I had never heard of creole mustard until I was making a classic po’boy sandwich that required this new ingredient.
I quickly discovered that almost all Louisiana po’boy sandwich recipes used creole mustard. It is basically a required ingredient if you want a real, authentic sandwich!
Needless to say, I didn’t have any creole mustard on hand. I searched my local grocery store and still couldn’t find this rare, southern ingredient.
I did a little research and found there are actually quite a few creole mustard substitutes that work wonderfully.
The best substitute for creole mustard is spicy brown mustard. It has the same spice and texture as creole mustard. German mustard is another fantastic substitute since it is made with horseradish, just like creole mustard. Dijon mustard will work as well and is likely a condiment you already have on hand.
Creole Mustard Substitutes
1. Spicy Brown Mustard
Is creole mustard the same as spicy brown mustard? Yes and No. Creole mustard is made from brown mustard seeds.
However, there are many different spices and flavorings added to the brown mustard that make it different from a standard brown mustard.
That being said, a good spicy brown mustard can be a fantastic substitute for creole mustard. To make spicy brown mustard, the seeds are soaked in vinegar just like creole mustard.
Choose the spiciest brown mustard possible by looking for a high quantity of pepper in the ingredient list.
I like to look for cayenne pepper specifically as this spice is in almost every creole mustard and will ensure your brown mustard tastes closest to creole. Primal Kitchen is my all time favorite brand.
2. Dijon Mustard
Dijon mustard is kind of like the French version of creole mustard. It is creamier and thicker than creole mustard but it has a similar flavor.
Dijon mustard is also pretty easy to find in the grocery store and is more popular than creole mustard which is one reason why I love this substitute.
Dijon mustard is not quite as acidic as creole mustard. Dijon mustard is made with verjus instead of vinegar. It is not quite as sharp as creole mustard which my kids definitely love.
I like to replace creole mustard with one tablespoon of dijon mustard mixed with ½ teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
This adds a nice kick to the mustard and makes the taste closer to classic creole mustard. Try Mailie mustard which has a nice spice already but is mild enough for kids.
Dijon mustard has about 12 calories per tablespoon making it very comparable nutritionally to creole mustard.
3. Whole Grain Mustard
The biggest difference between whole grain mustard and creole mustard is the texture of the mustard seeds.
Whole grain mustard has whole seeds while creole mustard seeds are ground slightly. Whole grain mustard is thicker and richer in flavor.
Creole mustard has more spice than whole grain mustard. I like to mix 1 tablespoon of whole grain mustard with ¼ tsp ground cayenne pepper and ½ tsp horseradish to make a great creole mustard substitute. Use this mix as a sandwich spread or as a flavorful dip.
Whole grain mustard is actually lower in calories than creole mustard with only 8 calories per tablespoon. While this amount is small, it is still notable!
My kids and I like whole grain mustard that is super thick so I often use Temeraire Whole Grain Mustard. You will definitely like it!
4. Hot Mustard
You may think of hot mustard as a Chinese food ingredient. However, it is also great as a creole mustard substitute.
I like to have a jar of Ka-Me mustard in my pantry since we order Chinese food often and I like a little spice. You can also just grab a few extra mustard packets next time you get Chinese food!
Hot mustard is made with brown mustard, just like creole mustard. It is often just ground mustard seeds mixed with water. No other spices are added! You can taste all the natural spice of the mustard seeds.
Use the same amount of hot mustard to replace creole mustard in any sandwich recipe. The smooth texture will spread onto the bread perfectly.
5. Yellow Mustard
You can find yellow mustard almost everywhere. It is the most common type of mustard which makes it a great substitute for creole mustard. However, the taste is a little different.
Yellow mustard has a mild taste. It is also very creamy and thick. It is definitely different than spicy, grainy creole mustard but can be a suitable substitute.
My kids far prefer Frenchs yellow mustard over creole mustard so this is a great substitute for my family.
Use the same amount of yellow mustard to replace creole mustard in any recipe. Try mixing ¼ tsp ground black pepper, ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper and ¼ tsp grated horseradish to one tablespoon of yellow mustard to make it more comparable to creole mustard.
Yellow mustard has about 12 calories per tablespoon so it is a little lower than creole mustard. It does have more carbohydrates and sugar with 4 grams per tablespoon.
6. Horseradish Sauce
Horseradish is one of the ingredients in creole mustard. This distinctive taste makes creole mustard spicy and strong.
You can replace creole mustard with straight Beaver brand horseradish sauce to make a delicious sandwich, which I have done many times.
Horseradish sauce is a spreadable sauce that is spicy and pungent. It has a different taste than creole mustard but will liven up your sandwich in a pinch. Use the same amount of horseradish sauce to replace creole mustard.
