Dijon mustard became a quick favorite for consumers decades ago and the chances of you finding it in someone’s house are very high. It packs more of a punch than your traditional yellow mustard, but it’s still not as strong as spicy brown mustard, making it the perfect blend of both world for people. Though its popularity has skyrocketed since the 1800s when it was first invented, what happens if you find yourself with an empty jar and dijon and nowhere to go for more? Well, there are a few options you can try for substitutes and we’re here to teach you all about them.
Quick Substitutes
As nice as it would be, sometimes we just don’t have the time to sit down and concoct our own condiment substitutes. Instead, we rely on some quick fixes to get us what we need in a pinch. If you’re looking for easy replacements then here’s your go-to list:
- Yellow mustard
- Spicy brown mustard
- Wasabi
These three are your closest bet to getting the same delicious taste from simple replacements. There are distinct differences in taste, but not enough for them to be considered poor replacements.
Yellow Mustard
While your average yellow mustard isn’t as spicy as dijon, it can be used in a pinch if you need a fast, suitable substitute. Yellow mustard doesn’t pack that much of a kick and it’s also creamier than dijon, but don’t turn your back on it when you need something in a pinch. The sodium content is higher in dijon than in yellow mustard as well, so prepare yourself for a slight difference in taste as far as sodium goes.
Spicy Brown Mustard
Not everyone in the family likes milder food and if you or housemates prefer something that still packs a punch then you should try spicy brown mustard as your replacement. Brown mustard seeds are to thank for the spiciness this mustard has and it’s hotter than dijon as well. So, one of the main differences you’re bound to notice is the difference in hotness. You should also be able to tell that spicy brown mustard has a rougher feel to it, so the texture will differ as well. Though these differences will standout, brown mustard is still a good substitute to use when dijon is nowhere to be found.
Wasabi
Still catering to the heat-lovers in the house, wasabi is a great sub for dijon if you need something fast. Though yellow and brown mustard can typically be substituted in equal amounts, wasabi is significantly hotter than dijon. For this one, you should aim to only use a glob of it as opposed to matching it teaspoon for teaspoon. Unless your family can really handle the heat, less is more with wasabi.
Homemade Substitute Recipe
If you have some time on your hands and feel like making your own sub from scratch, you don’t need too many ingredients. A common dijon mustard substitute only requires five ingredients and chances are you have the majority of them in your home already.
What You’ll Need
- 2 tablespoons of dry mustard
- 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon of cold water
- 1 teaspoon of white wine vinegar
- A pinch of sugar
- Mortar and pestle
Steps
- Soak the mustard seeds in the white wine vinegar for 48 hours.
- After two days, combine all the ingredients using a mortar and pestle in order for you to achieve the signature smoothness of mustard.
That’s all there is to it. In case you’ve never heard of a mortar and pestle before, you’ve probably seen one before and never knew. A mortar and pestle is merely a little bowl and crusher that grinds ingredients into fine powders or pastes. You can easily find them online and they won’t cost you too much either.
Turning to ingredients you already have in your pantry is an easy way to replace dijon mustard in a pinch. Sticking to classic mustards or making your own are great ways to bring the flavor to your dishes. Substituting dijon mustard has never been simpler.
