Honey Mustard Sauce: Seriously Delicious Dipping Sauce Recipe!

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Learn how to make the best honey mustard that’s equal parts tangy, savory, and sweet with this super simple homemade Honey Mustard sauce recipe! Made with just 9 pantry staples in 5 minutes, this DIY honey mustard is liquid gold and a must-have for any summer gathering. Use it to flavor EVERYTHING from tender chicken breasts to simple green salads; caramelized roasted veggies to crispy chicken nuggets or juicy burgers.

Update: This post was originally published in June 2022. I made updates to the article below to include more information about how to make honey mustard sauce at home.

About this honey mustard sauce recipe

When I was a wee one, I was a super picky eater. My father’s remedy? DIY honey mustard sauce on EVERYTHING. Whether it was a pile of steamed veggies or a piece of fish, sauce was his solution to get me to try new things. And friends? It 100% worked! While Dad used to buy his honey dijon mustard, I’ve since unlocked the secret of how easy it is to make the best honey mustard at home. And I can’t wait to share it with you today!

If you love the thick honey mustard dipping sauce from Chick-fil-A or Ken’s honey mustard spread, then you will love this quick and easy recipe! It’s a zesty combination of sweet honey flavors and tangy, spicy mustard that makes this honey dijon mustard perfect for dipping pretzels, chicken fingers and nuggets, and more!

Made with an assortment of ingredients that I’m sure you probably already have in your pantry, this tasty, creamy, zingy sauce comes together in mere minutes — without any fancy kitchen equipment necessary. (Despite the website name, you will need a stirring device of some sort though, okay?)

If you’re looking for more deliciously easy homemade sauces for dipping, be sure to try these fan-favorites next: bread dipping sauce with olive oil, Carolina BBQ sauce recipe, and white BBQ sauce recipe.

Why this dipping sauce recipe works

A sublime combination of zippy, tangy, savory and sweet flavors, this kid-friendly homemade honey mustard sauce is sure to become a family favorite!  

This DIY honey mustard sauce recipe is:

• Made with simple ingredients. You can make restaurant-quality home made honey mustard at home with basic pantry ingredients!
• Quick & Easy. This fast and flavorful dipping sauce is 100% fuss-free and fool-proof to prepare!
• Takes Less Than 5 Minutes! Literally – I set a timer.
• Allergen-Friendly. This honey mustard recipe is gluten free, soy free and dairy free. Plus, one simple swap makes it vegan as well!
• Super Versatile. Best way to make anything taste good? Add honey and mustard sauce.
• Meal-Prep Friendly. Double the recipe and store your sauce in the fridge to use throughout the week. This homemade honey dijon mustard will make a week of meal-prepped salads, sandwiches, and proteins taste like a million bucks!

Ingredients for honey mustard sauce

You don’t need much at all to make this gorgeously golden honey mustard recipe. 

• Good Quality Mayo – I’m a Duke’s girl through and through, but feel free to swap in any high-quality brand like Hellman’s/Best Foods, or Blue Plate.
  • Vegan substitution – You can easily use your favorite plant-based substitute.
• Honey – I always advocate for local honey because it a.) tastes better, b.) supports the local pollinators, and c.) supports your local foodways. 
  • If you are out of honey (or if you’re vegan), you can make a similarly tasty version using maple syrup or date syrup.
• Yellow Mustard – I love the tang of bright yellow mustard. If you prefer, swap in more dijon or make your own using some dried mustard powder.
• Dijon Mustard – Made with white wine and a bevy of tasty herbs & spices, dijon mustard makes me feel as fancy as the fella in the limo from those old Grey Poupon commercials. 
  • Feel free to use either an equivalent amount of stone ground mustard (which will give your honey mustard dipping sauce a bit of texture) or swap in more yellow mustard.
• Light Brown Sugar – Technically optional, I find that the molasses-y sweetness of brown sugar adds both irresistible body and flavor to this honey mustard dip.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – Adding a bit of extra acid to the mustard sauce helps to balance out the sweetness. 
  • ACV is the best substitution option, but you can easily swap in fresh lemon juice, white vinegar, white wine vinegar, or rice wine vinegar.
• Garlic Powder & Onion Powder – These powdered alliums add tons of flavor without needing to bust out the cutting board.
• Smoked Paprika – I love a hint of smoky goodness in my DIY honey mustard, but you can easily use regular sweet paprika or Hungarian hot paprika. 

