There is a wide variety of mustard available, but the strongest variety in terms of flavor is the English mustard. The English mustard, just like its counterparts, has a thick consistency and a bright yellow color.
This type of mustard is a combination of yellow and brown mustard seeds. English Mustard is available in the market in bottles but is also commonly purchased in powder form and mixed with chilly water just before use to obtain better results.
Given the strong, appealing flavor of English Mustard, it is more suitable to use in cooking than other mustard variants. However, it can be a challenge to source English Mustard in certain countries. Here are some of the best alternatives you can consider.
- Dijon Mustard
- Creole Mustard
- Spicy Brown Mustard
- Stoneground Mustard
- Chinese Mustard
- German Mustard
- Whole Grain Mustard
- Wagarashi
- Horseradish Sauce
Before that let’s understand why condiments like the English mustard are so commonly used in restaurants or food shops and what are their health benefits.
What Is Mustard?
Mustard is a blend of ground mustard seeds, salt, seasonings, herbs, and spices blended with water, vinegar, and lemon extract.
It has a thick and pasty consistency. Its color ranges from light yellow to brownish-yellow and its flavor is a blend of bitter-sweet, peppery, and tangy with a hint of saltiness. It has a sharp acidic aroma, which is a distinct characteristic of mustard seeds.
Quick Note
English mustard is just one variety of hot mustard
12 Best Substitute For English Mustard
There are people who find it more appealing to eat their food when paired with a condiment. A condiment is a mixture added to food to enhance its overall characteristics and create an enjoyable dining experience.
There are diverse ways of using condiments, which may enrich the original texture and flavor of the dish.
There are restaurants or food shops serving condiments separately from the dish leaving it up to the guest to add them to their food.
In marinating and cooking, condiments work best because they tend to bring out different layers of flavor and make the food moist and tender.
The most popular use of a condiment is when added to the food just before serving, just like in sandwiches, hamburgers, and pies.
Aside from improving the flavor of a dish, eating food with mustard also has health benefits. One of the major health benefits of mustard is cancer treatment.
Glucosinolates and mirosinase are substances present in mustard seeds that utilize phytochemicals, hindering the growth of cancer cells.[Source]
Check out this list of the best English Mustard Substitutes:
Dijon Mustard
Dijon Mustard is quite common in preparing different salad dressings, dips, and sauces. It is composed of shelled black seeds mixed with salt, spices, and wine to impart a strong citrusy and acrid taste.
Compared to English mustard, Dijon mustard does not have the same heat level and pungency, but its overall sensory attributes are not far behind, which makes it a good substitute for English mustard.
Dijon mustard is popular as a condiment and as a cooking ingredient. It is an alternative to English mustard in cooking despite its weaker spice level.
To address this, rubbing on meat like chicken, pork, and fish just before cooking, helps develop its flavor. Given the close comparison in color appearance, flavor, and consistency, Dijon mustard is a commendable substitute for English mustard at a 1:1 ratio.
Creole Mustard
Creole mustard’s spicy taste is remarkably close to that of the English mustard, which makes it a perfect substitute. Creole mustard is composed of the following ingredients: whole brown mustard seeds, soaked or marinated in vinegar, turmeric, horseradish, and a blend of spices.
It is an excellent ingredient in preparing sandwich spreads, salad dressings, and dips. Also, in making sauces, glaze, and marinades because of its distinct grittiness and sweet flavor. Having a similar coarse texture, and spicy and sweet flavors to the English mustard, Creole mustard is suitable as a substitute. The recommended ratio is 1:1.
Spicy Brown Mustard
Spicy brown mustard is a widely used ingredient in Asian cuisine. It is prepared by crushing brown mustard seeds and combining them with a blend of spices resulting in a coarse and pasty mixture with a strong pungent aroma and taste.
Spicy brown mustard or deli mustard is less spicy than English mustard. One component of spicy brown mustard is ginger, which is the source of its spicy taste. It also has a slightly earthy flavor coming from a blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, and other spices.
Compared to Dijon mustard, spicy brown mustard is spicier because it has less amount of vinegar, which makes its sensory profile closer to English mustard, which is known to be spicy and sweet.
This type of mustard is an impressive ingredient in preparing sandwiches, roast beef, and sausages. In using spicy brown mustard as a substitute for English mustard, the recommended ratio is at 1:1.
Stoneground Mustard
Stoneground mustard is a condiment that has a gritty texture since it is prepared by grinding brown mustard seeds with a millstone. Though its overall flavor is milder than English mustard, both have the same spicy taste.
Just like English mustard, stoneground mustard is a staple in cooking. It is frequently used in making sausages, sandwiches, and roast beef, and when blended with other herbs and spices in preparing salad dressings, meat rubs, and marinades.
Stoneground mustard is also a popular pairing for cold meats, dry sausage slices, bread, and cheeses. It is a good substitute for English mustard as it blends well with a variety of food choices. Substitute 1-part of stoneground mustard for one part of English mustard.
