Honey Mustard Dressing

This honey mustard dressing recipe checks all the right boxes. It's simple, quick to make, sweet, and tangy. Pour it over anything.

Ingredients

To make honey mustard dressing, you'll need the following ingredients. Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and measurements.

Honey: It provides a light sweetness that's not overpowering. I prefer runnier honey, rather than raw, unfiltered honey, because it's easier to mix.

Mustard: I use yellow mustard because of its brighter, mild, and tangy flavor. You can also use Dijon mustard for a sharper, more intense dressing. Yellow mustard is what many popular restaurants and store-bought options use, like Chick-fil-A.

Apple cider vinegar: It provides a tangy, acidic flavor that packs an extra punch. You can also skip the vinegar and only use lemon juice if you prefer. I think it tastes best with apple cider vinegar.

Extra-virgin olive oil: An essential ingredient in the dressing because it gives it richness. When whisked with the vinegar and mustard, it creates a creamy, emulsified texture.

Lemon juice: I've tested this dressing with only vinegar, only lemon juice, and a mix of the two. What I've found is that a little bit of lemon juice adds a fresh, bright, citrus flavor. It adds a nice touch and balances the fermented flavor of apple cider vinegar.

Salt and pepper: Fine-tune the final taste with salt and pepper. Salt brings out the flavors more, while pepper adds a subtle touch of heat. Both help ensure the dressing is balanced and flavorful.

How to Make the Best Honey Mustard Dressing

The following are the steps and process images to make honey mustard dressing. Refer to the recipe card for the complete set of instructions.

1. Combine all ingredients except olive oil. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. You're ready for the olive oil when the honey and mustard are thoroughly combined.

2. Gradually mix in the olive oil. Add the olive oil last to ensure proper emulsification. The dressing will thicken. Keep whisking until it's smooth. Then, taste the dressing and season to taste. I like to taste it with a green to see what it'll be like in a salad.

Ways to Serve

Honey mustard vinaigrette is one of those things that work well with almost anything. I make this dressing on repeat for that reason. The following are some of my favorite ways to use it:

• Salad dressing. This dressing goes with any salad. Try it on lettuce, spinach, arugula, kale, broccoli, or a salad kit.
• Vegetables. Raw, roasted, or sautéed vegetables pair well with honey mustard dressing. My favorites include roasted sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and bell peppers.
• Grain bowl. The base can be any grain. Popular choices include rice, barley, buckwheat, farro, quinoa, and millet. Add veggies, beans, or mushrooms. Then, top it off with this vinaigrette.
• Marinade. It's one of my favorite ways to marinate broccoli or cauliflower. When I do this, I substitute the extra-virgin olive oil with an olive or neutral oil with a high smoke point. I've had friends use this as a marinade for chicken and salmon, and they love it.

How to Store

As one of my go-to salad dressings, I always have a batch in the fridge. It's quick to whisk up and keeps well. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. When you're ready to use the dressing, give it a shake before serving.

While it's in the fridge, the oil may solidify. If this happens, bring the dressing to room temperature before using it to get a smooth pour.

Variations and Substitutions

Honey and mustard are the foundation of this dressing. From there, it's customizable. The following are different variations to try.

Make it vegan. The only animal product is honey, which is easy to substitute. Use maple or agave syrup instead.

Oil-free. There are two ways to make this dressing without oil. You can use water or skip the oil altogether. If you don't include the oil, it'll be a little thicker.

Add mayonnaise. ¼ cup of mayonnaise will add a bit of zip and creaminess. It makes the dressing better for dipping.

Give it a spicy kick. Combine hot sauce or cayenne pepper as you whisk the ingredients to increase the heat. Start with a small amount and gradually increase it so it doesn't become unbearable.

Add herbs. Oregano, dill, parsley, chives, or thyme are the best herbs to mix into this dressing. You can use fresh or dried herbs. I love how the herbs create a deeper flavor.

Fresh garlic. Give the dressing a pungent kick by grating or mincing fresh garlic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a 4-ingredient honey mustard dressing?

4-ingredient honey mustard dressing is a popular variation. It mixes honey, mustard, oil, and vinegar to make a sweet, tangy dressing. I prefer adding lemon juice, salt, and pepper to make the dressing even better.

What's the difference between honey mustard and honey mustard dressing?

Honey mustard is thick, creamy, and meant to be a dip. Honey mustard dressing is thinner and made for salads. The dip version is often made with mayonnaise. Conversely, the dressing combines oil and vinegar to make a vinaigrette.

Can I make the dressing creamier?

Greek yogurt or mayonnaise are the two best ways to thicken honey mustard dressing. Both ingredients will make it creamier.

More Dressing Recipes to Upgrade Any Salad

• Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing: Light, tangy, and easy to make.
• Avocado Lime Dressing: A creamy and refreshing blend of avocado, cilantro, and lime juice.
• Tahini Dressing Recipe: Tasty, creamy, zesty, and delicious on everything from salads to falafels.

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