Ground Mustard Powder Substitute

Finding a good ground mustard powder substitute is as easy as taking a look at this list of simple alternatives! Whether you are looking for its signature bright yellow color or you need to add a touch of tang to a recipe, these ground mustard powder substitutes will get the job done!

Best Ground Mustard Powder Substitutes

Almost everyone knows what mustard is. The bright yellow bottle of classic mustard is a staple in many homes. Moreover, other varieties like Dijon mustard are favorites of many around the world.

While most people know what mustard is, most are not familiar with mustard powder. This may be the reason you find yourself looking for mustard powder substitutes. You may have jumped into a recipe only to find that – it calls for an ingredient you have never used.

Jump to:

• Best Ground Mustard Powder Substitutes
• What is Mustard Powder?
• What Does Mustard Powder Taste Like?
• What is Mustard Powder Used For?
• 1. Yellow Mustard
• 2. Dijon Mustard
• 3. Horseradish Powder
• 4. Horseradish Sauce
• 5. Wasabi Powder
• 6. Prepared Wasabi
• 7. Turmeric Powder
• 8. Chopped Arugula
• 9. Mustard Seed
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• 💬 Reviews

Not to worry! There are several substitutes you can use for mustard powder. Moreover, most likely one or two that you already have at home.

Before we dive into the best mustard powder alternatives, let’s learn what mustard powder is. This will help you better understand how to choose the best substitute for your recipe.

What is Mustard Powder?

While it may seem that the bright yellow mustard you buy for a BBQ is just a processed condiment, it actually comes from seeds. Mustard seeds.

Mustard seeds come from the mustard plant and are considered a spice. Fun fact, they are the second most commonly traded spice around the world!

There are also over 40 types of mustard plants that produce seeds. Black, brown, and white are the most common mustard seeds used in cooking though.

When using mustard seeds to cook they are commonly ground into mustard powder. Therefore, mustard powder is simply ground mustard seeds.

What Does Mustard Powder Taste Like?

Mustard seeds and mustard powder have a pungent flavor that offers a bit of acidity to dishes. This bit of acidity adds a wonderful tang to many dishes. Depending on the recipe, you may notice the tanginess of the mustard powder more or less.

What is Mustard Powder Used For?

The sharp bite of mustard powder is a great addition to many different recipes. It can be used to elevate the flavors in everything from pasta to meat.

Adding a bit of mustard powder to homemade mac & cheese adds the perfect tang that enhances the flavors of the cheese. Moreover, this versatile spice can be used in marinades, soups, sauces, and dressings.

1. Yellow Mustard

The easiest substitute for mustard powder is classic yellow mustard. It is the substitute that most home cooks will have on hand. Moreover, it is made from mustard seeds (or powder) and provides a close flavor to mustard powder.

Depending on the brand and how processed the mustard is you may find that it is milder in flavor than mustard powder.

The main difference between prepared mustard and mustard powder is the different textures. Mustard is a liquid or paste, while mustard powder is dry. Therefore, mustard can shift the overall texture of your recipe.

However, since many recipes calling for mustard powder have a liquid base (sauce, soup, dressing) the liquid form of mustard will not impact the consistency greatly.

Mustard powder is more concentrated; therefore, to achieve the same flavor you will need to use more mustard as a substitute. Use prepared mustard in a 3:1 ratio for mustard powder: 1 tablespoon of mustard = 1 teaspoon of mustard powder.

2. Dijon Mustard

If you want an easy substitute that has a bit more kick reach for Dijon mustard. Dijon mustard is prepared with mustard seeds and the addition of white wine. Therefore, it has a tangier flavor profile than classic mustard.

Dijon mustard can be used as an easy alternative to mustard powder for any recipe. Like classic mustard, the flavor is less concentrated than mustard powder.

Therefore, you will need a similar 3:1 ratio (1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard = 1 teaspoon mustard powder). If you don’t want it too tangy, start with a 2:1 swap and add more if desired.

3. Horseradish Powder

If you love the original tang of mustard powder, then horseradish powder is an excellent substitute! You may be familiar with horseradish as a sauce. Horseradish powder is the dry form of horseradish sauce.

The powdered form has all the same flavor benefits - a little bit of tang and a little bit of spice! When you want a close flavor match for mustard powder this is your best choice. It is also an easy one to find in the grocery store & to use.

