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Which mustard is best for sandwiches?

Mustard is a classic condiment that can transform a basic sandwich into something truly delicious. But with so many varieties of mustard out there, it can be tricky to know which type works best for different sandwiches. Here, we’ll compare the most popular mustards to help you determine the right mustard for your sandwich.

Yellow Mustard

Yellow mustard, also sometimes called American mustard, is the most common and well-known variety. It has a mild flavor and smooth, creamy texture. The ingredients are simple – mustard seeds, vinegar, and turmeric for color. Some brands also add sugar or honey to balance the acidity.

Yellow mustard works well as an all-purpose sandwich spread. It provides flavor without overpowering the other ingredients. It’s a good match for classic deli meats like roast beef, turkey, and ham. Yellow mustard also pairs nicely with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and other standard sandwich veggies. A few sandwiches where yellow mustard shines:

  • Ham and cheese
  • Roast beef and cheddar
  • Turkey club

Dijon Mustard

Dijon mustard hails from the city of Dijon in France. It has a smooth, creamy texture and deep flavor punch from brown or black mustard seeds. The taste is robust, tangy, and slightly spicy compared to mild yellow mustard.

In addition to mustard seeds, Dijon contains white wine or vinegar. Some versions incorporate herbs, spices, or fruits for unique flavor twists. Due to its assertive flavor, Dijon works best with hearty, flavorful meats and cheeses that can stand up to the mustard. It also pairs well with crunchy veggies. Sandwiches that benefit from Dijon:

  • Roast beef with Swiss
  • Cuban sandwiches with ham and pork
  • Veggie sandwiches with avocado, mushrooms, onions, etc.

Honey Mustard

Honey mustard incorporates honey or brown sugar for a touch of sweetness. The honey balances out the tanginess from the mustard and vinegar. Honey mustard has a smooth, creamy texture like yellow mustard. But it has a more complex flavor thanks to the sweet-spicy contrast.

The sweetness of honey mustard complements salty deli meats like ham and roast beef. It also tastes great with cheese, bacon, chicken, or turkey. For veggies, honey mustard works nicely with robust options like avocado, onion, tomato, spinach, and sprouts. Fitting sandwiches include:

  • Turkey and Swiss with spinach
  • Chicken salad sandwich
  • BLT with avocado

Spicy Brown Mustard

Spicy brown mustard packs some heat! It’s made from coarsely ground mustard seeds, giving it a speckled appearance and robust, spicy flavor. The seeds add texture and a peppery bite, while vinegar provides acidity.

Spicy brown mustard can hold its own with strongly flavored meats like pastrami, corned beef, and smoked sausages. Hearty cheeses like cheddar and Swiss also complement the mustard’s spice. It pairs well with crunchy raw veggies that can provide cooling contrast. Some tasty sandwiches that can handle the heat include:

  • Reuben with corned beef, Swiss, and sauerkraut
  • Pastrami on rye
  • Grilled sausage with onions and peppers

Deli-Style Mustard

Deli-style mustard has a bright yellow color and coarse texture. It gets its classic deli flavor from generous amounts of turmeric and paprika. The blend of spices gives it a robust, tangy taste.

Deli mustard stands up especially well to cured meats like roast beef, pastrami, salami, and brisket. A slather of deli mustard can take a bland sandwich up a notch. Potatoes, sauerkraut, pickles, and Swiss cheese also make good companions. Sandwiches suited for deli mustard include:

  • Corned beef on rye
  • Brisket with pickles and onion
  • Salami and provolone hero

Stone Ground Mustard

Stone ground mustard uses old-fashioned stone mills to grind whole mustard seeds into a thick, chunky texture. The coarse grind leaves some seeds intact for pops of spicy flavor. Stone ground mustard tastes robust, tangy, and complex.

