Is Dijon Mustard Vegan? (Yes, Here’s Why)


Is Dijon Mustard Vegan

Dijon Mustard is not your typical classic yellow mustard. The difference between yellow mustard and Dijon mustard are in the seed colors, the vinegar or other acidic ingredient used, and sometimes but not always, the smoothness. The name comes from the city of Dijon in France, where this type of mustard originated. Is this delicious condiment vegan?

Yes, Dijon Mustard is vegan. Dijon Mustard contains mostly brown mustard seeds, vinegar, and salt for preservation. While a simple Dijon mustard should contain only simple ingredients, flavored Dijon mustards may not be vegan due to the addition of honey or refined sugar. The best vegan certified Dijon Mustard is Primal Kitchen Organic Dijon Mustard.

In this article, we will discuss ingredients in Dijon mustard that may not be vegan, as well as the nutritional value of top brands of Dijon Mustards. Let’s dig in!

Types of Mustard Seeds

There are only slight preparation differences in the process of making mustards. Mustard plants are considered a shrub, even though there are reports of the growing as high as 10 feet. Mustard plants are grown worldwide. One of the reasons why mustard is used internationally in food.

Mustard Plant varietals:

  • White/yellow mustard: mild
  • Brown mustard: spicy
  • Golden Oriental mustard: most common in Asia

The greens of most mustard plants are also edible. Adding a spicy flavor much like arugula to dishes. Each variety of plant and seed has its own strength and potency.

How is Dijon mustard made?

Dijon is traditionally made using primarily the brown mustard seed variety. Some white mustard seeds are blended in along with an acid like vinegar, and water. The seeds are left to ferment in the acidulated water mixture for about 14 hours. The seeds are then milled and shaken through screens to remove large chunks. Then the mustard paste is cooled and packaged.

Mustard Seed Grades

You may have noticed that some brands of Dijon mustard have #1 mustard seed listed as an ingredient. This is due to the fact that there are different grades of mustard seed. There are different factors that can affect the grade a mustard seed is assigned based on color, smoothness of hull, pesticide use, and size. Seeds that do not meet visual standards are most often sent to be processed for mustard oil. Mustard seeds contain about 30% oil. After the seeds are pressed for their oil, the rest is made into a course meal that is fed to livestock.

Ingredients that may not be vegan

Why is sugar not considered Vegan?

Some sugar is vegan. Those that use a bone char process are not considered to be ethically vegan. Bone char is a process of using charcoal made from animal bones to make sugar white. Beet and coconut sugars do not use a bone char process and therefore are vegan. If sugarcane granules or powder is bright white this indicates that a bone char process was used in the making of it. This means that almost all white cane sugar is not vegan.

You may ask, well if sugar can’t always be trusted. Then why would we not use honey to balance the Dijon mustard. That is because honey is also not considered fully vegan approved.

Why is Honey not Vegan?

There are many opinions about whether or not honey is vegan. Some say that because honey is made from plant nectars that this makes it a vegan product. Others say that removing honey harms the bees by creating stress of food scarcity. Many vegans do not consider honey to be vegan because it is removing the bee’s product without their consent. Honey is not vegan.

Dijon Mustard Brands Nutritional Information

  • French’s
  • Grey Poupon
  • Primal Kitchen
  • Sir Kensington
  • Noble Made
  • Maille
  • Annie’s Organic

French’s Dijon Mustard

French’s has 5 varieties of Dijon Mustard:

  • Dijon Horseradish Stone Ground
  • Chardonnay Dijon
  • Dijon Hickory Smoked Stone Ground
  • Honey Dijon
  • Stone Ground Dijon

French’s Chardonnay Dijon Mustard

Here is the list of ingredients:

  • Distilled Vinegar
  • Water
  • #1 Grade Mustard Seed
  • Salt
  • Chardonnay Wine
  • Citric Acid
  • Tartaric Acid
  • Spices
  • Turmeric

Nutrition summary:

  • Calories 5
  • Fat 0g
  • Carbs 0g
  • Protein 0g
  • Sodium 110mg

There are 5 calories per teaspoon of French’s Chardonnay Dijon Mustard. This Dijon mustard is vegan.

