Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe for Salads & Dipping

This honey mustard dressing is incredibly simple to make, and you likely have nearly all the ingredients on hand. Once you make it at home, you may never reach for the store-bought version again.

Dressing mixed up and placed in a storage bottle for later use. A honey jar and mustard jar sit behind it with a dripping honey dipper in front.

This dressing is great as a dip for pecan-crusted chicken and works beautifully as the dressing for an Italian pasta salad. It strikes a balanced sweet-and-tangy note that complements those dishes perfectly.

Ingredients

The base of this dressing is, unsurprisingly, mustard and honey. I add mayonnaise for creaminess and apple cider vinegar to bring necessary brightness and balance.

A pinch of salt and a touch of cayenne round out the flavors, adding a hint of heat. The cayenne becomes slightly more pronounced as the dressing sits, so making it a day or two ahead will deepen the flavor.

Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the post, or scroll to the bottom to see the full recipe card with exact ingredient amounts and instructions.

Method

Preparation is effortless: combine all ingredients in a bowl or a jar and whisk or shake until smooth. That’s it. Making dressings at home eliminates preservatives and lets you adjust flavor and texture to your preference.

All ingredients for the honey mustard dressing added to a bowl, before mixing.

All ingredients for the honey mustard dressing added to a bowl, after whisking together.

Store the dressing in a tightly sealed jar or bottle in the refrigerator. I like to make larger batches and keep them chilled for easy use throughout the week.

Notes & Tips

For the quickest prep, put all ingredients into a mason jar, secure the lid, and shake until smooth. Store in the refrigerator and give the jar a quick shake before using if separation occurs.

Keep in mind the cayenne will intensify slightly over time. If you prefer a milder profile, use the dressing right away; for a deeper, spicier note, allow it to rest a day or two. Even then, the heat remains quite mild.

Substitutions

Full-fat mayonnaise gives the richest, creamiest result. If you prefer a lighter option, substitute Greek yogurt—if the dressing tastes too tangy, balance it with a little extra honey or a drizzle of olive oil.

I use a combination of Dijon and grainy mustard for complexity. Creole mustard can replace the grainy mustard if you want a slightly different texture and flavor.

To tone down the heat, swap cayenne for paprika, which keeps a warm color and mild flavor without spice.

Apple cider vinegar is a classic choice, though rosé vinegar also works nicely if you prefer a subtle floral acid note.

More Favorite Dressings and Sauces

Creamy Caesar Dressing

Garlic Tzatziki

Easy Remoulade Sauce

Italian Marinade for Chicken or Zesty Italian Dressing

Ranch Dressing Recipe

Russian Dressing for Reubens

Avocado Cilantro Everything Sauce

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📖 Recipe

Yield: about 2 cups

Honey Mustard Dressing

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Total Time:
5 minutes

This honey mustard dressing is quick to prepare and uses simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

1 cup full-fat mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 ½ tablespoons grainy mustard
1 tablespoon honey
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1–2 pinches cayenne pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a bowl or mason jar and whisk or shake until smooth.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Shake before using if separation occurs.

Notes

Notes & Tips: For a quick method, combine ingredients in a jar, seal, and shake. The dressing will keep in the refrigerator; give it a shake before using. Cayenne will become more pronounced over time—use immediately for milder heat or let it rest a day for a deeper flavor.

Substitutions: Swap mayonnaise for Greek yogurt to reduce fat, and adjust honey or olive oil to balance tang. Use creole mustard instead of grainy mustard if preferred, or replace cayenne with paprika for milder spice. Rosé vinegar can be used in place of apple cider vinegar for a subtle variation.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 133
Total Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 8mg
Sodium: 231mg
Carbohydrates: 2g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 2g
Protein: 0g

Estimated values; actual nutrition may vary based on specific ingredients used.

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