A tangy and smooth vegan honey mustard recipe, made without honey. It's a simple sauce that comes together using 6 simple ingredients that you most likely already have on hand!
It's an easy vegan dipping sauce that comes together in just a few minutes and is the perfect sauce to serve with this pretzel tofu dish. Try it and let me know what you think in the comments below!
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Is honey vegan?
No, honey is not vegan. It's a controversial topic because bees naturally produce honey. When we think about our local beekeepers we don't imagine any harm occurring, especially in comparison to factory farming but this isn't true. Suffering does occur in beekeeping/mass honey production.
For example:
- Queen bee's wings are commonly clipped to ensure she doesn't leave the hive. Due to this, the other bees remain as they are loyal to the queen.
- Sugar substitutes are put in place of the honey in the hive. This causes lack of nutrition that is vital to keep bees healthy.
- Bees are bred for increased productivity (more bees = more honey), which leads to disease and large amounts of bees dying.
Check out this article for more information on bees, honey, and honey production facts.
What can I substitute for honey in honey mustard?
Here are a few of my favorite vegan honey alternatives:
- Pure maple syrup
- Unhoney
- Agave nectar
- Humble Honee
Maple syrup is typically the go-to in most plant-based recipes and is easy to find. Use your personal favorite in this recipe and enjoy!
Ingredients for vegan "honey" mustard
- Dijon mustard: look for a vegan-certified mustard, or double-check the label to make sure it's made with vinegar (not wine) and without honey (see the blog section below for options).
- Pure maple syrup: a plant-based liquid sweetener that is used instead of honey. Substitute with any of the honey alternatives listed above!
- Lemon juice: added for a bit of tang.
- Spices: garlic, onion, and black pepper add additional notes of flavor.
Vegan Dijon mustards
Most dijon mustards out there are vegan, especially organic variations! If the product lists wine in the ingredient list, it's best to double-check the brands website or find one without it (as the refining process for a lot of wine contains animal byproducts). Additionally any mustard with honey listed is not vegan-friendly. Here are some of my favorite vegan Dijon mustards:
How to make vegan "honey" mustard sauce
- Combine all ingredients into a small bowl or airtight container and whisk together.
- Chill for 15-30 minutes (the taste only gets better as the flavors marinate together).
Substitutions and variations
- Dijon mustard: yellow mustard or spicy brown mustard also work. Additionally, a combination of both works too.
- Maple syrup: swap with agave syrup or vegan honey in place of honey or maple. Check out the blog post section above for honey alternative links.
- Lemon juice: substitute with apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar or white vinegar for a tangier honey mustard. For a spicier sauce, substitute with jalapeño juice (brine from a jar of jalapeños).
- Garlic powder & onion powder (or granules): I don't recommend substituting either of these ingredients as they add a bit of additional flavor to the sauce with a garlic kick. Omit for a mellow sauce.
- Black pepper: also used for an additional flavor, swap for a pinch of sea salt if sensitive to spice.
For a delicious creamy dressing to use on salads, add a tablespoon of tahini and water (to thin) and mix well. Optional: add additional garlic powder (or other spices) to taste.
What to serve with "honey" mustard
- Pair with crispy tofu or pretzel crusted tofu
- Use on grilled cheese, sandwiches, or paninis
- Add a bit of tahini and splash of water and use as a creamy salad dressing
- Drizzle on your favorite grain bowl
- Serve with roasted Brussels sprouts and/or roasted carrots
- Enjoy as a dipping sauce with sweet potato fries or roasted fingerling potatoes
- Pair with broccoli or green beans
Storage
I prefer to make the dip a few hours ahead so it can chill and the flavors fully immerse, but feel free to eat right away!
Store vegan honey mustard in the fridge in an airtight container for a week or so.
📋 Recipe
Easy Vegan Honey Mustard Recipe (Oil-Free)
Equipment
- whisk
- small jar with a lid
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic granules
- few dashes of black pepper
- dash of onion granules
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small mason jar or bowl (use something that can easily be covered) and whisk well. Place in the fridge to chill overnight (optional, but recommended for best results). Remove, stir, and enjoy!
Milo's Mom says
Thanks for all the great recipes, Morgan! I learn so much just reading your advice about how to substitute ingredients. I plan to try this yummy looking "honey" mustard and will definitely use maple syrup as a substitute 👍
Morgan says
Yay! I’m so glad you found it helpful. I hope you love the sauce! 🥰