The thickness and spices hold up to hearty meats and flavors. Stone ground mustard excels at livening up classic cold cut sandwiches. It also pairs well with rich cheeses and pungent ingredients like onion, garlic, and pepper. Sandwiches that benefit from stone ground mustard:

  • Italian sub
  • Meatball sub
  • Ham and salami with provolone

Whole Grain Mustard

Whole grain mustard contains whole mustard seeds mixed with cracked seeds. This gives it a pleasant crunch along with bright mustard flavor. Whole grain mustard can be either coarse or smooth depending on how finely the seeds are broken down.

The nubby texture and zippy taste of whole grain mustard make it a lively addition to sandwiches. It’s excellent with hearty meats and sausages. For cheese, Swiss and cheddar balance the mustard’s intensity. Veggies like lettuce, tomato, and onion give sandwiches added crunch. Great whole grain mustard sandwiches include:

  • Bratwurst with sauerkraut
  • Pastrami melt with Swiss cheese
  • Chicken salad sandwich with lettuce and tomato

Beer Mustard

For a unique take on mustard, look for varieties made with beer. Beer mustards get their flavor from actual brewed beer or just the malted barley and hops used in beer production. This gives the mustard a tangy, slightly bitter taste.

The blend of beer and mustard is bold and great for strong-flavored meats and cheeses. Beer mustard pairs well with classic brats and sausages. Hearty rye bread can also stand up to the intense flavor. To temper the bitterness, add crispy veggies like lettuce and onion. Sandwiches to try beer mustard on include:

  • Bratwurst with sauerkraut and onion
  • Grilled sausage with peppers and onions
  • Turkey Reuben on rye

Hot Mustard

Hot mustard amps up the spice factor with the addition of hot peppers or chili powder. It delivers a powerful punch of heat along with tangy, vinegary mustard flavor. Chinese hot mustard is an especially intense version.

The fiery flavor of hot mustard requires equally strong sandwich components. It can transform bland cold cuts and meats into something fiery and flavorful. Try it on hot sandwiches or burgers. Hot mustard also cuts through rich, fatty ingredients like cheese and avocado. Some spicy sandwiches that can handle the heat include:

  • Hot pastrami on rye
  • Cheesesteak or Philly cheesesteak
  • Bacon cheeseburger

Horseradish Mustard

Prepared horseradish blended with mustard gives this condiment a sinus-clearing kick! The horseradish’s potent flavor stands up to meaty, smoky flavors. A little bit of horseradish mustard goes a long way due to its intensely spicy flavor.

Horseradish mustard is best reserved for sandwiches that need a flavor boost. It can spice up boring cold cuts or transform a plain burger into something special. Some sandwiches that can handle the horseradish punch include:

  • Roast beef on ciabatta
  • Prime rib sandwich with crispy onions
  • Burger with bacon and cheddar

Creole Mustard

Creole mustard hails from Louisiana and contains spicy chili peppers, garlic, spices, and vinegar. This gives the mustard a robust, pungent flavor with plenty of heat. Creole mustard has a coarse texture studded with cracked mustard seeds.

With its fiery flavor, Creole mustard can spice up mild cold cuts like turkey, ham, and roast beef. It also pairs well with zesty ingredients like pepper jack cheese, onions, and banana peppers. Some tasty Creole mustard sandwiches include:

  • Muffuletta with ham, salami, and olive spread
  • Cuban sandwich with ham, pork, and pickles
  • Turkey club with bacon and avocado

Fruit Mustard

For a sweet twist on mustard, look for fruit-flavored varieties. Common fruit mustards include apricot, fig, cranberry, and raspberry. These mustards balance tangy vinegar and spice with sweet, jammy fruit flavor.

