Our Mellow Yellow Mustard Recipe (2024)

Many have asked, "How do you make mustard?" We'll be glad to show you! Our yellow mustard recipe is on the mellower side of the mustard spectrum. It's healthy, tastes just right, and is quite easy to make!

What Is Mustard?

Mustardis typically the hot and spicy golden child of the condiment family. Yellow mustard is just one of its identities.This condiment has many personalities, at times acting or reacting rather counter-intuitively, and can seem a bit mysterious in nature at times...

What is mustard made from? The main ingredient in mustard, in all its various forms, is the seeds of mustard plants. There are a few different varieties of mustard plants which produce the types of mustard seeds used in making mustard, namely, white/yellow mustard, Sinapis alba; brown mustard, Brassica juncea; or black mustard, Brassica nigra.

There are over 40 different varieties of mustard plants, but these three are the most popular for culinary uses.

What Does Mustard Taste Like? What Ingredients Are in Mustard?

What does mustard taste like? There is a wide range of different kinds of mustard, each with its own identifying twist of flavor.

Depending on thetype of mustard, and mustard seeds used to make it, mustard can have a potent, sharp flavor, or an earthy, crisp, tart-and-tangy flavor with mellowspiciness with sweet undertones, perhaps with the complimentary tang of whitewine. Other types of mustard can be so hot and spicy that they makeyour eyes water and clean out your sinuses!

What ingredients are in mustard? The ingredients in preparedmustard vary a bit depending on type of mustard. The primary ingredient is mustardseeds, whether whole, cracked, bruised, or finely ground into powder. The mustardseed can be mixed with water, vinegar, lemon juice, wine, or other liquids, salt,and often other flavorings and spices, to create the condiment we call mustard.On the recipe below you'll be able to see what ingredients are in the yellow mustard recipe thatwe make.

Dry Mustard vs Ground Mustard or Mustard Powder?

Other mustard questions that have been asked are: "What isdry mustard?" "What is ground mustard?" and, "What ismustard powder"? These are all names of the sameproduct. It is dried mustardseeds that have been ground into powder without anything added to it.

Many recipes call for dry mustard or mustard powder instead of prepared mustard. Dry mustard,or ground mustard, is commonly found in the spice aisle at most groceries.Youcan also make your own mustard powder by grinding dried mustard seeds finely in a coffeegrinder or spice grinder.

What Is 'Prepared Mustard'?

What isprepared mustard? Prepared mustard, in its various forms, simply refersto the ready-to-use sauce, or paste, used on your food as a condiment or as aningredient in other dishes.

It is either store-bought or homemade as is ouryellow mustard recipe.

Types of prepared mustard would include Yellow Mustard,Dijon Mustard, Spicy Brown Mustard, Honey Mustard, Whole Grain Mustard, HotMustard, to name a few, and there are many other types of mustard as well!

What Is 'Yellow Mustard'?

Yellow mustard, the classic American'prepared mustard', is a mellower flavored mustard and is probably the mostcommon mustard used in the North America.

It is made from finely ground yellowmustard seeds which are the mildest of all mustard seeds. Often turmeric powderis used to give yellow mustard an even more vibrant, bright color.

Yellow mustard is considered by most to be the best mustard for hotdogs and hamburgers, and it's used with many other foods as well.

Really? You Can Actually Make Your Own Mustard?

For those of us who think of mustard as that spicy condiment that comes in a bright yellow squeeze bottle, it probably never crossed our minds that we can easily make it at home!

Or, for some reason, when we've wondered how to make homemademustard, it seemed to be shrouded in spicy, culinary mystery. We wonder how inthe world does a person go about turning dry mustard powder or little roundmustard seeds into delicious 'liquid gold' with a kick?

Exactly what ingredients are in mustard that can create such aparty in our mouths? Could there possibly be a yellow mustard recipe that is simple tomake, with healthy ingredients, good enough to replace what we've always boughtfrom the grocery store?

