The Difference Between Dijon Mustard And Yellow Mustard

What are your favorite condiments and seasoning preferences? Are you a ketchup lover or do you typically reach for the mustard? What about mayonnaise? Do you prefer mustard over mayonnaise? 

Each of these questions boils down to a matter of personal preference. Everyone has different preferences when it comes to using condiments. Condiments can be used for any number of different things – from dipping sauces to marinades and everything in between. 

The thing is not all mustard is created equally. There are different varieties of mustard and they are quite different when it comes down to it.

What is the difference between Dijon mustard and yellow mustard? The biggest difference is the seasoning and flavor of the two types. Dijon mustard is a pale yellow color, while yellow mustard is bright yellow. Dijon is creamier than yellow mustard and contains less vinegar. The taste of Dijon mustard, however, is spicier than yellow mustard because it’s made with black mustard seeds while yellow mustard is made with white and yellow seeds.

In this guide, we will cover the similarities and differences between yellow mustard and Dijon mustard. While they are both labeled mustard, they are really quite different. We will talk about each of these on an individual level and then round it up with a summary of the differences. 

Keep reading to learn just how Dijon mustard and yellow mustard differ and how they are the same. 

The Difference Between Dijon and Yellow Mustard

Mustard is considered a condiment. It’s perhaps a staple for things like cheeseburgers and hot dogs. All mustard falls into a single category. All mustard is made with mustard seeds that are then manipulated into a sauce. 

There are a lot of different varieties of mustard. Yellow mustard, spicy mustard, and Dijon mustard are perhaps some of the most common varieties. 

Here are a few of the different types of mustard. 

• Dijon mustard
• French mustard
• Yellow mustard
• Spicy mustard 
• Hot mustard
• Stone-ground mustard
• Honey mustard

There are even more types of mustard than this. Each of them is made in its own way. They might have different types of mustard seeds or seasonings or they might be processed wholly different from each other. 

As we progress through this guide, we will cover first Dijon mustard and then yellow mustard on an individual level. We will give you a good overview of each one so you understand them separately. We will then bring together a summary of comparison to give you a simple reference point to understanding the differences. 

Let’s begin! 

Dijon Mustard

If you couldn’t quite tell from the name, Dijon mustard is a French form of mustard.

It is used as a common condiment and comes in a slightly pasty form. It’s commonly used for glazes, sauces, and sandwich toppings. 

Dijon mustard is a pale yellow color, unlike the bright yellow of yellow mustard. It’s slightly creamy and pasty and doesn’t have a watery base as it doesn’t have as much vinegar in it as yellow mustard does. 

Dijon mustard is made with spicy brown and black mustard seeds. It is then flavored with verjuice, which is almost like wine made from young grapes. The flavor is slightly more intense and potentially even has a little bit of a kick, although not like spicy mustard does. 

Dijon mustard comes in a condiment bottle or jar and has a lot of uses – although potentially different uses than that of yellow mustard. Once you open your Dijon mustard, it should be stored in the fridge and is typically recommended to use within 6 months. 

You can also make your own Dijon mustard from scratch if you prefer. 

Uses for Dijon Mustard

Dijon mustard is pretty unique. While it was originated in France, it’s now popular in many areas of the world and serves a unique purpose. Dijon mustard is perhaps more versatile than yellow mustard because it can be manipulated into various sauces and dressings quite easily. 

Here are some unique ways that Dijon mustard can be used. 

• Sandwich topping
• Marinade mix
• Mix with oil or vinegar to make salad dressing
• Dijonnaise (Dijon mustard and mayonnaise mix)
• Turn into flavorful honey mustard
• Make glaze for various dishes
• Use as a rub
• Yellow mustard replacement
• Add to cheese dip 
• Various sauces

There are a lot of uses for Dijon mustard. It could easily be described as one of the most versatile condiments. There are very few condiments that can be used strategically across the board for things from salads to sauces and everything in between. You certainly can’t stretch that far with ketchup. 

