Homemade Honey-Dill Mustard from Scratch

Nothing says summer quite like a burger or hot dog topped with mustard!  Making mustard at home is simple and easy.... 

When making your own mustard, you can tailor it to your family's tastes...making it milder or spicier....and add herbs and spices to mix it up.  In this recipe, we've added honey and dill to give it a fresh, sweet, herb-y taste.  Use the base recipe, and then tweak it to your delight!

Ingredients

• 1 c mustard seed
• 1 1/2 c water (divided)
• 6 Tbsp vinegar
• 4 tsp salt
• 1 c honey
• 1/4 c dried dill

Instructions

1. Grind the whole mustard seeds for a few seconds in a spice or coffee grinder, or by hand with a mortar and pestle. Pour 1 cup water over them and let them sit an hour. Then grind again. (The temperature of the water will determine the spiciness of the mustard…..colder water = spicier)
2. Pour the semi-ground seeds into a blender, and add the salt, vinegar, and other ½ c water. Blend until a pale yellow color appears and it starts to thicken.
3. Add the honey and dill. Blend until everything is good and mixed. You will still see the mustard seeds in there…this is because you’re using whole ingredients.
4. Put into a glass jar. Let stand at room temperature overnight, then store in the fridge. It will be runny at first. Don’t worry, it will thicken up overnight. Wait at least 12 hours before using. Mustard made this way will last a year in the fridge.

Notes

• After making the mustard, you have to let it sit for a day or two to dissipate the bitterness.  It will taste very different - and more palatable- after sitting for a few days!
• Most store-bought mustards are cut with flour and colored with turmeric, so your homemade jar is going to look a little bit different.
• Vinegar reacts with aluminum, so try to avoid using aluminum bowls or utensils as this might give your mustard a metallic taste.  Store in a glass container.
• Always label your mustard and the date it was made!

For more great homesteading fun, check out the Homesteading Course at SchoolhouseTeachers!

This homeschool homesteading course is designed for anyone who has a desire to live more independently and prepare much of what is needed each day using their own hands. In this elective course, the student can learn how to work for what they want by making it themselves, instead of participating in an “on demand” society. Homeschool students of all ages learn patience, along with the skills needed to make their own cleaners for the home, sunscreen, homemade ketchup and dry mixes, as well as how to choose animals and prepare for emergencies, and much more. Learning the patience and usefulness of “doing it yourself” can be immensely helpful not only in the sense of living a healthier life, but also for the budget!