Chinese Mustard
Chinese mustard is a suitable substitute for English mustard. It has a strong spicy taste derived from grinding brown mustard seeds and mixing them with water. Another technique is mixing mustard seeds with other ingredients such as vinegar, vegetable oil, or sesame oil.
Chinese mustard is a well-loved dipping sauce for wontons, egg rolls, and spring rolls. Its other applications are as a dry rub, a marinade, and a dressing for salads.
Chinese mustard is a perfect replacement for English mustard because of its spicy and full-bodied flavor and aroma. Use Chinese mustard as a substitute for English Mustard at a 1:1 ratio.
German Mustard
For German sausage lovers, German mustard is the condiment of choice. Its spicy taste works well with German sausages. It is also popular for sandwiches, meat cuts, hotdogs, and hamburgers.
It comes in varying levels of spiciness, color, texture, and type of herbs and spices that were blended in. Dusseldorf mustard is a preferred type of condiment for German sausages because it is one of the spiciest types of German mustard.
German mustard is prepared from a mixture of varied ground mustard seeds. Common mustard seeds used are Sinapis hirt and Brassica nigra.
German mustard is from a combination of ground mustard seeds, sweeteners, vinegar, and oil. It is an appropriate substitute for English Mustard at a 1:1 ratio.
Whole Grain Mustard
Whole grain mustard is coarse and pasty. This condiment has a yellowish-brown color with visible mustard seeds in yellow and brown color. It is compatible to sandwiches, dressings, dips, and sauces because of its mild flavor.
Whole grain mustard is a suitable substitute for English mustard even if it has a milder flavor. All you must do is adjust the amount of whole grain mustard added to the dish.
The recommended ratio is to substitute two teaspoons of whole grain mustard for every teaspoon of English mustard.
Wagarashi
Wagarashi is a Japanese mustard that is prepared by grinding brown mustard seeds and mixed with water for an intense spicy taste. Its appearance is comparable to Chinese mustard. Wagarashi is available as a ready-to-use condiment and in powder form.
This mustard is a common dressing or dipping sauce, and has an intense flavor and aroma. It is a suitable substitute for English mustard but since it is spicier, the recommended ratio is only one teaspoon of Wagarashi for every two teaspoons of English mustard.
Horseradish Sauce
Horseradish sauce is composed of grated horseradish root plants mixed with mayonnaise, sour cream, heavy cream, salt, and vinegar. It is white and creamy with an intense spicy taste.
This is perfect when combined with steak, beef tenderloin, sandwiches, deviled eggs, and potato salad. Horseradish sauce is a suitable substitute for English mustard because of its delicious creamy taste but because it is spicier than English mustard, use only a small amount.
Substitute only one teaspoon of horseradish for two teaspoons of English mustard.
Beer Mustard
Beer mustard is a type of mustard that is prepared with beer instead of vinegar. Compared to English mustard, beer mustard is slightly sweeter, less tangy with a hint of acrid taste coming from the taste of beer.
This mustard is a good substitute to English mustard. A ratio of one part beer mustard to one part English mustard is a suitable substitute.
Honey Mustard
Honey mustard is typical mustard, sweetened with honey. This is a common component in sandwiches and dip for appetizers such as Fish and Chips, Chicken Tenders, and Fish Fillet.
Salad dressings are prepared with Honey Mustard, vinegar, or olive oil. This may serve as a glaze for grilled or fried porkchops.
When used as a substitute for English mustard, make sure not to add too much honey mustard to prevent the dish from becoming too sweet.
Homemade English Mustard
Homemade English mustard is the best substitute for any store-purchased English mustard. Preparing homemade English mustard is not as complicated as you imagine.
It is quick to whisk up with just a few ingredients. The good thing about preparing your English mustard is you get to adjust the taste, texture, and level of spiciness according to your preference.
All you need is to follow this recipe:
What You Need
- 4 Tablespoons Mustard powder
- 2 Tablespoons Vinegar (Apple Cider, Sherry, or White Wine)
- 2 Tablespoons Warm Water
- One teaspoon Kosher Salt
You may also add:
- ½ Tablespoon Sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
Procedures
- Prepare a small bowl and wire whisk. Make sure all utensils are clean and dry.
- Get pre-measured ingredients. Pour in all the ingredients in the bowl.
- Using a wire whisk, mix all the ingredients.
- Continue mixing until a pasty, homogenous mixture appears.
- Whisk some more with the gradual addition of water if needed.
- Allow the mixture to rest for 10 minutes at room temperature to ensure that all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Transfer the mixture to a clean and dry storage container, tightly cover and store in the refrigerator.
Quick Note
Always keep the product chilled and avoid prolonged exposure to hot temperatures. Homemade English Mustard can last up to 3 weeks when kept chilled in a tightly covered container.
