Creamy 4-Ingredient Honey Mustard Dressing

Whisk together this easy 4-ingredient honey mustard dressing with just Dijon mustard, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, & honey! A lightened-up alternative to store-bought dressing that’s deliciously sweet, tangy, & so simple. Enjoy it as a creamy honey Dijon salad dressing, as a spread on sandwiches, or as a dipping sauce.

For more lightened-up salad dressing remakes, try my creamy French dressing or Italian dressing!

What is honey mustard dressing made of?

This honey Dijon dressing is basically a honey mustard vinaigrette, made with Dijon mustard & honey, combined with oil & vinegar. It’s deliciously light & creamy—but without the mayo or yogurt used in other creamy dressings, like Thousand Island or ranch dressing. And, unlike most store-bought options, this homemade version is less processed, lower in sugar, egg-free, & additive-free. And I think it tastes even better than store-bought!

Honey Dijon Dressing Ingredients

• Dijon Mustard. I prefer a honey Dijon mustard dressing because it has a sharper, tangier, more intense flavor than yellow mustard, and it adds a creamier texture. Dijon is also made white wine and vinegar, both of which pair beautifully in a salad dressing or vinaigrette!
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil. Since extra-virgin olive oil is unrefined, it’s a great option for salad dressings because it has a richer flavor than refined options like pure or light olive oil. But you can really use any neutral oil you want in this healthy honey mustard dressing recipe—like avocado oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, etc. Just know that nut and seed oils like walnut or hazelnut oil will add their own strong flavor to your dressing.
• Apple Cider Vinegar. A bit of acid gives this simple 4-ingredient dressing the tangy, bright kick it needs! I prefer apple cider vinegar because of its subtly sweet flavor, or you can use lemon juice or white wine vinegar instead.
• Honey. The sweet flavor and sticky texture of honey makes this dressing deliciously balanced and creamy. Add 1-2 tablespoons if you prefer a less-sweet or lower-sugar dressing, or 3+ tablespoons if you like it sweeter!
• Salt & Pepper. These are optional seasonings you can add, depending on how salty you like your dressing and how salty your Dijon mustard already is. Always season to your taste!

Can I use yellow mustard instead of Dijon?

If you don’t have Dijon or if you want a milder flavor, you can make this honey mustard salad dressing with yellow mustard instead. A honey Dijon dressing can have an intense mustard-y bite, which I find delicious—but it may not be what you’re looking for. Dijon has a sharper, almost spicy flavor because it’s made with brown or black mustard seeds. Whereas yellow mustard seeds create a sweeter, more mellow flavor. Either can work in this recipe, or try it both ways!

How to Make the Easiest Honey Mustard Dressing at Home

1. In a bowl or measuring cup, whisk together Dijon mustard, extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice), and honey, until the mixture is integrated and smooth. Season to taste as needed.
2. Transfer the dressing into a bottle or mason jar and seal it with a lid. (I used this nifty mason jar with a pouring spout!)
3. Store DIY honey mustard dressing in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

For more recipes like this lightened-up honey dijon dressing, watch my Salad Dressing Remakes video!

For a Creamy Sauce or Dip

To make an even thicker & creamier honey mustard dipping sauce, try replacing the olive oil with ¼ cup avocado oil mayo (or any mayo), and reduce the vinegar to 1 Tbsp. Then enjoy it on everything!

Ways to Use Honey Mustard Dressing

I usually prep a double batch of this honey mustard salad dressing recipe because I use it up so fast! Whether you prep this as a dressing, sauce, or dip, there are so many different ways you can use it:

• Drizzled over salads—like a simple spinach & chickpea salad, a fresh corn & arugula salad, or my kale cobb salad.
• As a condiment to add flavor to sandwiches, burgers, or bowls.
• Baked onto proteins—like honey Dijon pork roast, chicken, or salmon.
• As a dip with crudite or raw vegetables, chicken tenders, French fries, crackers, or (my personal favorite) pretzels!