Homemade Honey Mustard Sauce Recipe for Dipping and Dressing

This honey mustard sauce is the perfect balance of sweet, creamy and tangy and takes just five minutes to prepare. Use it as a dip for chicken, fries and vegetables, or drizzle it over a salad for a memorable meal.

I prefer making my own condiments because they taste fresher and more vibrant than most store-bought versions. I regularly make homemade yum yum sauce, BBQ sauce, ranch dip and this honey mustard — the extra effort is worth it.

A bowl of honey mustard sauce served with chicken fingers.

Whenever honey mustard is available at a restaurant, I order it on the side — it makes everything better. Once I learned how simple it is to make at home, I stopped buying it. A few common pantry ingredients and five minutes is all you need.

Honey Mustard Sauce Ingredients

Bowls of mayonnaise, mustard, honey and seasonings.

The sauce is based on mayonnaise, two mustards and honey. I also add apple cider vinegar, sweet paprika, onion powder and a pinch of salt to round out the flavor.

How to make honey mustard sauce

Place the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, paprika, onion powder and salt in a bowl. Whisk until smooth and well combined. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Process shots of ingredients going into a bowl and being whisked together.

Tips for the best results

  • Store the sauce in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Freezing is not recommended, as the emulsion can break and become watery when thawed.
  • If you only have one type of mustard on hand, use it — the recipe still works. Using two mustards (yellow and Dijon) adds more depth.
  • For a thicker sauce, increase the mayonnaise slightly; for a lighter version, substitute half the mayo with nonfat Greek yogurt or use low-fat mayonnaise.

Recipe FAQs

What is honey mustard sauce made of?

Honey mustard combines honey, mustard and a creamy base such as mayonnaise. Variations change the ratios, mustard types and added seasonings. This version uses both yellow and Dijon mustard plus a few spices for extra flavor.

Is honey mustard sauce healthy?

Traditional honey mustard made with mayonnaise is not low in calories. To lighten it, use low-fat mayo or substitute half the mayonnaise with nonfat Greek yogurt.

What pairs well with honey mustard sauce?

This sauce is excellent with chicken fingers, burgers, fresh or grilled vegetables, fried shrimp, pork or drizzled on salads.

A whisk in a bowl of honey mustard.

Flavor variations

You can easily customize this recipe to suit your taste:

  • Mustard: Use grainy mustard for more texture or horseradish mustard for heat.
  • Seasonings: Try garlic powder, chipotle or Cajun seasoning. Swap sweet paprika for smoked paprika for a smoky note.
  • Heat: Add sriracha or your favorite hot sauce for spice.
  • Herbs: Stir in fresh chopped parsley, chives, basil or dill, or use 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs if you don’t have fresh herbs available.
A chicken finger being dipped into honey mustard sauce.

This sauce is a crowd-pleaser and works well for both kids and adults.

More recipes you’ll enjoy

  • Cornflake Chicken
  • Honey Mustard Salmon
  • Pigs in a Blanket
  • Honey Mustard Chicken
  • Homemade Chicken Fingers

Honey Mustard Sauce Video

Honey Mustard Sauce

This honey mustard sauce is the perfect blend of sweet, creamy and tangy and takes just five minutes to make. Use it as a dip or a dressing.
Prep Time: 4 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 6 minutes
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth and fully combined.
  2. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

  1. To reduce calories, use low-fat mayonnaise or replace half the mayo with Greek yogurt or light sour cream.
  2. Honey mustard pairs well with chicken fingers, burgers, vegetables, fried shrimp and salads.

Nutrition

Calories: 133 kcal | Carbohydrates: 9 g | Protein: 1 g | Fat: 11 g | Saturated Fat: 2 g | Cholesterol: 6 mg | Sodium: 175 mg | Potassium: 16 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 9 g
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