Cooking With Mustard? It’s the Secret Ingredient to Transforming Sauces

Mustard is, arguably, underappreciated. In a 2022 Tasting Table survey, mustard was rated as the participant’s *least* favorite condiment (ketchup came out on top, of course). But mustard—which is tangy, earthy, occasionally spicy, and sometimes bitter—actually has bags of potential as a cooking ingredient, and that’s why it features in several delicious vegan recipes. Check out a few of our favorites below. 

Is mustard vegan?

Mustard is one of the world’s most ancient condiments. In fact, research suggests it was likely used in Rome and India thousands of years ago. Traditionally, it’s made with mustard plant seeds, as well as vinegar, salt, and seasonings, which means it’s usually vegan.

That said, ingredients can vary, and honey mustard, of course, contains honey. But generally, you’ll find that most mustards on the shelves—including Dijon (originally from Dijon in France), whole grain mustard (made with whole mustard seeds), yellow mustard (a mild mustard also known as American mustard), and brown mustard (which is darker and more pungent than yellow)—are animal-free.

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How to cook with mustard: 11 vegan recipes 

You’ll usually find mustard on hot dogs, in sandwiches, and on burgers, but this sharp condiment can be used in so many different ways. It can help to enhance the flavor profile of a dish, act as a binder and stabilizer, and give a pleasant creamy texture to sauces and dressings. Read on to discover this ancient condiment’s true potential.

1 Healthy Vegan Tarragon Mustard Brussels Sprouts

These sautéed, crispy Brussels sprouts are elevated by a blend of sliced shallots, white wine vinegar, and the star ingredient—coarse-ground mustard. It’s a simple, healthful dish, but it’s delicious, satisfying, and bursting with flavor. Serve alongside baked tofu and brown rice.
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Alexandra Shytsman

2 Miso-Mustard Tempeh With Roasted Baby Bok Choy

This umami-rich dish features tasty pan-seared tempeh, which is marinated in a blend of mellow white miso, grainy mustard, and tamari. Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice (for extra zest) and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.
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3 Vegan Apple-Chickpea Kale Salad With Mustard-Dill Dressing

This flavorful salad—which is packed with warm zucchini, onions, chickpeas, Tuscan kale, crunchy apples, and thinly sliced red onions—features a standout tangy mustard-dill dressing. It’s set to become your new go-to lunchtime option.
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Zhoro Apostolov and Michelle Cehn

4 Easy Vegan Pasta Salad With Creamy Mustard Dressing

This macaroni salad blends celery, red onion, and bell pepper with al dente pasta for an easy, satisfying lunch. The star is the creamy dressing, which is made with vegan mayo, apple cider vinegar, and a zesty punch of yellow mustard.
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5 Shaved Brussels Sprouts With Creamy Mustard Sauce

Combine Brussels sprouts with a luscious blend of vegan mayo, whole-grain mustard, and seasoning to make this easy, flavor-packed dish, which comes together in just 15 minutes. It’s ideal as a tasty side dish, or it would also make a great addition to a Buddha bowl.
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Hannah Sunderani

6 Easy Vegan Tofu Egg Salad

You don’t need real eggs to make a delicious egg salad. Need proof? Try this recipe, which combines black salt, vegan mayo, nutritional yeast, Dijon mustard, and turmeric with tofu to make a vegan egg even better than the real thing.
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7 Vegan Greek Lemony Roasted Potatoes

Featuring crispy Yukon gold wedges bathed in a tangy, lemon-garlic Greek dressing, (made with agave and not one, but two different types of mustard) these golden roasted potatoes are about to become your new favorite side dish.
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Ashley McLaughlin

8Simple Herbed Vegan Potato Salad

Instead of heavy mayo, this dish features a refreshing lemony dressing, emulsified with mustard and parsley. Take it to the next level by adding vegan bacon bits, cucumber, or croutons for extra crunch and flavor.
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Hannah Kaminsky

9 The Best Vegan Macaroni and Cheese You’ll Ever Make

The title of this dish doesn’t lie. It has everything that makes macaroni and cheese truly great: a velvety cheese sauce (made with Dijon mustard!), a crispy breadcrumb topping, and plenty of comforting pasta. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll want to make it on repeat.
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Danielle Keith

10 Vegan Deviled Egg Potatoes

Another recipe that proves you really don’t need eggs. These deviled Yukon gold potatoes—filled with a blend of yellow mustard, vegan mayo, apple cider vinegar, salt, and turmeric—are just as delicious, and they’re totally cruelty-free.
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Gena Hamshaw

11 Vegan Sweet Potato Salad With Tempeh and Maple-Mustard Dressing

Featuring marinated tempeh and roasted sweet potatoes, this salad is simple, delicious, and nutritious. The best part is arguably the maple mustard dressing, which features a tasty mix of Dijon mustard and maple syrup.
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