I Tried 8 Store-Bought Honey Mustards and Found a Clear Winner

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When it comes to dips and dressings, honey must ard reigns supreme. Its harmonious balance of tang and sweetness tantalizes taste buds and elevates everything from chicken fingers and french fries to salads and salmon .

As the condiment’s biggest fan, I took the task of finding the best store-bought jar or bottle very seriously. In fact, I gathered some of my most trustworthy friends (at least when it comes to their palates) to dip their way through what can only be described as a honey mustard extravaganza. I also relied on Kevin Carlow, proprietor of Le Sel Oysters (a pop-up concept located in Palm Springs), to lend his honey mustard expertise. He often incorporates the ingredient as a base for his restaurant’s vinaigrettes.

“In most cases, I would say you should first and foremost look for real, whole-food ingredients,” he advises. “However, honey mustard generally will contain wheat flour as a thickening agent, plus stabilizers and oils added, particularly soybean oil.”

“I hate to say this but it’s the rare case where more added ingredients, especially ‘spice extracts’ (usually mustard oil and turmeric) make for a tastier mustard,” he reveals while also reminding that a homemade version is quite easy to prepare. (Carlow’s personal favorite blend is Dijon mustard, vinegar, avocado oil and local honey.)

Keeping this in mind, we didn’t take a single look at ingredient lists and simply purchased what was readily available. This allowed for us to enjoy an evening of condiment bliss to identify the bleh from the un-bee-lievable.

Here’s how they stacked up.

365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Honey Mustard

365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Honey Mustard $2.29 at Amazon

This was not honey mustard. This was Dijon mustard masquerading as its sweet counterpart. While this flavor may work for the honey-averse, it will anger sauce purists to their core. You’ve been warned.

French's Honey Mustard

• French's Honey Mustard $4.99 at Amazon
• French's Honey Mustard $3.24 at Walmart

We actually enjoyed the flavor of French’s honey mustard, but it was — like 365’s — entirely too mustard-y. That said, this would taste amazing on a sandwich piled high with deli meats and veggies that can stand up to the sauce’s sharpness.

Koops' Honey Mustard

Koops' Honey Mustard $8.78 at Amazon

This was a strong OK. While the flavors were definitely well-balanced and blended, it wasn’t as memorable as our top five. In fact, it was the one bottle we had to continuously return to because we forgot what it tasted like. Opt for this if you’re concocting a complex recipe that requires a combo of more neutral ingredients that won’t be vying for your taste buds’ attention.

Ken's Steak House Honey Mustard

• Ken's Steak House Honey Mustard $5.49 at Target
• Ken's Steak House Honey Mustard $4.68 at Walmart

If you prefer your honey mustard creamy, Ken’s has got you covered. Sure, it may be on the blander side, but a dip like this allows for any edible vessel to really shine. It also tempers finger foods that may be a touch too greasy or salty, so you can nosh in excess without worrying about a premature stomach ache.

Sweet Baby Ray's Honey Mustard

• Sweet Baby Ray's Honey Mustard $2.69 at Target
• Sweet Baby Ray's Honey Mustard $2.47 at Walmart

It was no surprise that one of the leaders in store-bought barbecue sauces would deliver on an equally delicious honey mustard. Like Ken’s, it was quite creamy, but also very rich and decadent, so a little went a long way (which is saying a lot for someone who can easily house an entire bottle in one sitting).

Beaver Honey Mustard

Beaver Honey Mustard $13.52 at Amazon

Carlow’s personal favorite proved to be a major hit with the group and was on the short list to take home top honors. The only reason why it didn’t win was because we felt a bit confused as we sampled it. At some points, it was very Dijon-heavy. At other points, it was cloyingly sweet. At all points, it was addictive, which is why it ranked so high, but just know that your palate should prepare for an onslaught of conflicting flavors. Also, do yourself a favor and also purchase the brand’s Sweet Hot variety which packs more of a punch for heat seekers.

Inglehoffer Original Sweet Honey Mustard

• Inglehoffer Original Sweet Honey Mustard $6.97 at Amazon
• Inglehoffer Original Sweet Honey Mustard $4.98 at Instacart

I grew up on McDonald’s hot mustard sauce (which you can often still find in Europe), so you can only imagine the utter joy I experienced after taking my first bite of sweet and spicy Inglehoffer. This was the closest mainstream dupe I had ever tasted and the nostalgia element alone made this a top pick. But don’t just take my word for it — half the group couldn’t make up their minds between this and our No. 1 choice. It received a silver medal by a difference of only one vote. And that final vote caster said “I love it, but it’s almost too unique. So I ultimately chose …”

Maille Honey Dijon Mustard

Maille Honey Dijon Mustard $7.76 at Instacart

The gold star of golden condiments went to Maille. This was not only scrumptiously sweet, zesty and bright, but also silky-smooth and almost velvety with an artisanal, gourmet-like quality. It was as if a world-renowned chef was tasked to create their own honey mustard and this was the result. Needless to say, I was absolutely delighted to find a new product to add to my arsenal (which was already embarrassingly robust).

This article was originally published on Single Sparkle