How to Make Mustard from Mustard Seeds

Make your own mustard from seeds to add an original touch of flavor to hot dogs.

The word "mustard" conjures up images of the bright yellow mustard used on hot dogs and hamburgers at summer cookouts, but there are other types of mustard and uses for it. For example, you can use mustard as a marinade or in a salad dressing. You can cook with mustard seeds whole, or you can make a condiment from the seeds. Experiment with amounts of seed, liquid and even the addition of other spices and herbs to find recipes that suit you. According to whfoods.org, mustard can also supply essential nutrients that include selenium, tryptophan and omega-3 fatty acids.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 cup mustard seeds
• 1/4 cup water or vinegar
• Mortar and pestle or food processor
• Herbs or spices (optional)

1. There are three widely available varieties of mustard seed from which you can choose: black, brown or white. White seeds will give you a yellow mustard and are the mildest of the three. Use brown if you want a Dijon style mustard, and black if you want a pungent taste.

2. Grind the mustard seeds into a fine powder. You can do this with either a mortar and pestle or in a food processor. Coffee grinders also work well for this.

3. Add water or vinegar to the ground mustard powder. Using water will create a very spicy mustard because of the way that water interacts with the powder. Using vinegar will create a mild taste. Do not pour the full amount in at once. Gradually add the liquid until it reaches the same consistency as store-bought mustard. You may not need the full quarter cup of water or you may need a little more.

Tips & Warnings

• Taste the mustard to see how it compares to your expectations. Add herbs or spices to alter the flavor, if desired, such as tarragon, paprika, pepper or any other seasonings you enjoy.

• If you allow the mustard you've made to sit for a few days, the taste will mellow out. However, you should not keep this prepared mustard for more than a month.

• You can easily increase the proportions to make more mustard.

References

• The World's Healthiest Foods: Mustard Seeds
• Mother Earth News: How to Make Mustard
• A Pinch Of: Making Mustard at Home