Yellow Mustard

Yellow mustard is also commonly known as American mustard. It’s bright yellow and is most commonly known for its capabilities as a condiment.

Mustard is a classic topping to things like cheeseburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, sandwiches, and more. 

Interestingly enough, mustard also possesses a lot of health benefits and additional other uses that you may never have considered outside of food.

Mustard can be used for things like sore throats, odor removal, decongestant, face mask, hair conditioner, burn relief, and stain remover. 

Yellow mustard is made from white and yellow mustard seeds that come from the mustard plant. The seeds used in yellow mustard can be whole, ground, cracked, or bruised when the mustard is made. 

The seeds are mixed with water as well as vinegar, lemon juice, salt, spices, and other flavorings. The mixture also may contain wine, but this is not typical of yellow mustard. Yellow mustard is most known as a condiment. 

Uses for Yellow Mustard

While yellow mustard is most known as a condiment, it can be used for a variety of other things as well. This condiment is also commonly mixed into recipes, whether it’s to make a sauce or to simply add some additional flavor to the recipe. 

It’s versatile in its own ways. While it doesn’t span as far across the spectrum like Dijon mustard, it still has many uses. 

Here are many common uses for yellow mustard. 

• Condiment
• Potato salad
• Macaroni salad
• Deviled eggs
• Marinade
• Used to make other types of mustard (spicy, honey, etc.)
• Add to soups
• Egg salad
• Dipping sauce mixes
• Pretzel dip & other dips

As you can see, yellow mustard still has a lot of useful options. There are recipes for using yellow mustard as a salad dressing. It takes quite a bit of other additives to get to that point since yellow mustard is fairly thick and doesn’t host a salad flavor. 

The unique thing about yellow mustard is that it works great for coatings, sauces, dips, and condiment-type uses. It’s a popular macaroni salad, potato salad, and deviled egg mixture. 

With American yellow mustard, you can make all of the classic American BBQ and picnic dishes that so many people love. 

Comparison Review

When it comes right down to it, I think we can agree that yellow mustard and Dijon mustard are very different. While they both come from mustard seeds and both can be used for very similar types of uses, that is about where the similarities end. 

Dijon mustard is bold and flavorful with even a bit of a kick to it. It’s creamy and slightly grainy and can be turned into any number of sauces, glazes, toppings, dressings, rubs, or flavorful additives. Dijon mustard has a broad spectrum of uses and the flavor is quite unique. 

The obvious differences between Dijon mustard and yellow mustard relate to flavor and color but also to the ingredients. While Dijon is pale yellow with a classy flavor, it’s made with wine to spruce the flavor and draw out the intensity of the flavor. 

Yellow mustard has a strong flavor and odor. It’s made to be creamy but can often require being shaken or stirred because the vinegar or oil in it can separate. It’s used primarily for classic American dishes. It’s pretty versatile in its own right but not in as broad of a manner. 

Yellow mustard is made with oil and vinegar and salt rather than with wine. The flavor is more direct and less exotic. Yellow mustard is also characterized by its bright yellow color. 

Related Questions

We hope that you find this guide to understanding the difference between yellow mustard and Dijon mustard to be valuable and informative. There are some very distinct differences between these two forms of mustard. 

We invite you to check out the following question and answer section. There may be some additional information that you will find helpful to your cause. 

Can You Make Mustard at Home?

You can make homemade mustard of many different varieties at home. Whether you prefer yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, honey mustard, or spicy mustard, you can make any of these in your own kitchen. 

Do All Types of Mustard Have Health Benefits?

It is the mustard seed that gives mustard its health benefits. It’s safe to say that any type of mustard would carry similar benefits. However, we caution you on getting too comfortable with any mustard as some of the added ingredients of variations could not be as friendly. Yellow mustard is the clearest form. 

Can You Store Mustard at Room Temperature?

If you purchase mustard from the store, it’s typically recommended that once you break the seal you store it in the fridge. Prior to breaking the seal, it’s just fine at room temperature.

You CAN store it at room temperature but it lasts much longer in the fridge. 

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