If you're looking for a way to add some zing to your dishes but don't have any mustard seeds on hand, don't worry! We have a list of the 10 best substitutes for mustard seeds! Like other types of mustard, caraway seeds, horseradish and more.
There are plenty of substitutes that can give your food that same flavor and kick.
Whether you're making a marinade, dressing, pickling vegetables, or putting together a seafood boil, these alternative ingredients will do the trick.
I love having back-ups of my kitchen staples on hand in the case I run out of that ingredient, because, let's face it, no one wants to run into that just before making a recipe. This is why I have substitutes for harrisa, substitutes for lemon pepper, substitute for mint, and even substitutes for chia seeds on hand at all time!
So let's dive in and discover the best substitute for mustard seeds.
SUBSTITUTE FOR MUSTARD SEEDS
In most dishes that require mustard seeds, I seem to get away with using mustard powder. It's a great alternative for just about any dish!
To use it, scoop your desired amount and mix it in a small bowl with a few drops of water to create a paste if you're looking for a wet alternative. Otherwise, stick with the powder for simplicity.
Whole grain mustard is a thick, course texture paste that's perfect to add to dressings, stews, crockpot meals, and sandwiches!
Remaining in the mustard family for alternatives to create the best flavor substitute for mustard seeds!
Go for whole grain mustard when you can, because time you add texture to a dish, it's an extra element of surprise!
The third best substitute is Dijon! With it's strong flavor and slightly course texture it adds the mustard flavor you're seeking in the seeds, while holding strong to it's texture.
Dijon is a great alternative to in coleslaw and other salad dressings.
4. Horseradish
Nothing beats a good horseradish! Horseradish is a white paste that's extremely strong in flavor. A little bit of horseradish goes a long way and make an amazing substitute for mustard seeds in most dishes.
I use it as a substitute in potato salads, salad dressings, and stews.
Sometimes when all you have on hand is yellow mustard, that's the perfect choice. Use the same amount that the recipe calls for and increase as needed.
Be mindful that your dish will turn yellow, or have a yellow tint to it, in case you'd rather go for another substitute instead.
6. Wasabi
Whether you need the ingredient in a dry form or a wet paste, wasabi is a great option, since it comes in both forms! It has a bright green color to it and works great as an alternative in replicating the strong tangy flavor profile.
Wasabi is primarily used in Asian cuisine to add a drop of strong horseradish-like flavor. Most popularly found as a must-have side to sushi.
Though, you'll have to tread lightly with wasabi since a little bit goes a long way. Use a very small serving of it, then increase as needed.
To replicate the texture of mustard seeds, go with caraway seeds, which are the perfect replica!
Caraway seeds are a sharp and nutty flavor with a slight bitterness. They pair well with a variety of dishes, soups, stews, and dressing!
Pickling spice is already packed with flavor and everything you for the perfect brine.
When you're out of one of the go-to ingredients to pickle your veggies, you can easily rely on replacing it with pickling spice that has everything you need!
You can add and adjust the flavor as you'd like, and add other spices and herbs.
My go-to additional spices and herbs to add to pickling veggies are: black pepper, fresh garlic, fresh onion, and fresh or dried dill.
You won't be missing mustard seeds any more!
This bright yellow dried spice is the perfect replica if you're more sensitive to the strong flavors of mustard, horseradish, or wasabi.
Turmeric is a popular spice used in a variety of Indian and Middle eastern dishes to create a subtle note of mustard. It has an earthy and peppery flavor, but it's most known for it's bright yellow color that can transform any dish to the most beautiful shade of yellow.
10. Cumin Seeds
Cumin seeds are a good alternative if you are looking for a slightly different taste than mustard but want the flavor to be just as pungent. Cumin has a deeper note than mustard and not as briny.
DISHES THAT PAIR WELL WITH MUSTARD SEEDS
Seafood
There are a ton of seafood recipes that use mustard seeds! One of my absolute favorites is this seafood boil that sure pleases every crowd. For an easier yet just as delicious boil, go for this easy crab boil. With just a few main ingredients you can make lasting memories at your next gathering. You can easily use the list above to substitute for mustard seeds in any seafood dish!
Chicken
Mustard chicken is a an absolute delicious dish, but if you're out of seeds, these substitutes are perfect to use in this dish.
Side Dishes
Potato salads and mustard go great together! Whether you're using one of the substitutes like whole-grain mustard or the mustard seeds themselves, they add great texture and flavor to many side dishes including a good potato salad!
Dressing & Sauces
Choose one of your favorite substitutes above to pair best with the type of sauce you're going for! Like this mustard gravy that's packed with flavor and a fun twist to the traditional recipe. Or, make your own pickled mustard sauce!
Pickling
Much like using mustard seeds in pickling, you can also go for using pickling spices, caraway seeds, or a few scoops of whole-grain mustard. These alternatives work on anything from pickles to pickled fennel!
Snacks
Have you ever made crackers with mustard seeds? These pecan cheddar crackers use mustard seeds that can be subbed using one of the many options above. My vote would be caraway seeds.
FAQ
The best substitutes for mustard seed in pickles are mustard powder, whole grain mustard, Dijon mustard, yellow mustard, caraway seeds, or pickling spices. These provide the best flavor alternative while not taking over the flavor, allowing the pickle itself to shine.
Yes. You can use cumin seeds as an alternative. The flavor varies but they are just as strong and pungent in flavor and therefore provide a good alternative for most dishes. Cumin seeds are mainly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine and provide a great deep note to dishes.
It adds a sharp tangy note that adds a lot of strong flavor to any recipe. If you're adding it to a recipe where you bite down on the seeds, it adds extra texture. Otherwise, it's added in soups, stews, or pickling veggies where the flavor comes in without hunting down the seeds for the flavor.
Ground mustard and mustard seeds are both from the mustard plant, but they have different properties. Mustard seeds are the whole seeds of the plant, while ground mustard is made by grinding the seeds into a powder. Because it's ground, it's more potent and has a stronger flavor than whole seeds. Ground mustard is often used in cooking to add flavor to dishes, while whole mustard seeds are used in pickling and as a spice in stews and soups. Overall, the main difference between ground and seeds is their texture and intensity of flavor.
CONCLUSION
So there you have it, folks! Whether you're out of mustard seeds or just looking to switch things up, there are plenty of delicious ingredients to choose from to substitute for mustard seeds. From horseradish to turmeric to other types of mustard, and our full list of other options.
So go ahead and get creative in the kitchen – who knows, you might just stumble upon your new favorite condiment!
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