Best Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe
I almost always have a jar of this Honey Mustard Dressing in my refrigerator because it makes salads instantly more exciting. The sweet honey and tangy mustard create the perfect balance of flavors, and the whole recipe comes together in just 5 minutes.
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons mustard (Dijon, yellow, or half and half)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (or rice vinegar)
- Salt and pepper
- Optional Add-Ins: ¼ tsp garlic powder (¼ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp lime zest)
- Set out a small bowl or measuring pitcher. Combine the mayonnaise, honey, mustard(s), and lemon juice.
- Whisk until very smooth. Taste, then add salt and pepper as needed. At this point you can add in any extra seasoning you like. Or make a honey lime mustard dressing by adding additional lime zest.
- Cover and chill until ready to serve.
Why We Love This Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe
I’m a sucker for the sweet and sharp flavor combination in honey mustard. It tastes so familiar yet exciting! And, like most things, nothing beats a homemade version.
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
Like with my Catalina dressing recipe, you can make this easy creamy Honey Mustard Salad Dressing recipe from scratch in only about 5 minutes, and keep it ready to use in the fridge for up to a week!
It’s even great to personalize to your tastes… You might prefer to use all yellow mustard for color and a light, tangy flavor or all Dijon mustard to pack a bit more punch. Or you can use half-and-half for a very well-rounded honey mustard flavor. You can even add extra seasonings or lime zest to really kick up the deliciousness!
(Also check out my avocado lime ranch dressing for dipping!)
How to Make the Best Honey Mustard Dressing
Combine the mayonnaise, honey, mustard(s), and lemon juice in a small bowl, measuring pitcher, or small mason jar.
Whisk until it’s very smooth. (Or put the lid on the jar and shake.) Taste, then add salt and pepper as needed. At this point you can add in extra seasoning(s) or make a honey lime mustard dressing by mixing in lime zest.
Cover the dressing and chill until ready to serve.
Ways to Use Honey Mustard Dressing
Pretzel Crusted Chicken Skewers
How long does homemade honey mustard sauce last?
This dressing can be made up to one week in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and give it a good stir before using.
Is real honey in honey mustard?
Yes, we are using real honey in this homemade honey mustard dressing recipe! It’s the best way to get the most pure sweet flavor.
Is there a difference between honey mustard or honey mustard dressing?
These names tend to be used interchangeably, but there is technically a difference… Traditional honey mustard dressing, like what we are making here, is made with mayo. Other recipes use oil as a base to make it a dressing. However, you can buy sweet “honey mustard” at the grocery store that is strictly used like plain yellow mustard. It’s not meant to be a dressing, but a condiment for sandwiches. Our tried-and-true and not-so-secret recipe includes just the right ratio of ingredients, including lemon juice (or vinegar), to make a creamy yet drizzle-able honey mustard that works well as both a sauce and dressing.
