Whole grain mustard is made using mustard seeds that have been ground into a paste that can then be used as a condiment or additional flavour booster in a range of dishes.
Mustard is a popular condiment in the west as mustard plants are European native. But compared to regular mustard, whole grain mustard is often harder to find as it is a more specialised mustard variety.
Our 3 Substitutes for Whole Grain Mustard
Whole grain mustard has a high fibre content as the mustard seeds are not crushed completely.
Instead, they are crushed just enough to start forming a paste but still provide a slightly crunchy textured mustard.
As the seeds are partly crushed, whole grain mustard has the slight bitterness of the whole seeds as well as the sweet tanginess of the paste. This balance makes it all the more useful in a range of recipes.
Here are our top 3 whole grain mustard substitutes:
1) Horseradish Sauce
Some may think that the go-to substitution for whole grain mustard should be another mustard. But the horseradish sauce is made from horseradish which is part of the mustard family. As such, horseradish sauce has very similar characteristics to mustard.
It has a strong flavour reminiscent of whole grain mustard, which lasts on your tongue even after you have finished eating.
Horseradish sauce also includes vinegar, unlike whole grain mustard. This vinegar is used to help tame the horseradish heat, so if you like the species of mustard, use a horseradish that doesn’t use as much vinegar.
In most cases, horseradish will be smooth and without much texture. However, some brands purposely leave bits of chopped horseradish in their sauce to create a dynamic condiment if you want that standard whole grain mustard crunch.
Make Your Own
If you have time, you can make homemade horseradish with a few simple ingredients: horseradish (obviously), honey, vinegar and whatever species you like to add heat.
2) Yellow Mustard
Perhaps the most accessible mustard on this list, yellow mustard is cheap, easy to find, and you probably already have some to hand in your pantry.
Because the mustard seeds have been fully crushed into a thick paste, there is not the same bitter heat in yellow mustard, which is perfect for anyone who finds whole grain mustard too strong.
Yellow mustard’s main flavour point is that of a mild tang with a slight tartness to it. This balance is what makes it such a popular condiment for burgers. The aroma is also sharp enough to add to your eating experience rather than overwhelm it.
Tweak the Taste
If you like the different flavours of whole grain mustard, you can add some pepper and other more neutral species to give yellow mustard a similar kick.
3) Wasabi Sauce
Enjoyed more in Asian cuisine but readily available all over the world, wasabi sauce is technically part of the mustard family, so it only differs a little from whole grain mustard but still has comparable characteristics.
Wasabi sauce can provide the same kind of sharp hit as whole grain mustard. Though this taste is subtler so you will need to either use more of the sauce or add your own pepper to make it the same intensity as whole grain mustard.
Different Types of Wasabi You Can Also Use
Wasabi comes in a whole range of forms. Wasabi sauce is not always the easiest to find. However, so long as you use a wasabi-based paste, sauce or condiment, it will still have the signature wasabi kick.
Other Substitutes for Whole Grain Mustard
Whole grain mustard is a hard ingredient to replicate, especially if you are on a budget. So if you are not a fan of the above suggestions or need something a little cheaper, here are a few other whole grain mustard substitutes:
- Horseradish – As a root vegetable, horseradish is much more robust than when turned into a sauce. It will be sharper and hotter than whole grain mustard, but blend it with vinegar to help tamper the heat slightly.
- Wasabi Peas – If you blend them up yourself with a little vinegar, wasabi peas can create a crunchy, sharp paste similar to whole grain mustard. Though it will not be as tangy.
Summary
Whole grain mustard is a very specific type of mustard that has a combination of bitter heat and mild tang, taking on a crunchier consistency than most mustards. Other spices condiments that fall under the mustard family (such as horseradish) can work in place of whole grain mustard in most cases.