Swap out mustard powder for a simple 1:1 ratio of horseradish powder in any recipe.

4. Horseradish Sauce

Like prepared mustard, you can use prepared horseradish as a substitute too. Horseradish sauce is often more pungent than the powdered version.

Therefore, begin with only half a measurement: ½ teaspoon of horseradish sauce = 1 teaspoon mustard powder.

5. Wasabi Powder

You may be familiar with the spicy green paste that is served with sushi, but what about the dry version? Wasabi powder is just like horseradish powder mentioned above. It is a powdered version of prepared wasabi.

Wasabi powder and horseradish powder come from the same family. Therefore, they have similar flavor properties. This makes wasabi another good substitute for mustard powder.

Wasabi powder is spicier than both horseradish powder and mustard powder though. So, if you do not like a spicy kick to your food – best to avoid this alternative.

A little bit of wasabi powder goes a long way! Begin with only a ½ teaspoon of wasabi powder for 1 tablespoon of mustard powder! You can always add more, but once the wasabi powder is in a recipe it is hard to dimmish the taste.  

6. Prepared Wasabi

If you are a regular sushi connoisseur, then you may have wasabi at your house. If so, you can use prepared wasabi as a mustard powder substitute.

Like wasabi powder, it has quite a kick, so you want to start with a smaller amount. However, prepared wasabi is less concentrated than the powdered form so you can use a bit more. Start with ⅓ the measurement of mustard powder: 1 teaspoon of wasabi = 1 tablespoon of mustard powder.

*When using wasabi powder or prepared wasabi keep in mind that both are green. Therefore, it can impact the overall look of a recipe.

7. Turmeric Powder

While the tang of mustard powder is often desired in a substitute, not everyone loves the taste. Therefore, you may be looking for a milder substitute.

Turmeric is a great alternative to mustard powder when you want a softer flavor. Popular in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine, this bright yellow spice has a warm flavor with a mild bitterness.

It works well as a mustard powder substitute because it will enrich the flavor of your dish without the acidity you find in the mustard powder. The result will be a less pungent flavor that is still rich.

The only downside of turmeric powder is that its color is distinct. If you do not want a bright yellow dish, then look for a different alternative.

This easy substitute can be used in a 1:1 substitution for mustard powder in any recipe.

8. Chopped Arugula

This fresh substitute for mustard powder may surprise you – freshly chopped arugula! This leafy green vegetable that is popular in salads has a lovely bitter and spicy flavor profile. A flavor profile that closely resembles the taste of mustard seed.

If you have a handful of arugula on hand, go ahead and chop it up. Chop it as finely as you can until it starts to form a paste. This paste can be used in place of mustard powder in several recipes.

While you can use this alternative in any recipe it is best used in its raw form. Once it is heated the leaves will wilt and can shift the flavor a bit. Therefore, try it as a mustard powder substitute in salad dressings or other cold dishes.

1 tablespoon chopped arugula = 1 teaspoon of mustard powder

9. Mustard Seed

Since mustard powder is simply ground-up mustard seed, mustard seed is the best overall substitute. If you have mustard seeds in your pantry, or that is all that’s available at the grocery store, grab a handful to grind up.

Mustard seeds can be easily ground in a food processor. If you have the time and tools (a mortar and pestle) you can even grind up the seeds by hand.

Once you have a finely ground powder you can use it exactly as the recipe calls for in a 1:1 swap.

Cooking Substitutes	Herb & Spice Substitutes	Baking Substitutes
Apple Cider Vinegar	Bay Leaf	Tapioca Starch
Sesame Oil	Rosemary (Fresh & Dried)	Cornmeal
Marsala Wine	Turmeric	Potato Starch
Dijon Mustard	Celery Salt	Coconut Sugar
Horseradish	Tarragon	Buttermilk
Red Wine Vinegar	Cardamom	Brown Sugar
Masa Harina	Paprika	Arrowroot Powder
Cream Cheese	Chili Powder	Cornflour
Creme Fraiche	Cilantro	Shortening
Worcestershire Sauce		Vanilla Extract
Shallots		Lemon Extract

No matter which ground mustard powder substitute you choose, your recipe is sure to be delicious! Come back and tell us how it turned out by leaving a comment below!

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