Honey Mustard Sauce. The Best Dip! - Sweet and Savory Meals

Name: Honey Mustard Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 cup mayonnaise; 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon yellow mustard; 5 tablespoons honey; 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon onion powder; 1/8 teaspoon paprika; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Recipe Video Print

Oh boy, do I love honey mustard sauce! While working on the menu for our restaurant, I was still deciding which main dishes and appetizers to add, but I instantly knew which sauce would be on the menu. This sauce takes under 10 minutes to make, and it’s pure perfection: creamy, sweet, and savory, with just the right amount of peppery zing.

Honey mustard sauce dripping of a spoon into a jar.

I make this restaurant favorite at home anytime we have Brown Sugar Bacon-wrapped Chicken Drumsticks, or Chicken Tenders for dinner! The whole family loves it, and it pairs well with so many dishes. You’ll always find a jar in my fridge, since it can be refrigerated for up to a week.

Why you will love this recipe
What you will need
How to make
Expert tip
Recipe variations and add-ins:
Serving suggestions:
How to store leftovers:
Frequently asked questions
More delicious sauces:

You can never beat a classic, and this honey mustard sauce is just an elevated version of the childhood favorite we used to get with chicken nuggets at McDonald’s. The honey nicely balances the mustard’s strong taste, which is probably why this was invented in the first place. Its the perfect combo for those who like a bit of sweetness with their savory food. This recipe is ideal as a dip for chicken wings and veggies, and also absolutely fantastic when drizzled over crispy pork chops.

Honey mustard sauce dripping of a spoon.

Why you will love this recipe

It takes just minutes: I can make this sauce in under 10, which is a huge winner in my book! I can instantly elevate lots of party appetizers or even a weeknight dinner!
It goes with everything: My favorite thing to dip is chicken strips, but it is also a great sandwich spread or salad dressing. Also, it’s a must when we have our Super Bowl and a variety of homemade wings; it goes hand in hand with these honey garlic chicken wings.
Versatile: With just a few basic ingredients, I can whip this up anytime. I always have what I need in the kitchen to make it, and it can be used as a marinade, on salads, sandwiches, or as a dip!
Even the kids love it: My kids will put it on everything from chips to veggies. It’s a great way to get them to eat vegetables.

What you will need

Overhead shot of honey mustard sauce ingredients in bowls on a wooden table.

Wet ingredients: I use my favorite mayonnaise for a thick, creamy richness that helps balance the sweetness of the honey and the tanginess of the mustard. Dijon mustard is the most important ingredient in this sauce, providing a complex, tangy taste and subtle spiciness while adding silky texture. Yellow mustard adds a classic kick of spiciness and bright yellow color. The apple cider vinegar adds even more tang and helps cut through the richness of the mayo, thinning the sauce to a pourable consistency.
Sweetener: Honey is another important ingredient that adds natural sweetness without being overpowering.
Seasonings: Besides salt and pepper, I add garlic powder for a savory depth and onion powder for a bit of pungency to balance the tangy mustard and sweet honey. I also add a bit of paprika for a subtle hint of smokiness and warmth.

How to make

Mix it up: First, I mix all the ingredients in a bowl and stir until smooth.

Combining honey mustard sauce ingredients in a bowl.

Use or chill: Then, I either use the sauce right away or cover it and refrigerate it until I am ready to use it.

Expert tip

Using the right mustard

I recommend using a combination of pungent, complex, and sharp Dijon mustard and mild, less acidic yellow mustard. In my opinion, the yellow mustard balances the rich Dijon mustard perfectly, highlighting the gentleness of this sauce, which is not intended to be very peppery. The Dijon mustard can be replaced with whole-grain mustard, a spicy condiment with a coarse texture. It has wine vinegar with brown and black mustard seeds. It will make the sauce spicier, thicker, and grainier if you prefer.

More tips to consider:

Heat the honey in the microwave for a few seconds to help it mix more easily.
Let the ingredients rest for 20-30 minutes before serving for better flavor.
Use high-quality ingredients for the best results.
For a more layered and complex taste, don’t skip using both mustards.
Start with the basic honey, mustard, and mayonnaise mixture, then add your favorites to make your own recipe.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

Other mustards: As I mentioned above, other mustards can be used to change the taste and texture.
Spicy sauce: To make this spicy honey mustard sauce, I add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Citrus sauce: For a citrus kick, I sometimes toss in a bit of lemon juice and zest.
More herbs: Other herbs and spices can also be added, such as thyme, basil, sage, and parsley.
Flavored mayo: Flavored mayo, like sriracha or herb mayo, would also take this sauce to another level of deliciousness.

Drizzling honey mustard sauce over salad greens.

Serving suggestions:

This sauce can be served with all sorts of recipes as a dip, spread, or glaze. I like to serve it as a dip on game day or at parties, alongside veggie chips, pretzels, veggies, crispiest roasted sweet potatoes, or boneless chicken wings. My friends also like to have this dip with my crispy baked tofu. The crunch makes dipping these protein-filled cubes worth every bite. Don’t forget the chopsticks!

These grilled pork chops and grilled chicken wings are also super delicious, with a honey mustard glaze. I like to add it during the cooking process, then add more after they are cooked to make them even more flavorful. And my absolute favorite way to eat this tasty sauce is as a spread on sandwiches and wraps. I really enjoy it on my French dip sandwiches.

How to store leftovers:

Refrigerate: I like to keep my sauce in a glass jar or bowl with a lid in the refrigerator. It can be refrigerated for up to a week.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best honey to use for this sauce?

I always use organic honey, but I also like to use honey from a local beekeeper. The honey they sell in stores contains so much extra sugar and other sweeteners, as well as pesticides, herbicides, and other artificial chemicals. The organic honey comes from bees raised on crops rich in antioxidants and other nutrients, so it is less processed. It gives your sauce a richer, deeper flavor. I also like the fact that it supports local beekeepers and farmers.

Can I make this into a salad dressing?

Yes, it can be thinned out by adding more vinegar or some olive oil. After mixing the recipe as it is written, slowly whisk in some olive oil until it is smooth and as thin as you like for salad dressing. For a creamy dressing, mix it with extra mayonnaise or heavy cream until it is the right consistency. Remember not to add too much. Only add a little at a time and taste it after each whisking to make sure the taste is still good.

Can I make this without mayonnaise?

This can be made with plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a healthier, still-creamy alternative. It also adds a nice protein boost. I would use full-fat yogurt for a thicker, richer texture and taste with a similar mouthfeel. Sour cream is another good choice for mayonnaise. It is tangier than mayo, though, so it may need a little more honey to balance out the taste.

How do I thicken my sauce?

If the sauce is too thin, whisking in a little more mayonnaise can thicken it. Whisking in a little more honey may also help with the thickness. However, do not add too much, or it will ruin the balance of the other flavors. Another way to thicken the sauce is to make a cornstarch slurry. Simply stir 1 part cornstarch into 1 part cold water until dissolved, then whisk it into the sauce until it thickens.

Close shot of honey mustard sauce on salad green.

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