And if so, what is mustard made from? Howdo you make mustard? We're here to answer thesequestions! We’d love to share with you the yellow mustard recipe that ourfamily really enjoys! Ready to make some mustard?

But First, a Bit of 'Mustard Science' To Keep in Mind
When Making Your Own Mustard

Like we mentioned before, this golden child of the condimentfamily can seem just a bit mysterious at times. Here are a few things to keepin mind...

The first thing to consider when making mustard is the type ofmustard seeds that you choose to use. White or yellow mustard seeds result in amellower mustard. The darker seeds produce a hotter, spicy condiment.

Another consideration: when making your mustard, the temperaturesyou use in preparing it matters. It may seem a bit counter-intuitive at first,but here goes:Hot liquids actually reduce and neutralize the heat and pungency of the finished mustard. If you prefer a very pungent, spicy mustard, use cold liquids and skip the simmering that our yellow mustard recipe requires.

And vinegar, whatever kind you choose, not only adds excellent flavor, butalso the vinegar's acid helps to retain and preserve the spice level of the mustard.

Also, some have asked about bitterness in their homemade mustard. It’snot unusual for unmatured mustard to have a hint of bitterness, sometimes more,sometimes less. Don't be discouraged by this. Freshly made mustard is at itsbitterest for at 48 hours after you've made it.Mustard needs to mature for a few days, and as it does, the bitterness will diminish and fadeaway.

Allow your mustard to mature for several days. If the spiciness of your mustard is still a bit hotter than you'd like, simply put it back into a sauce pan and simmer it overlow heat, stirring often, until it becomes more mellow. Then, cool your mustard and return it to its serving container.I've done this on several occasions. Enjoy!

Our "Mise en Place" for Making Mustard Is Laid Out

Here's Our Mellow Yellow Mustard Recipe

What Tastes Good With Mustard?

Mustard enhances the flavors of different foods! This yellow mustard recipe goes especially well with ham, lamb, pork, chicken, and other types of meat, or served with a charcuterie board arrayed with deli meats and cheeses. And for most of us, hamburgers, sausages,and of course, hot dogs, are not complete without it!

It's a great ingredientin potato salad dressing and other salad dressings likeClassic Macaroni Salad.Some love mustard on their eggs, in sandwiches,deviled eggs, relishes, barbecue sauces and marinades, and more.

This yellow mustardrecipe is delicious used in a cheesy mustard dip for freshly baked soft pretzels. Thereare so many different and delicious ways to use mustard! We've hardly scratchedthe surface.

Our mellow yellow mustard recipe can almost be considered an all-purpose condiment, dressed up, or dressed down, enjoyed with both casual and fine dining alike.

Does Your Mustard Not Taste Quite Like You'd Expected?
Don't Give Up! It Just Might Need Some More Time...

I get this! Some batches may not turn out exactly as others. Its pungency, piquant, or sometimes bitterness may seem a bit daunting. If you’re new to making homemade mustard, please don’t let this discourage you.

I enjoy kitchenscience, but I'll admit, when I started making mustard, there were times that ithad me a bit stumped. I can alter its spicy heat, but like others have asked,what can I do if my yellow mustard recipe tastes slightly bitter? The answer tothis question is that, most likely, it needs a bit more time to mature.

• Did you soak your mustard powder and water for at least 30minutes before adding the vinegar and other ingredients? This will help to reduce bitterness.
• Have you allowed your mustard several days to mature? Bitterness will slowly dissipate as the mustard ripens and matures.

• Did you use yellow (or white) mustard seeds? The darker the variety of seeds, the more pungent the flavor.

You may also be wondering; do mustard seeds go bad? Mustard seeds and dry mustard powder have a relatively long shelf life, which some say is 3 to 4 years or longer, so age is unlikely to be the culprit. Rather,factors like seed variances,soaking liquids, temperature, and spice blends all play roles in affecting the mustard's final flavors.

