Honey mustards we love

There's something almost alchemical about honey mustard, the way golden sweetness transforms sharp mustard into liquid gold, striking that perfect balance between comfort and sophistication, equally at home drizzled over a backyard barbecue chicken breast or whisked into a vinaigrette for mixed greens.

Born in American kitchens during the 1970s, honey mustard emerged from our collective craving for flavors that dance together rather than compete. What started as a simple marriage of two pantry staples has evolved into one of the most versatile sauces in modern cooking, beloved by everyone from toddlers dipping their nuggets to chefs crafting elegant glazes.

The beauty of honey mustard lies in its fundamental simplicity. At its core, you need just the two ingredients of mustard and honey in equal measure to make it. From there is where creativity takes over: yellow mustard creates a mellow, family-friendly version, while Dijon brings sophisticated heat and whole grain mustard adds delightful texture and rustic charm. Add a splash of apple cider vinegar for brightness, a drizzle of olive oil for richness, minced garlic for depth or fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to elevate it even more.

While honey mustard shines as a dipping companion for chicken tenders and soft pretzels, its talents extend far beyond the appetizer table. It creates an exceptional glaze for roasted vegetables, caramelizing beautifully in the oven. As a marinade, it tenderizes proteins while infusing them with complex flavor. Whisked into salad dressings, it adds body and intrigue that transforms simple greens into something memorable.

When shopping for honey mustard, look for brands that use high-quality ingredients and have a good balance of sweetness and tanginess. Here are some of our favorites:

Traverse Bay Farms Jalapeño Honey Mustard - Wildly spicy and wildly good.

Edmond Fallot Honey and Balsamic Mustard - The balsamic takes this one from great to wow.

Hickory Farms Pineapple Honey Mustard - Try this one on any grilled meats or with cheese.

Melinda’s Honey Habanero Mustard - From the makers of Melinda’s hot sauce comes this extra spicy, but very delicious, mustard.

Evan Williams Honey Mustard - This one has a solid classic flavor, but spiked with a hint of bourbon.

Maille Honey Dijon Mustard - This is white wine and dijon forward, and pairs wonderfully with meats, hard cheeses like Jarlsberg, and green vegetables.

Stonewall Kitchen Honey Mustard - Stonewall Kitchen offers a few really outstanding honey mustards. Their Raspberry Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce is excellent, especially with meats and cheeses and their Sweet Honey Mustard is a perfect classic.

Inglehoffer Honey Mustard - No honey mustard list would be complete without this classic. (Also try their Cranberry Honey Mustard and their Sweet Hot Honey Mustard.)

GL Gourmet Line Truffle Honey Mustard - Once truffles get involved, it’s a win from us.

Dietz and Watson Cranberry Honey Mustard - It’s different, it’s excellent, and it’s practically begging to be slathered on a turkey sandwich.

Terrapin Ridge Farms Champagne Garlic Honey Mustard - one of our overall favorites. This one is not to be missed. (Also, don’t sleep on Terrapin Ridge Farms Raspberry Honey Mustard or their Terrapin Ridge Farms Pecan Honey Mustard, either. Both are highly unique, and both really work well.)

True Foods Honey Mustard - This is so flavorful, you won’t notice it’s low sugar.

Harry & David Sesame Honey Mustard Dip - Sesame oil and white wine swirl together and gives this mustard a fascinatingly distinct flavor.