad dressing, marinade, or burger topping to pair with a wide range of meals.
As a self-proclaimed “sauce guy,” I always have a rotation of homemade condiments in our fridge. It doesn’t get much more classic than my Homemade Ketchup recipe, although I’m also a huge fan of my fancier mustard-forward sauces, like Dijon Cream Sauce and Mustard Sauce. I always prefer homemade sauces over store-bought because they’re surprisingly easy to make with everyday ingredients and always save me from a last-minute trip to the grocery store.
Honey Mustard Sauce Recipe
A delicious honey mustard sauce is all about balance—sweet from the honey, tangy from the mustard, and creamy enough to coat, dip, or drizzle on just about anything. You’ve likely had a version at a restaurant or from a store-bought bottle, but there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of making it from scratch. You’re in complete control of the balance of flavors, which ultimately leads to a fresher and bolder condiment.
If you’re new to making honey mustard, this recipe is a great place to start. It’s easy to make with a handful of pantry staples that stay true to the tangy-sweet flavor, while a few creative additions bring just the right amount of zip and creaminess to keep things interesting. The result? A smooth, golden, glossy, and just plain delicious sauce that doubles as a dip, spread, dressing, or marinade.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Mayonnaise – Full-fat mayo makes all the difference in richness, creaminess, and tang. I prefer to use homemade mayo, but a high-quality, store-bought brand is fine.
- Mustards – I used both yellow mustard and Dijon mustard in this recipe. Classic yellow mustard brings a sharp, vinegary tang that cuts through the richness of the mayo and honey. The Dijon adds depth and a smoother, more sophisticated heat. If you don’t have Dijon mustard, you can use all-yellow mustard instead or use spicy brown mustard as a substitute.
- Honey – It balances the tang and gives the sauce its signature sweetness. I recommend using a mild-flavored honey, such as clover or wildflower honey, to prevent it from overpowering the other ingredients.
- Vinegar – I add a splash of white distilled vinegar for a clean, neutral tang. Apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or even rice vinegar can serve as substitutes, but they may slightly alter the flavor profile.
- Seasonings – You can add a little sprinkle of cayenne for some color and spice.
How to Make Honey Mustard Sauce
Emulsify: First, I add the sauce ingredients to a medium bowl and whisk them together until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy.
Adjust: At this point, I season the sauce with salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper (optional) to taste. I’ll either serve the sauce right away or keep it in the fridge for later.
Chef Tips + Notes
The most important thing to remember when making this honey mustard dipping sauce is to use the highest-quality ingredients available to you. All of the flavors from the handful of ingredients are on display here, so there’s nowhere to hide.
- Adjust the consistency: As-is, this recipe yields a spoonable honey mustard sauce that works perfectly as a dipping sauce or a spread for sandwiches or burgers. If you plan on using it as a salad dressing, whisk in a splash of water or a little extra vinegar until it’s pourable and silky.
- Taste and tweak: I always recommend tasting the sauce before adding salt, as some mayo and mustard brands are already fairly salty on their own. If it tastes too sweet, add more vinegar or mustard to balance the flavor. If it’s too sharp, an extra drizzle of honey can help mellow it out.
- Whisk it well: Whisking the honey mustard ingredients until you’re left with a completely smooth and emulsified sauce is key for blending the flavors and achieving a luxurious consistency. If you’re making a larger batch, you can combine the ingredients in a small blender or food processor.
- Adjust the taste with flavor boosters: Once you’ve nailed the base of the sauce, feel free to experiment with the flavors using your preferred add-ins. Try adding fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or tarragon; 1 to 2 teaspoons of horseradish, hot sauce, or cayenne for heat; or a pinch of smoked paprika or smoked salt for a smoky note.
Serving Suggestions
Honey mustard is my favorite dipping sauce for crispy chicken tenders and French fries. The tangy creaminess complements most homemade fast food-style meals so well.
At parties, I’ll spoon the sauce into a small bowl and surround it with raw veggies, sliced apples, soft pretzels, cured meats, and cheese cubes on a charcuterie board.
Do you have extra sauce you need to use up? Stir a spoonful into a batch of creamy coleslaw or a potato salad for the perfect balance of sweet and tangy richness.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: I recommend making the sauce at least 30 minutes before serving to give the flavors time to meld together. Chill it in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.
How to Store: Store the leftover honey mustard sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Just give it a good stir before using it.
More Homemade Condiment Recipes
Honey Mustard Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup yellow mustard
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 teaspoons white distilled vinegar
- coarse salt and cayenne pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a bowl.
- Whisk together all the ingredients and, if desired, season with salt and cayenne pepper.
Honey Mustard Recipe