Horseradish sauce does have more calories than mustard with about 48 calories per tablespoon. It is also higher in fat with about 1 gram and 8 grams of sugar.
7. Stone Ground Mustard
Is stone ground mustard the same as creole mustard? Not quite. Both stone ground mustard and creole mustard are made with partially ground mustard seeds. They have a similar texture but the taste is slightly different.
Creole mustard is spicier since it has horseradish, herbs and spices mixed in. You can add ¼ tsp grated horseradish and ¼ tsp ground black pepper to a tablespoon of stone ground mustard to make it closer to creole mustard.
Look for spicy stone ground mustard which will have a flavor closer to creole mustard.
Brown stone ground mustard is also best and my family really likes this Beaver brand brown mustard.! Use it to replace creole mustard in any sandwich recipe you’d like!
8. Honey Mustard
Honey mustard is much sweeter than creole mustard. It has almost no spice and is also made with yellow mustard seeds which are naturally sweeter than brown mustard seeds.
While the flavor is different from creole mustard, it can be a good substitute in a pinch.
Replace creole mustard with one tablespoon of honey mustard mixed with ½ tsp white vinegar and ¼ tsp ground black pepper. I love this mix which has a perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
Use this mix as a perfect sandwich spread or dipping sauce. This is a good substitute for creole mustard for those who want a little less spice and a little more sweetness. Sweeter mustards are always a hit in my house, especially simple Heinz honey mustard.
9. German Mustard
German mustard is a little different than a traditional, plain mustard. It has additional ingredients added to the mustard mix like horseradish.
This adds a lot of flavor and also some extra spice to the mustard. This is perfect for using in place of creole mustard!
German mustard is made from black and brown mustard seeds. It is just as spicy as creole mustard thanks to the grated horseradish that is added in.
Replace creole mustard with the same amount of German mustard. Your po boy will be just as flavorful!
I have used Whole Foods German mustard on many Louisiana style sandwiches and no one even knows the difference!
10. Homemade Creole Mustard
Creole mustard is actually very easy to make. Making your own mustard is easy and gives you a fantastic, fresh flavored condiment that you are sure to love.
Make a big batch and keep it in the fridge for up to six months. You will never run out of creole mustard again! (Easy homemade recipe below.)
What is Creole Mustard?
Creole mustard is commonly found in the Southern United States. It is made from brown mustard seeds that have been soaked in vinegar and horseradish before being finely ground.
The ground mustard seeds are then mixed with spices such as paprika, garlic powder, ground pepper, onion powder, turmeric and allspice.
Sometimes herbs like basil and thyme are added to the creole mustard. Brown sugar is occasionally used to sweeten it and add a deep, brown color.
Every creole mustard recipe is a little different but they all have that spicy, tangy, grainy taste that is unique and exciting.
What is Creole Mustard Used For?
Creole mustard is a classic southern ingredient. It is very common in cajun cooking. It is the typical spread used for Louisiana Po’Boy sandwiches and adds a distinct, signature taste.
Creole mustard can be used as a dip or served as a sauce for seafood dishes like crab cakes or crayfish.
It makes a great addition to any charcuterie board or meat board. Creole mustard is often turned into a creole remoulade sauce and served with meat. The possibilities are endless!
Is Creole Mustard Healthy?
Mustard is usually consumed in small quantities as a condiment so it is not associated with any major health benefits. However, it is low calorie, low fat and is a healthier choice compared to other condiments like mayonnaise.
Mustard seeds have been used as an herbal remedy to detoxify the body. Different parts of the mustard plant can help manage diabetes, prevent certain cancers and also repel poison.
Creole mustard, specifically, is a fairly healthy choice of sauce. Here is a quick look at the nutritional information for one tablespoon of creole mustard.
| Calories | 30 |
| Fat | 0 grams |
| Carbs | 3 grams |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
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Final Considerations
There are lots of great substitutes for creole mustard. Some options are spicy while others are sweeter. You are sure to find the perfect substitute for those times when creole mustard just isn’t around. Let me know your favorites!
Easy Homemade Creole Mustard
My homemade creole mustard recipe is best when it has a day or two to sit. This enhances the flavor and makes it have an even more powerful taste.
Ingredients
- ½ pound brown mustard seeds
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp shredded horseradish
- 1 tsp Franks hot sauce
- ¼ tsp all spice
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 Tbsp yellow mustard powder
- ¼ tsp ground white pepper
- 2 tsp molasses
Instructions
- Mix the mustard seeds and apple cider vinegar in a large bowl. Cover and place in the fridge overnight.
- Place the mustard and vinegar in a food processor and pulse several times to break up the mustard seeds slightly.
- Add all the remaining ingredients to the food processor and pulse again to combine the ingredients well.
- Store the mustard in the fridge for up to two months.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 25 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 9Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 121mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 0g
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