5 from 1 review

5-Minute Whole Grain Mustard Vinaigrette

DF Dairy-Free GF Gluten-Free V Vegetarian
Posted by Jess Larson on February 21st, 2024 (Updated April 15, 2024)
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This 5-Minute Whole Grain Mustard Vinaigrette is a fast and flavor-packed salad dressing made with my favorite type of mustard! Whole-grain mustard seeds give a classic vinaigrette an extra pop of tangy texture. Whisk it with a few other pantry staple ingredients – like olive oil, vinegar, and pure maple syrup – for a light and punchy dressing. An all-purpose homemade vinaigrette, perfect for dressing hearty fall and winter salads!
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An overhead shot of whole grain mustard vinaigrette in a glass jar atop a white marbled surface. A small dish of black pepper and a halved lemon sit alongside it.
Prep: 5 min
Cook: 0 min
Serves: 6-8

A Tangy-Sweet Mustard Vinaigrette with Grainy Pops of Goodness

I’m not a huge fan of mustard, but I am a FANATIC for whole grain mustard. It has a little extra something special and I love the twist it adds to a classic vinaigrette. Even if you’re not a huge fan of mustard, you will love this dressing!

Unlike my smoother All-Purpose Vinaigrette made with Dijon, this recipe uses whole grain mustard for a fun pop of tangy texture without tasting too mustardy. Whole grain mustard is much milder than traditional French Dijon (probably the reason why it’s the variety I most prefer!).

A side angle shot of vinaigrette being drizzled from a spoon into a jar of dressing. this Recipe for Later!
This whole grain mustard vinaigrette is a light and punchy homemade salad dressing made with whole grain mustard for extra pops of tangy texture.

As a bonus, it’s also the perfect lazy girl salad dressing! 💁🏻‍♀️

There’s no intense chopping or whisking involved – it’s just a fast, simple vinaigrette I know I can easily shake up with a few pantry staples. We literally always have whole-grain mustard, olive oil, maple syrup, vinegar, lemon, and garlic on hand.

Simply shake it up and drizzle it on a hearty salad like my favorite 20-Minute Kale Brussels Sprouts Salad. It also doubles as a beautiful glaze for cozy proteins like roasted chicken, pork chops, or even beer brats!

A versatile staple recipe you’ll turn to time and time again!

Key Ingredients

This maple mustard vinaigrette recipe uses only 6 pantry staples! I love that I can quickly make it with ingredients I always have hanging around my kitchen – a tangy mustard dressing is always just a few minutes away!

An overhead shot of ingredients displayed in small bowls and dishes on a white marbled surface: olive oil, whole grain mustard, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, a juiced lemon, garlic, black pepper and maple syrup.
An easy homemade vinaigrette made with 6 pantry staple ingredients: olive oil, mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, pure maple syrup, and garlic.
An overhead macro shot of a spoon full of whole grain mustard over a jar on a white marbled surface.
Whole grain mustard is a specific variety of mustard made with brown and black mustard seeds. It’s ground just enough to form a thick, coarse paste.

Unlike smoother Dijon or yellow mustard, whole grain mustard is loaded with tons of texture and punchy flavor. It’s made with pungent brown and black mustard seeds and it’s ground just enough to form a thick, coarse paste. The whole mustard seeds leave craveable pops of tanginess in every bite – a texture lover’s dream!

As the signature ingredient in this mustard dressing recipe, I encourage you to seek it out. You can buy whole grain mustard at most conventional grocery stores; it’s typically shelved near all of the the other condiments. My go-to brand is Maille.

Other key ingredients:

  • Extra-virgin olive oil – You don’t have to break the bank here, but do select a good quality oil with rich, fruity flavor. DeLallo EVOO is my go-to – it’s imported from Italy, tastes amazing, & is super affordable.
  • Fresh lemon juice and apple cider vinegar lend balanced brightness. If you do not have lemon juice on hand, feel free to replace it with extra vinegar.
  • Maple syrup – My favorite pairing with mustard! Pure maple syrup balances the tanginess of mustard with a little cozy sweetness. As a bonus, using maple syrup makes this a vegan mustard vinaigrette.

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How to Make Whole Grain Mustard Vinaigrette

This super easy mustard vinaigrette comes together in 5 minutes, tops! There’s no intense chopping or whisking involved – just grab your measuring spoons and toss it all together. The result is a perfect balance of punchy, mustardy, and lightly sweetened flavor.

An overhead shot of ingredients in a small glass bowl: whole grain mustard, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, black pepper, and garlic.
Add all of the ingredients to a mixing bowl or jar…
An overhead shot of ingredients being whisked in a glass bowl atop a white marbled surface.
…and vigorously whisk or shake to combine well.

To make the whole grain mustard vinaigrette, simply combine all 6 ingredients and whisk to emulsify – simple as that!

