Honey Mustard Sauce Recipe

4.88 from 16 votes

Aug 08, 2016, Updated Jun 26, 2024

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This easy homemade honey mustard sauce recipe is perfectly sweet and tangy, and needs only 6 pantry ingredients. You’re only a few minutes away from making your favorite dipping sauce right at home!

Spooning out Honey Mustard Sauce from a small white bowl.

One of my favorite things on my to-do list for today is making this homemade honey mustard sauce! It’s delicious and simple: A smooth, creamy dipping sauce that doubles as a salad dressing and marinade for my honey mustard grilled chicken.

My homemade recipe is inspired by the honey mustard served with the chicken fingers at Baker’s Square restaurant (are those still around?!). Years ago, I asked a waiter for the recipe. He went back to the kitchen and returned with a piece of paper that said, “The recipe is a secret, BUT here’s my own…” And I’ve been making it this way ever since.

What Makes This Honey Mustard Sauce So Good

Two types of mustard. The best honey mustard recipes use multiple mustards. I use yellow and Dijon mustards for a perfect balance of tangy heat.
Extras. Little add-ins, like creamy mayonnaise and paprika, boost the flavors and make the sauce extra rich.
Use it for everything. In my house, this homemade honey mustard sauce doubles as a dip, marinade, basting sauce, and salad dressing. It’s one of my most-used sauces. Let’s dive into this honey mustard and all the things you can dip in it!

close up of ingredients that go into a homemade honey mustard sauce.

Recipe Ingredients

To make a homemade version of this irresistible honey mustard sauce, you’ll need just a handful of simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your pantry. See the recipe card at the end of this post for exact amounts and instructions.

Mayonnaise – Acts as the creamy base for the sauce.
Dijon mustard – Adds a tangy, sharp flavor to the sauce.
Honey – Brings sweetness to balance the tanginess of the mustards.
Yellow mustard – Adds a mild, tangy mustard flavor and brightens the yellow color.
White vinegar – Used for the acidity to cut through the richness of the flavors. You can use wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar if needed.
Sweet paprika – Adds a hint of sweet and smoky flavor in addition to the salt and pepper.

Homemade Honey Mustard Sauce in a small white bowl with a spoon placed in the sauce.

Recipe Tips and Variations

Salad dressing options. I like to change this up sometimes and add yogurt instead of mayonnaise when I want to use it as a salad dressing.
Make it lighter. For a lighter spin, I have used Hellmann’s Cholesterol-Free and Egg-Free Sandwich Spread in place of the mayonnaise, and it works just as well.
Spicy honey mustard. Give this sauce some kick with cayenne pepper, chili flakes, or a dash of hot sauce.

dipping chicken nuggets in honey mustard sauce.

Ways to Use Honey Mustard

Now, all I want to do is make one massive bowl of Honey Mustard with a side of chicken fingers and fries. Some chicken nuggets, too. Zucchini crisps, too! Sweet and tangy, this homemade take on a classic appeals to both kids and adults. Here are some favorite ways to serve it.

As a dip: I especially like to make this when we have company because you can serve it with anything from Cajun fries to pretzel bites to raw veggies.
As a marinade: Try it on this honey mustard salmon or use it to make Instant Pot Honey Mustard chicken.
Salad dressing: Drizzle this sauce over a mango chicken salad or add it to a red potato salad. I also like to use it on this chopped salmon salad.

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4.88 from 16 votes