Easy Mustard Jar Salad Dressing

Written by
Jess Kapadia
Jess Kapadia is a food writer and editor with a decade of experience specializing in food and dining.
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Jess Kapadia
Published 10/13/20
Easy Mustard Jar Salad Dressing

The Spruce / Cara Cormack
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yields: 6 Tablespoons Dressing

The best way to use up the very last bit of mustard in the jar is to shake it out using other ingredients to make an easy custom salad dressing for your favorite salad. Tweak this general blueprint for mustard jar salad dressing any way you like — use your favorite kind of mustard (whole grain is delicious in this recipe), the chopped fresh herbs of your choice, finely chopped onion or shallot for a little zip, an acid like lemon juice or vinegar, and enough olive oil to create an emulsion. You can watch this easy technique in the video below.  


The dressing will stay fresh tightly capped in its jar for up to a week, and also makes a great marinade for chicken, pork tenderloin, or vegetables destined for the grill. 

1:47

Bottom of the Jar Salad Dressing

Ingredients

  • 1 mostly empty jar of Dijon mustard 
  • 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme 
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped chives
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon cold water (optional)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Easy Mustard Jar Salad Dressing ingredients

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  2. Pour all dressing ingredients into the jar, except salt and pepper.

    all of the Easy Mustard Jar Salad Dressing ingredients in a jar

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  3. Cap tightly and shake vigorously, up and down and side to side, until mixture has thickened and emulsified (about 30 seconds).

    shake jar with Easy Mustard Jar Salad Dressing

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  4. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

    salt added to the Easy Mustard Jar Salad Dressing in a jar

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  5. If the dressing seems too thick, add up to a teaspoon of cold water half a teaspoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

    water added to the Easy Mustard Jar Salad Dressing in a jar

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

  6. Pour directly from the jar onto your favorite salad and toss lightly before serving.

    Easy Mustard Jar Salad Dressing poured over salad

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack