Creamy Mustard Sauce

By
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone is a writer who develops approachable recipes for home cooks. Her recipes range from Grandma’s favorites to the latest food trends.
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Updated on 12/6/22
Creamy mustard sauce in a green bowl with parsley garnish

The Spruce Eats
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Yield: 1 1/2 cups
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
74 Calories
8g Fat
1g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 74
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 5g 23%
Cholesterol 22mg 7%
Sodium 302mg 13%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 20mg 2%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 35mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

A quick and easy recipe, this creamy mustard sauce is perfect for fish, pork, ham, poultry, or vegetables. Made from two ingredients (with salt and pepper to season), Dijon mustard's sharpness is counteracted by the mellow flavor of heavy cream. It's one of those simple homemade sauces that can turn something like a basic chicken breast into an elegant entrée impressive enough to serve dinner guests.

Perhaps this sauce was born out of the idea of the classic French Béarnaise. That sauce is made from wine, vinegar, shallots, tarragon, egg yolks, and butter whisked and emulsified to create a velvety pale yellow sauce. This recipe creates a sauce with a similar smooth texture and pale yellow color, and the mustard adds a delightful tang to the taste. It works as a dip or as a tasty addition to marinades as well, and there are a few simple ways to customize the flavor to the dish you're making.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a small saucepan over low heat, mix the cream, mustard, and pepper.

  3. Simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly—about 1 minute. Season to taste with salt.

  4. Use as a condiment, dip, or in a marinade. Enjoy.

Recipe Variations

This basic mustard cream sauce is a perfect foundation for extra flavor, and changing it up is very easy.

  • Add a little grainy mustard in place of some of the Dijon. It will bring a new depth of flavor as well as an interesting texture.
  • Stir in dried herbs, such as basil, dill, oregano, or tarragon. Start with about 1 teaspoon and add up to 1 tablespoon according to taste.
  • Start with a savory base: In the saucepan, sauté one chopped shallot and/or a few minced cloves of garlic in oil or a few tablespoons of brandy or dry white wine. Cook down for a few minutes until the liquid evaporates, then add the cream, mustard, and pepper and continue with the recipe.

Is Mustard Sauce Gluten-Free?

Not every mustard sauce is gluten-free because some recipes use flour to thicken the sauce. This recipe does not, and it will not contain gluten as long as the mustard you use is gluten-free. Some commercially-produced mustard contains gluten, so it's important to read the label. You can also make your own Dijon-style mustard with a few simple ingredients and a blender.

What's the Difference Between Dijon and Spicy Brown Mustard?

All prepared mustard starts by soaking mustard seeds in an acidic liquid. Both Dijon and spicy brown (or deli) mustard typically use brown mustard, which is spicier than yellow mustard seeds. While Dijon mustard is made with verjuice (an acidic liquid of unripe grapes) or white wine, spicy brown mustard is soaked in vinegar. In terms of taste, Dijon is smooth, tangy, and a bit mild but still with a nice bite; spicy brown mustard is more pungent and spicier with a coarser texture.