What can I use instead of Dijon mustard?
Another prepared mustard works in most recipes that call for Dijon. Ours are sweeter, so start with the same amount and taste as you go: Original Sweet & Spicy in a marinade or a dressing, Horseradish on a sandwich when you want the bite.
What Dijon Mustard Is
The short version
Dijon is a French-style mustard named for the city of Dijon. It is made from brown or black mustard seed, and white wine or verjuice (the juice of unripe grapes) takes the place of some or all of the vinegar. That gives it a smooth texture, a pale tan color and a sharp, clean heat.
Cooks reach for it in vinaigrettes and pan sauces, in marinades, on sandwiches and in deviled eggs. It is sharper than yellow mustard and not sweet.
Dijon or Yellow Mustard?
How the two differ
| Compared on | Dijon | Yellow |
|---|---|---|
| Seed | Brown or black | White (also called yellow) |
| Liquid | White wine or verjuice | Vinegar |
| Color | Pale tan | Bright yellow, from turmeric |
| Taste | Sharp, clean heat | Mild and tangy |
More about the other one on our yellow mustard page.
What to Use Instead
Our three jars, by what you're making
None of ours is a Dijon. They are sweet gourmet mustards, and Original Sweet & Spicy is the 1935 family recipe they started from. But where a recipe uses Dijon for flavor and to hold things together, one of ours can do the job with a sweeter result. Start with the same amount and taste.
Original Sweet & Spicy
$9.00 for a 9oz jar
A marinade or a dressing. Creamy and sweet with a little spice, so you may want less sugar or honey in the rest of the recipe. Our own marinade thins it with wine or juice.
Horseradish
$9.00 for a 9oz jar
A sandwich or a sauce for beef, where Dijon's bite is the point. A sweet base with a mild to medium bite that won't wipe out your sinuses.
Hot & Spicy
$9.00 for a 9oz jar
Anything where you want a kick. Hot and sweet, with about the heat of a jalapeño or cayenne pepper.
Two of our own recipes where that works: the overnight mustard marinade for chicken and deviled eggs.
Common Questions
About Dijon and what to use instead
What can I use instead of Dijon mustard?
Another prepared mustard works in most recipes. Ours are sweeter than Dijon, so start with the same amount and taste: Original Sweet & Spicy in a marinade or dressing, Horseradish on a sandwich when you want the bite.
What is Dijon mustard?
A smooth, sharp mustard in the French style, named for the city of Dijon. It is made from brown or black mustard seed with white wine or verjuice (the juice of unripe grapes) taking the place of some or all of the vinegar.
What is the difference between Dijon and yellow mustard?
Dijon is made from brown or black seed and wine, and it is sharp and pale tan. Yellow mustard is made from white (yellow) seed, vinegar and turmeric, and it is milder and bright yellow.
Is Grandpa Spencer's mustard a Dijon?
No. Ours are sweet gourmet mustards: Original Sweet & Spicy, the 1935 family recipe, and Hot & Spicy and Horseradish, which came along in 2014. They can stand in for Dijon in a lot of recipes, but they taste sweeter.
Where to Buy It
Three ways, and we like all of them
In Person
Farmers markets, craft shows and festivals around the St. Louis metro and Metro East. Free tastings at every one of them.
See the EventsAt a Shop
Shops across Missouri and Metro East Illinois keep it on the shelf. The list is on the retailers page.
See the ShopsLet your imagination go crazy. And if you'd like to taste them first, come find us at a market. We appreciate your business.
Order a Jar