Basic Homemade Country Mustard Recipe

homemade mustard
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Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Plus: 8 hrs 10 mins
Total: 8 hrs 15 mins

Mustard is one of those condiments that comes in many flavors, textures, and varieties. While most Americans are all too familiar with the smooth, bright yellow store-bought varieties, it would be a shame not to experience the more complex flavors of homemade varieties. If you're new to mustard-making, this recipe is a great place to start. This basic country mustard is a pungent, grainy, all-purpose mustard that uses both coarsely ground mustard seeds and mustard powder.

Homemade condiments like mustards are a great way to avoid the additives, preservatives, and added sugars and high fructose corn syrup found in most store-bought varieties. It's also simple enough that you may never go back to store-bought brands after trying this homemade country mustard! Once you've mastered the basic recipe, feel free to play with ingredients, flavors, and textures. You'll be surprised how many ways you can make a delicious mustard for everything from a juicy bratwurst or meat marinade to a simple ham sandwich

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard seeds (coarsely ground*)
  • 1/4 cup mustard powder (brown or yellow)
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Steps to Make It

  1. Grind the mustard seeds to the texture you desire.* When it comes to country mustard, there is no "correct'" texture, but many find a coarse texture particularly nostalgic. 

  2. Mix the mustard powder and ground seeds with the water. Let sit for 10 minutes.

  3. After 10 minutes, add the vinegar and salt; blend well.

  4. Refrigerate overnight in a container with an airtight lid before using.

*Note: Along with the many variations on texture, there are several ways to grind whole yellow mustard seeds. Some cooks prefer the convenience and ease of using a spice or coffee grinder which can quickly kick out a coarse or fine grind. Other cooks opt to bring out their old-fashioned mortar and pestle to grind by hand which some say lends the cook more control over the finished product. Whichever way you choose, play around with textures to find what best suits your taste or the mustard's application.

Recipe Source: Lost Arts : A Celebration of Culinary Traditions by Lynn Alley (Ten Speed Press) Reprinted with permission.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
5 Calories
0g Fat
1g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
Calories 5
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 65mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Protein 0g
Calcium 4mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)