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Use a mortar and pestle to crush whole mustard seeds to make spicy, delicious Homemade Stone-Ground Mustard for sandwiches, burgers, and vinaigrettes.

You may be asking, “Is making homemade mustard worth the effort?” and I’d have to tell you, “Yes, I really think so!”

It does take a little muscle, but it’s also kind of fun and the process only takes a few minutes. Once you’re all done, this spicy mustard can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a year. That’s a really long shelf life!

This mustard is a delicious condiment for burgers or sandwiches. I also like to use stone-ground mustard in my favorite chicken salad and vinaigrettes.

Homemade Stone-Ground Mustard: behind the recipe

I would never have thought about even attempting to make my own mustard until my daughter demonstrated her creative culinary skills using a mortar and pestle (a wedding gift from her mother-in-law) during our visit to St. Louis last weekend.

Although this kitchen device has been used since ancient times to grind spices, I’d never tried it myself. Why bother when you can rely on the convenience of the spice rack?

Watching Allison demonstrate her technique and then tasting that delicious mustard was indeed intriguing. So much so that I ordered my own Granite Angled Mortar and Pestle before I left St. Louis to head home!

I definitely plan to find other fun recipes to make with my new mortar and pestle!

What is stone-ground mustard?

A popular condiment for hearty sandwiches, charcuterie boards, and hot dogs, stone-ground mustard is produced by grinding brown mustard seeds with water and vinegar until it becomes a coarse textured spread. 

Key ingredients and substitutions

• Brown mustard seeds — These tiny brown seeds are more pungent than the yellow variety and are used in this recipe to create a spicy spread. This same technique may be used with yellow mustard seeds, although the spread will have a mild, yet sharp flavor.
• Water — As the seeds are crushed, peppery oil is released. Water, either hot or cold, works to stabilize the heat. Hot water will break down some of the pungent compounds, while cold water will keep them intact.
• White wine vinegar — Adding acidity to the mustard makes the pungency last longer during its shelf life. Champagne vinegar is a good substitute.
• Turmeric — Besides adding a little bit of spice, turmeric gives the mustard a more pleasing yellow color.
• Sugar — Adding a little sugar counteracts the bitterness in the mustard oils when the seeds are crushed.

How to make your own mustard at home

STEP 1 | Crush the mustard seeds

• Add mustard seeds into the mortar. Rock the pestle back and forth to grind the seeds. After a few seconds you’ll notice a yellow mustard powder start to appear.
• My daughter used black mustard seed in her recipe, but I use brown mustard seed that I found at World Market.
• This process will require a bit of muscle!

STEP 2 | Add water

• Slowly add water, working the seeds into a coarse paste.
• The water temperature, whether cold or hot, will create a chemical reaction as you grind the seed that results in how much heat is in the mustard.
• Use cold water for a spicier mustard and hot water for a milder mustard.

STEP 3 | Add remaining ingredients

• Season the mustard with salt and add turmeric and white wine vinegar, continuing to grind until you get the consistency desired.
• Leaving some whole seeds creates an interesting coarse texture.
• Store the mustard in a glass jar in the refrigerator for 24 hours before serving to allow the flavor to meld.

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• Tangy Cole Slaw
• Blueberry Blue Cheese Bacon Burger

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Homemade Stone-Ground Mustard

Author: Sheila Thigpen

Use a mortar and pestle to crush whole mustard seeds to make spicy, delicious Homemade Stone-Ground Mustard for sandwiches, burgers, and vinaigrettes.

4.03 from 36 votes

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Prep Time 15 mins

Total Time 15 mins

Course Appetizers

Cuisine American

Servings 1 /2 pint

Calories 16 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 6 tablespoons brown mustard seed
• 1/2 cup water (cold or hot)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions

 

• Crush mustard seed using a mortar and pestle for a few seconds.  
• Slowly add water and continue grinding the seed. Use hot water for a milder mustard and cold water for a spicier mustard. Grind until the water is incorporated, leaving some seeds whole.
• Add the remaining ingredients and continue grinding until the desired consistency is achieved. Store the mustard in a glass jar in the refrigerator for 24 hours before serving. 
• Mustard will keep for up to one year in refrigerator.

Notes

 

 

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingsCalories: 16kcalCarbohydrates: 3gSodium: 209mgSugar: 3g

Keyword mustard, stone ground

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was.

About Sheila Thigpen

Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Food Writer

Sheila Thigpen is the publisher of Life, Love, and Good Food — a Southern food blog — and the author of Easy Chicken Cookbook and The 5-Ingredient Fresh and Easy Cookbook. After 20+ years in the publishing industry, she retired in 2018 to focus on her own creative endeavors full time. She and her husband live near the beautiful Smoky Mountains and have a precious little granddaughter who has stolen their hearts. As an influencer, Sheila has collaborated with brands like Creamette, Kroger, HERSHEY’S, Hamilton Beach, Garafalo Pasta, OXO, Smithfield, Valley Fig Growers, and more.