Ingredients
For the Honey Mustard Dip:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (full-fat for best flavor)
- 3 tablespoons honey (pure honey, any variety)
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- Pinch of salt (optional)
- Pinch of black pepper (optional)
Optional Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (for heat)
Instructions
Step 1: Gather and Measure Ingredients
Measure out all your ingredients precisely. This ensures the perfect sweet-to-tangy ratio. If your honey has crystallized, gently warm it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds until it’s pourable again. Fresh lemon juice should be at room temperature for easier mixing.
Step 2: Combine the Base Ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise as your base. The mayo should be at room temperature for smoother blending—if it’s cold from the fridge, it will be thicker and harder to incorporate with the other ingredients.
Step 3: Add the Mustards
Add both the yellow mustard and Dijon mustard to the bowl with the mayonnaise. The combination of these two mustards creates complexity—the yellow brings familiar flavor while the Dijon adds sophistication and tang.
Step 4: Add Honey and Lemon Juice
Drizzle in the honey and add the fresh lemon juice. The honey provides sweetness and helps emulsify the mixture, while the lemon juice adds brightness and prevents the dip from being too rich or cloying.
Step 5: Whisk Until Smooth
Using a whisk or fork, blend all ingredients together vigorously for about 30-60 seconds until completely smooth, creamy, and uniform in color. You want no streaks of mayo or separation of honey. The mixture should be thick but pourable, similar to ranch dressing consistency. If it’s too thick, add a teaspoon of water or lemon juice; if too thin, add a bit more mayo.
Step 6: Taste and Adjust
This is the crucial step! Taste your honey mustard and adjust according to your preferences. Want it sweeter? Add more honey, 1 teaspoon at a time. Too sweet? Add more Dijon or a splash of lemon juice. Want more tang? Add more yellow mustard. Season with a tiny pinch of salt and pepper if desired, though the mustard usually provides enough saltiness.
Step 7: Rest for Best Flavor
While you can serve immediately, letting the dip rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to meld and develop. The honey and mustard will marry with the mayo, creating a more cohesive, rounded flavor. The dip will also thicken slightly as it chills.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Transfer to a serving bowl or keep in an airtight container. Give it a quick stir before serving as some separation may occur. Serve cold or at room temperature with your favorite dippers—chicken tenders, soft pretzels, vegetables, or use as a sandwich spread or salad dressing.
Notes
- Consistency control: If too thick, thin with water, lemon juice, or a splash of milk one teaspoon at a time. If too thin, add more mayo
- Sweetness level: Adjust honey to taste—some prefer a 2:1 honey-to-mustard ratio for sweeter dip, others prefer 1:1 for more tang
- Greek yogurt version: Substitute half the mayo with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier version with added protein
- Make it spicy: Add cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or horseradish to taste
- Vegan option: Use vegan mayonnaise and ensure honey is replaced with agave nectar or maple syrup
- Storage: Keeps refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks
- Dressing consistency: Add 1-2 tablespoons of water or olive oil to thin it into a pourable salad dressing
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 65
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 5mg