6 Best Substitutes for Mustard Powder

While it may not be the most popular flavoring in the kitchen, mustard powder is a great ingredient for different dishes. Made of ground mustard seeds, it has a pungent flavor that is released only when you mix it with water.

What if a recipe calls for mustard powder, but it isn’t available in your kitchen? You don’t necessarily have to rush to the supermarket to buy one. Instead, you can consider some of the best substitutes for mustard powder, including those that we’ll be talking about in this article.

Ways to Use Mustard Powder

With a mild spice and heat, there are plenty of ways to use mustard powder in the kitchen. You can be as experimental as you wish in your recipes. Below are some of the things that you might want to try:

Dry Rub

If you want to make your dry rub more explosive, adding mustard powder is a good idea. You can add heat without the intensity of chili peppers. It is mild but will tickle the tongue.

Salad Dressing

Healthy eaters who are looking for a great way to spice up their salad will love using mustard powder. You can add it to vinaigrette as an emulsifier, which will let oil and vinegar mix.

Sauces

Fans of cheesy and creamy sauces are in for a treat when they use mustard powder. It brings a tangy bite to dishes like baked mac without moisture. Best of all, it will cut the fattiness and too much creaminess.

DIY Mustard Sauce like Subway at home!! | Simply Yummylicious | Mustard sauce using mustard powder

What Are the Best Substitutes for Mustard Powder?

Can’t get your hands on mustard powder? Consider the alternatives mentioned below. We’ll also share some of the best ways to use them for various culinary applications.

1. Horseradish Powder

If you are looking for a hot and spicy alternative to mustard powder, then make sure to consider horseradish powder. It has volatile oils that are released when cooking, so think about the specific application to unleash the full potential of this flavoring.

Just like with mustard powder, there are many ways by which you can use this substitute. Some of the most popular include glazes, dips, marinades, sauces, soups, and dressings. It is commercially available, making it accessible when mustard powder isn’t available.

Nonetheless, take note that horseradish may not work for all people. For instance, it has pronounced spicy and bitter notes, which can make the flavor too robust to some people. Nonetheless, for those looking for a strong spicy kick, it is a great alternative.

2. Wasabi Powder

For flavors that are close to mustard powder, wasabi powder is another unbeatable option. While it is almost impossible to find fresh wasabi roots outside of Japan, the good news is that they are available in convenient powdered forms, which are as flavorful.

Also known as Japanese horseradish, wasabi is a grated rhizome that is sprinkled on top of food to provide a potent punch, which reminds most people of mustard. It is a staple in Japanese cuisine, especially in sashimi and sushi.

While wasabi is popular, a lot of people do not like it. Some might find it to be too intense, so it is usually an acquired taste. If you are using it as an alternative to mustard powder, tread with caution so that you won’t overdo it.

3. Turmeric Powder

A common ingredient in Central and Southeast Asian cuisine, turmeric powder is another great option when there is no mustard powder in the kitchen. This super spice has great aroma and flavor. Not to mention, it also packs plenty of health benefits.

From the flavor to the color, turmeric powder has lots of similarities with mustard powder. However, before using, take note that it has a strong flavor. Use it in moderation to avoid overpowering the flavors from the other ingredients that you are using in a dish.

Despite the strong flavor, it might not have the strong spicy kick that you will find in other alternatives that are mentioned in this article. Even so, it is still a great option if you are looking for a flavor profile comparable to mustard powder.

4. Yellow English Mustard

Another great choice if there is no mustard powder is yellow English mustard. The yellow variety is known as the gold standard in mustards. It has a bright color that stands out when added to burgers, hotdogs, sauces, salads, or anything else you want to use it for.

On the heat scale of mustards, this variety is at the bottom, so this is for those who do not like spicy food. It may not pack a punch in terms of heat, but it has a clean and sharp mustard flavor that will make it a must-have in the kitchen.

Since it is mellow, it is an all-purpose ingredient. You do not have to be as cautious since it won’t significantly alter the flavor profile of your food.

5. Dijon Mustard

Speaking of mustards, Dijon is another option that you might want to consider. It was first produced in Dijon, France but is now available around the world. It has a pungent flavor and intensified heat, which makes it more noticeable in food than yellow mustard.

Like other mustards, the most popular way to use Dijon mustard is in sauces and dressings. You can also use it as a rub or marinade for meats, especially for grilling and broiling. Plus, you can combine it with mayonnaise for a delicious sandwich.

6. Mustard Seeds

Of all the alternatives that we talked about in this article, this is perhaps the best option. After all, it is the main ingredient for making mustard powder, so you can expect a similar flavor profile regardless of the way you intend to use it.

However, you should not just put the seeds in any recipe. The best thing to do is to grind them until they turn into powder. This is easy when you have a coffee grinder or food processer with the capability to pulverize different ingredients.

Alternatively, you can also do things manually. Use a mortar and pestle to crush mustard seeds. It is best to work in small batches to avoid overflowing.

Crushed mustard seeds will be perfect in stews and sauces. Nonetheless, take note that it might end up being too coarse compared to traditional mustard powder. It might not provide the same emulsification benefits.

How To Make Mustard Powder At Home