“Emulsify” is simply a fancy way of saying combining two ingredients that are hard to mix. The emulsification of oil and vinegar is what creates a smooth dressing. In this case, the maple mustard vinaigrette still has pops of whole grain mustard seeds throughout it for extra texture.

A close-up overhead shot of a spoon in a jar of dressing on a white surface.
This whole grain mustard vinaigrette is the perfect dressing for a hearty salad. Thanks to its subtle sweetness, it’s also a great glaze for cozy proteins like roast chicken or pork chops.

Vinaigrette Storage Tip

The oil and vinegar in the whole grain mustard vinaigrette may separate when you store it in the fridge. No worries! If this happens, simply reheat the mixture briefly in the microwave and mix it back together. Check the Recipe Notes, below, for more storage instructions.

Serving Suggestions

This mustard vinaigrette is my go-to salad dressing! I especially love its cozy, tangy sweetness with fall- and winter-inspired salads.

My favorite pairing to date is my raw Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad. The hearty greens stand up well to the bold flavors of the maple mustard vinaigrette. Plus, Brussels sprouts + mustard = a match made in heaven! 😍

But a whole grain mustard dressing is also great for more than just green salads! Try adding a generous drizzle of grainy mustard to…

A side angle shot of dressing being poured over a large white bowl of brussels sprouts, kale, walnuts, dried cranberries and shaved parmesan.
Try it on my 20-Minute Kale Brussels Sprouts Salad!

I can’t wait for you to try this 5-Minute Grainy Mustard Vinaigrette! It’s a welcomed twist on a classic mustard vinaigrette and it has the best pop of texture. It’s a staple recipe in my kitchen and I have no doubts that it will quickly be a go-to for you too!

If you do give it a try, be sure to let us know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo and tag @playswellwithbutter on Instagram. We LOVE seeing your PWWB creations! ♡ Happy cooking!

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An overhead shot of whole grain mustard vinaigrette in a glass jar atop a white marbled surface. A small dish of black pepper and a halved lemon sit alongside it.

5-Minute Whole Grain Mustard Vinaigrette with Pure Maple Syrup

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Jess Larson
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: ⅓ cup 1x
  • Category: Sauces & Condiments, Entrée Salads & Bowls
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

I’ve never been a big fan of mustard, but I am crazy for whole grain mustard. Its flavor is a little more mellow and the tangy pops of mustard seeds are a texture lover’s dream, so using it in place of Dijon adds a really fun twist to a classic vinaigrette.
 
This Whole Grain Mustard Vinaigrette does just that! It’s a light and punchy dressing made with just 6 pantry staple ingredients, so it’s really easy to whip up any time of day or day of the week.
 
Pair it with your favorite hearty salads, cozy proteins, and roasted veggies – be sure check the blog post, above, for some of my favorite pairing suggestions. ♡ Happy cooking! 
 

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
  • ½ lemon, juiced
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped or grated
  • kosher salt and ground black pepper, to season

Instructions

  1. Prepare the grainy mustard vinaigrette: To a small bowl, add the olive oil, mustard, vinegar, maple syrup, lemon juice, and garlic. Season with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ground black pepper as desired. Whisk to combine well, until the mixture emulsifies into a smooth & creamy vinaigrette. Adjust seasoning to taste.An overhead shot of vinaigrette being whisked in a glass bowl atop a white marbled surface. A halved lemon and a small bowl of pepper sit alongside the bowl.
  2. Serve: Enjoy your grainy mustard vinaigrette immediately. My personal favorite pairing is this 20-Minute Kale Brussels Sprouts Salad with Walnuts and Parmesan, but this vinaigrette is a wonderful pairing for any hearty salad. It’s also delicious drizzled over Roasted Chicken, Beer Brats or Grilled Sausages, or roasted vegetables like Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Delicata Squash, or roasted potatoes. Enjoy!An overhead shot of whole grain mustard maple vinaigrette in a glass jar atop a white marbled surface. A small dish of black pepper and a halved lemon sit alongside it.

Equipment

Notes

Storage: This mustard vinaigrette will keep, stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 5 days. If the vinaigrette separates and solidifies in the refrigerator, simply warm it slightly in the microwave until it’s liquid again, then whisk to combine well and serve as desired.

Recipe and Food Styling by Jess Larson, Plays Well With Butter | Photography by Rachel Cook, Half Acre House.

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Hi there, I'm Jess!

If there’s 1 thing to know about me, it’s this: I am head-over-heels in love with food. I’m on a mission to make weeknight cooking flavorful, fast, & fun for other foodies, & PWWB is where I share foolproof recipes that deliver major flavor with minimal effort. Other true loves: pretty shoes, puppies, Grey’s Anatomy, & my cozy kitchen in Minneapolis, MN.

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