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Honey Mustard Dressing is the sweet, tangy, creamy dressing that makes salads and dipping irresistible, with honey, two kinds of mustard, and a little lemon whisked together in minutes. I keep a jar in the fridge *all the time* because my kids will eat almost any veggie if there is honey mustard to dip it in. If you love an easy homemade dressing, this one is right up there with our poppy seed dressing.
It comes together in one bowl with six pantry ingredients, so you can skip the bottled stuff and its long ingredient list.
Honey Mustard Dressing Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: No cook
- ⏳ Total Time: 20 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 0.67 cups
- ⚡ Calories: 828kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Sweet, tangy, and creamy with honey, dijon, and grainy mustard
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, as simple as our apple cider vinegar dressing
Quick Answer
To make honey mustard dressing, whisk together honey, grainy mustard, dijon mustard, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and garlic powder in a small bowl until smooth. Chill it for 10 to 15 minutes before serving so the flavors meld. It takes about 5 minutes of hands-on time and makes roughly 2/3 cup.
Jump to:
- Honey Mustard Dressing Quick Look
- Quick Answer
- Why This Recipe Works
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- Variations and Substitutions
- How to Make Honey Mustard Dressing
- Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Serving Ideas and Suggestions
- Honey Mustard Dressing FAQs
- Other Recommended Dressing Recipes
- Homemade Honey Mustard Dressing
Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- Two mustards for depth. Dijon adds sharp, smooth tang while grainy mustard brings texture and little pops of flavor.
- Honey balances the bite. Real honey sweetens and rounds out the sharp mustard for that classic honey mustard taste.
- Lemon brightens it. A little fresh lemon juice adds brightness and keeps the dressing from tasting heavy.
- Olive oil smooths it out. Just enough oil gives the dressing a silky, pourable consistency.
- Garlic powder adds depth. A teaspoon rounds out the flavor without overpowering the honey and mustard.
- One bowl, no cooking. Everything whisks together in a single bowl in about five minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It is sweet, tangy, and creamy, perfect as a dressing or a dipping sauce.
- It comes together in one bowl in about 5 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.
- It is endlessly useful on salads, sandwiches, and with anything crispy, like our hot honey fried chicken.
Key Ingredients
Here is what makes this honey mustard dressing so good. Just six simple ingredients you likely already have.
- Honey: Real honey gives the dressing its signature sweetness and balances the sharp mustard.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds smooth, sharp tang and helps the dressing emulsify.
- Grainy Mustard: Brings texture and little bursts of mustard flavor in every bite.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon brightens the dressing and cuts the richness.
- Olive Oil: Just a couple tablespoons make the dressing smooth and pourable.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
This honey mustard dressing is easy to customize to your taste.
- Make it creamier: Whisk in a tablespoon of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for a richer, creamier dressing.
- Add a little heat: Stir in a pinch of cayenne or a dab of hot sauce for honey mustard with a kick.
- Use maple syrup: Swap the honey for maple syrup to keep it vegan-friendly.
- Thin it out: Add a splash of water or extra lemon juice to make a lighter, drizzle-friendly dressing.
- Make it a dip: Use less oil for a thicker honey mustard that is perfect for dunking chicken and pretzels.
How to Make Honey Mustard Dressing
- Add the honey, grainy mustard, dijon mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic powder to a small bowl.
- Whisk until smooth, then chill for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use a good-quality honey since it is a star flavor; raw or local honey adds the best taste.
- Whisk well so the oil and honey fully emulsify into a smooth, glossy dressing.
- Chill before serving for 10 to 15 minutes so the flavors have time to meld.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding a little more honey or mustard to suit your taste.
- Store it in a jar in the fridge for up to a week, and whisk before each use.
- Use less oil for a thick dip or more lemon juice for a thinner salad dressing.
- Bring it to room temperature before serving if the honey has thickened in the fridge.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
Honey mustard dressing is endlessly versatile. Drizzle it over a crisp green salad with apples and candied nuts, spoon it onto sandwiches and wraps, or serve it as a dip for chicken tenders, soft pretzels, and fresh-cut veggies. It is the kind of all-purpose condiment that earns a permanent spot in the fridge door.
It is fantastic with anything crispy, like our hot honey fried chicken, and it pairs beautifully on a salad with our cucumber tomato feta salad or alongside pasta salad at a cookout.
Love easy homemade dressings? Try our poppy seed dressing, apple cider vinegar dressing, and the sweet-savory dressing on our Asian slaw.
Honey Mustard Dressing FAQs
This honey mustard dressing is made with honey, dijon mustard, grainy mustard, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and garlic powder. It is a sweet, tangy, creamy dressing that comes together in one bowl.
They are very similar. This recipe makes a pourable dressing, but using less oil creates a thicker honey mustard sauce that is perfect for dipping. The base flavors are the same.
Stored in an airtight jar in the refrigerator, it keeps for up to one week. Give it a good whisk or shake before each use, as it can separate slightly. The honey may firm up when cold, so let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving for the best texture.
Yes. Use all dijon mustard for a smoother dressing, or add a little yellow mustard. The grainy mustard adds texture, but the dressing is still delicious without it.
It can be a wholesome choice. It is made with real, simple ingredients and olive oil, and you control the sweetness. It is lower in additives than many bottled dressings.
It is delicious on salads, sandwiches, and wraps, and as a dip for chicken tenders, pretzels, roasted vegetables, and fries. It also makes a great marinade for chicken before grilling or baking, and a tasty spread for burgers and grilled cheese. Kids especially love it for dunking just about anything.
Looking for more? Our homemade poppy seed dressing is another quick, from-scratch dressing worth keeping in the fridge.
Homemade Honey Mustard Dressing
Ingredients
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons grainy mustard
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- To make the dressing, whisk all the ingredients in a small bowl.¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoons grainy mustard, 2 tablespoons dijon mustard, 2 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Chill in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Balancing grainy and Dijon mustards can add layers of flavor. Feel free to play around with the ratio until you find your favorite way.
- Mustard can have different intensities, so taste your dressing before adding more. You can always stir in more honey for sweetness or add extra lemon juice if you want more tang.
- Regular olive oil or extra-virgin olive oil can both work. The stronger the oil flavor, the more it’ll shine through in your dressing.
- If you’d like a creamier dressing, whisk in a bit of plain yogurt or sour cream. This is especially delicious if you’re serving it as a dip for chicken nuggets or fresh veggies.
- The fresh flavor of real honey is key here. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but avoid heavily processed or artificial honey for the best taste.
- This dressing isn’t just for salads. Drizzle it on crispy chicken tenders, spread it on a sandwich, or dip french fries in it. The possibilities are endless!
Nutrition
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