So, expect that your freshly made mustard might initially have a hint of bitterness. And rest assured that applying both heat and maturation time to the mustard making process will change mustard’s character. Just be sure to allow your homemade yellow mustard recipeplenty of time to settle and mature before its debut at your next gathering.

Extending the Shelf Life of Mustard

Can you freezemustard to extend its shelf life? Yes, mustard can be frozen for up to ayear.We’ve frozen mustard in a reusable mustard squeeze bottle. Anothergreat way to freeze mustard is in ice cube trays. When frozen, place cubes inan airtight container. You can then thaw the amount that you want as you needit.

Your homemade mustard can also be preserved by canning. Process the jars using the hot waterbath method. Canned homemade mustard would made aunique gift for foodie friends.

A Taste of Mustard History: How Old Is Mustard?

Mustard, which growsas a wild plant, was first used as food and medicine, then as a flavorenhancing condiment. Interestingly, it's one of the world’s oldestcondiments!

The mustard plant and its seeds are mentioned in the Bible, as well as in other writings of the ancient Greeks and Romans. It was also found in archaeological excavations dating back to 1800 BC.

Historians date thebeginning of cultivation and harvest of mustard in India around 3,000 B.C. According to theEncyclopediaBritannica, the earliest written evidence of mustard being used as afood comes from ancient Indian and Sumerian texts that stretch back this to era.

Roman chefs used togrind mustard seeds with grape juice, known as "must", into a spicypaste known as "mustum ardens".

The Anglo-Normans called it"mustarde", the Old French "mostarde", and in modern Frenchit's "moutarde".

The name was anglicized to “mustard” which we stilluse today.

Health Benefits of Yellow Mustard

Historically Recognized Health Benefits of Yellow Mustard

Even before mustard was used as a condiment, the effectivehealth benefits of yellow mustard had been discovered.

As early as the 5th century BCE, the Greeks prized this prolific plant for its antiseptic properties and ability to stimulate blood circulation.

The renowned scientist, Pythagoras, found that the essential oils extracted from mustard, when applied to a wound, pulled toxins from the body, this led him to use mustard as a treatment for scorpion stings.

Hippocrates, thephysician, applied mustard plasters to chests and let the heat from the dressing loosen phlegm and ease breathing.

For centuries,people worldwide have cultivated varieties of the mustard plant for use inherbal remedies and for the maintenance of good health.

Among other uses, mustard was used as a poultice forbronchitis and toothaches. It was made into ointments for skin inflammations,and the seeds ground into powder were used as an additive to a soothing,sleep-inducing bath.

Health Benefits of Yellow Mustard Used Today

Is mustard good for you? Yes, it is!Mustard is rich in protein, fiber, vitamin C and many of the B-complex vitamins.It contains several antioxidants that provide various health benefits that are believed to include anti-cancer, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties.

Additionally, mustard includes minerals that are important for good health, such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium.

Health benefits of yellow mustard include relief from muscular pains and respiratory disorders. Health benefits of mustard are also believed to be effective in treating cancer and diabetes. Mustard is used torelieve body aches and muscle spasms, relieve respiratory disorders,strengthen bones and teeth,and aid in metabolism. Some use it for soothing colds and coughs and even to encourage hair growth.

All parts of the mustard plant are edible and beneficial including the seeds, leaves and flowers.Even mustard root can be used as a root vegetable, roasted, steamed, stir-fried, and sautéed, sliced into soups or stews, or served alongside braised meats or roasted chicken.

Mustard is a Superfood!

This healthy condiment is so good for you! It's low incalories, high in flavor, and can be enjoyed in so many ways. If someone asks you, ismustard good for you? You can assure them that, with all these health benefitsof yellow mustard, as well as black mustard, it's no wonder that mustard hasbeen considered a superfood!

We hope that you give our yellow mustard recipe a try!