The sweetness of fruit mustard pairs well with mild meats like turkey, chicken, and ham. Try it on sandwiches with crunchy veggies and cheese for contrast. Fruity mustard shines in sandwiches such as:

  • Turkey and brie sandwich with arugula
  • Chicken salad sandwich with grapes and pecans
  • Prosciutto, fig, and goat cheese croissant

Chart Comparing Mustard Types

Here is a chart summarizing the key characteristics, flavor profiles, and best sandwich pairings for popular mustard varieties:

Mustard Type Flavor Profile Texture Best Sandwiches
Yellow Mild, tangy Smooth Deli meats, cheese, veggie sandwiches
Dijon Spicy, robust Smooth Hearty meats, cheese, veggies
Honey Sweet, tangy Smooth Turkey, chicken, ham, bacon
Spicy Brown Peppery, robust Coarse Pastrami, corned beef, sausage
Deli-Style Turmeric, paprika Coarse Roast beef, cured meats, cheese
Stone Ground Chunky, spicy Thick Cold cuts, salami, cheese, onions
Whole Grain Nubby, tangy Chunky or smooth Sausages, cured meats, lettuce, tomato
Beer Bitter, tangy Smooth Sausages, onions, cheese, rye bread
Hot Spicy heat Smooth Strong meats, cheese, burgers
Horseradish Pungent, spicy Smooth Beef, prime rib, burgers
Creole Spicy, chili heat Chunky Hearty meats, cheese, onions, peppers
Fruit Sweet, fruity Smooth Turkey, chicken, ham, cheese

Key Considerations By Mustard Type

Yellow

Yellow mustard is the classic all-American sandwich spread. With its mild tanginess and smooth texture, it works on almost any sandwich. Use it when you want a touch of flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.

Dijon

Spicy Dijon mustard is excellent for hearty, flavorful sandwiches with robust meats and cheeses that can stand up to the zesty flavor. It also complements crunchy raw veggies.

Honey

The sweetness of honey mustard pairs well with milder meats like turkey, ham, and chicken. It also tastes great with cheese, bacon, and fruits or veggies that provide contrasting crunch.

Spicy Brown

Bring on the heat with spicy brown mustard! Its coarse texture and peppery flavor hold their own against strongly flavored meats like pastrami, corned beef, and sausage.

Deli-Style

For classic sandwich shop flavor, slather on the deli mustard. Its vibrant yellow color and tangy taste boost cured meats, roast beef, and other bold sandwich fillings.

Stone Ground

Old-fashioned stone ground mustard has a delightfully chunky texture and complex flavor. It’s great for amplifying traditional cold cut sandwiches as well as heartier fillings.

Whole Grain

Whole grain mustard adds texture along with a bright, mustardy kick. The nubby seeds pair well with robust meats and sausages, while lettuce and tomato provide crunch.

Beer

For a uniquely flavored mustard, go for a beer variety. The tangy, slightly bitter taste stands up to brats, sausages, and other strong-flavored sandwich ingredients.

Hot

Hot mustard packs some serious heat! It can turn a boring sandwich into something spicy and flavorful. Best on bold, hearty fillings that can handle the punch.

Horseradish

A little horseradish mustard goes a long way to lend eye-watering flavor. Use it sparingly on sandwiches that need a spicy kick.

Creole

Robust Creole mustard contains plenty of garlic, spices, and chili heat. It’s excellent for amplifying cured and deli meats as well as zesty cheeses and veggies.

Fruit

For a sweet twist, fruit-flavored mustards pair nicely with mild meats like turkey and ham. The fruit balances the mustard’s tang.

Conclusion

When choosing the right mustard for your sandwich, consider the flavor profile, texture, and ingredients that will best complement the fillings. Yellow mustard is the safe, classic option for many sandwiches. Spicy Dijon or whole grain varieties pair well with heartier meats and cheeses. Sweet honey or fruity mustards match lighter fillings like turkey and ham. And hot, horseradish, or Creole mustards can spice up bland cold cuts.

The most important rule is to let your taste preferences guide you. Don’t be afraid to get creative and test different mustard varieties in your favorite sandwiches. The right mustard can truly take a sandwich to the next level!