Mustard sauce variations

• Make it spicy! Instead of using smoked paprika, opt for cayenne pepper for a spicy mustard sauce.
• Healthy swap –  To give your honey dijon mustard a healthy boost of protein, swap out some of the mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt.
• Turn it into a vinaigrette. Thin it out with an extra splash of vinegar and a glug or two of olive oil. Feel free to fancy it up with some chopped fresh herbs like parsley, tarragon, or cilantro if you’d like!
• Make Chick-fil-A sauce! Add a few tablespoons of your favorite barbecue sauce and this becomes iconic Chick-fil-A sauce!

How to make honey mustard

Making dijon mustard dressing from scratch is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. Make the honey mustard sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise with both mustards, honey, 1 tablespoon sugar, vinegar, garlic powder and onion powder. Season with ¼ tsp salt and a pinch of pepper. Whisk to thoroughly combine.
2. Adjust to taste: Taste the sauce and adjust for seasoning, adding more sugar or honey for sweetness and more vinegar for tang.
   • Optional, chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator. Allow the dressing to chill for at least 30 minutes so the flavors can marry.
3. Use or Store: Use your honey dijon mustard as a dip, dressing, sauce or spread! Or store your homemade honey mustard for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Is honey mustard the same as yellow mustard?

While yellow mustard is a component of this tasty honey mustard sauce, there are other ingredients (honey, to name the most important!) required to make a true honey mustard. Scroll down to the recipe card to make the best!

What can I use diy honey mustard sauce on?

Take a page out of my Dad’s parenting notebook and put it on just about anything! Honestly, this sauce is the best way to get your little ones to eat foods they’re reluctant to try. Jump to the next section below for lots of ideas!

Is honey mustard healthy?

I’m not a registered nutrition professional, but I feel perfectly good about serving this tasty dipping sauce to my family on the regular. It’s made with wholesome ingredients and doesn’t have any weird preservatives, artificial colors or flavors to speak of. I certainly can’t say the same for store-bought versions! (Please note that you should discuss any health-related dietary advice with a medical professional.) 

Serving suggestions for honey dijon mustard

This delectable DIY honey mustard recipe will add a little zip to just about anything you can think of! Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:

• As a creamy dipping sauce for chicken mcnuggets, chicken tenders, french fries or zucchini fries, fish sticks, fresh vegetables and crudités, or anything else you like to dip! Think of it as a replacement for marinara sauce or ranch.
• A flavorful mayo replacement on sandwiches, vegetarian black bean burgers, wraps, or for steamed veggies like artichokes, broccoli, or asparagus. 
• As a marinade or glaze on chicken wings or other chicken pieces, pork tenderloin and chops, pork ribs baked in oven, skirt steak, air fried shrimp, fish, or even tofu!
• A salad dressing for salads, like this green pea salad with chicken, grain bowls, alternative salads, such as spiralized zucchini salad, and roasted veggies, such as potatoes or prosciutto asparagus.

What are YOUR favorite ways to use honey dijon sauce? Let me know in the comments below!

Storing honey mustard dipping sauce 

This simple honey mustard dipping sauce stores beautifully, so I always make a double batch. Store the sauce in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. 

Since this dijon honey sauce is mayonnaise-based, I don’t suggest freezing it. That said, it’s so delicious you shouldn’t have a problem using it within 14 days!

Zippy, tangy, and kid-friendly, this homemade mustard sauce recipe is sure to become one of your favorite condiments. Whisk up a batch today and witness how it can transform even the most ho-hum meal into a crave-worthy affair! Whether you spread it on sandwiches, serve it with veggie sticks, or use it to add zesty flavor to your side salads, I have a feeling you’ll be making it on repeat all year long. I know I do!

Until next time, cheers!

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More delicious sauces for dipping and dressing!

If you love this DIY honey mustard sauce from scratch, be sure to try these delicious dressing and sauce recipes next:

• Remoulade Sauce Recipe (Delicious with fried foods and seafood dishes.)
• Healthy Green Goddess Dressing  (Super creamy dressing with avocado.)
• Homemade Ranch with Buttermilk (Creamy, dreamy, and perfectly zesty.)

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