French’s Stone Ground Dijon Mustard

Here is the list of ingredients for French’s Stone Ground Dijon Mustard:

  • Distilled Vinegar
  • Mustard Seed
  • Water
  • Salt
  • Chardonnay Wine
  • Spices
  • Natural Smoke Flavor

Nutrition summary:

  • Calories 5
  • Fat 0g
  • Carbs 0g
  • Protein 0g
  • Sodium 75mg

There are 5 calories per teaspoon of French’s Stone Ground Dijon Mustard. This Dijon mustard is vegan. And it has a lower salt content than the chardonnay Dijon from French’s.

Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard

Here is the list of ingredients for Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard:

  • Distilled White Vinegar
  • Mustard Seed
  • Water
  • Salt
  • White Wine
  • Citric Acid
  • Tartaric Acid
  • Fruit Pectin
  • Sugar
  • Spices

Nutrition summary:

  • Calories 5
  • Fat 0g
  • Carbs 0g
  • Protein 0g
  • Sodium 115mg

There are 5 calories in 5g or 1 teaspoon of Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard. Grey Poupon does not pronounce itself to be a vegan product. Other than the sugar which can be a grey area for many vegans, all other items on this ingredient list are vegan.

Grey Poupon Country Dijon Mustard

Here is the ingredient list for Grey Poupon Country Dijon Mustard:

  • Distilled White Vinegar
  • Water
  • Mustard Seed
  • Salt
  • White Wine
  • Fruit Pectin
  • Citric Acid
  • Tartaric Acid
  • Sugar
  • Spices

Nutrition summary:

  • Calories 5
  • Fat 0g
  • Carbs 0g
  • Protein 0g
  • Sodium 120mg

There are 5 calories in 5g or 1 teaspoon of Grey Poupon Country Dijon Mustard. With 5mg more salt per serving size than the basic Grey Poupon Dijon. This Dijon also has sugar added. We will discuss the vegan implications of sugar later in this article.

Primal Kitchen Organic Dijon Mustard

Not only are Primal Kitchen’s condiments vegan, they are also non-GMO, organic, paleo, keto and whole 30 approved.

Here is the ingredient list for Primal Kitchen Organic Dijon Mustard:

  • Water
  • Organic Mustard Seeds
  • Organic Vinegar
  • Salt
  • Organic Turmeric
  • Organic Spices

Nutrition summary:

  • Calories 5
  • Fat 0g
  • Carbs 0g
  • Protein 0g
  • Sodium 115mg

There are 5 calories in 5g or 1 teaspoon of Primal Kitchen Organic Dijon Mustard. This Dijon mustard is vegan.

Sir Kensington’s Dijon Mustard

This Dijon mustard received a medal in the Mustard Championships. Sir Kensington’s mustards are vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher.

The ingredients for Sir Kensington’s Dijon Mustard:

  • Water
  • #1 grade Mustard Seed
  • Distilled Vinegar
  • Salt
  • Fair Trade Organic Cane Sugar
  • Chablis Wine

Nutrition summary:

  • Calories 10
  • Fat 0g
  • Carbs 1g
  • Protein 0g
  • Sodium 135mg

There are 10 calories 5g or 1 teaspoon of Sir Kensington’s Dijon Mustard. Nutritionally this recipe for Dijon mustard has a high salt content.

Noble Made Coarse Dijon Mustard

Noble Made, by the new primal, makes their Dijon without the use of white wine.

The ingredients in Noble Made Coarse Dijon Mustard are:

  • Water
  • Distilled Vinegar
  • Cracked Mustard Seeds
  • Salt
  • Mustard Bran
  • Citric Acid
  • Turmeric

Nutrition summary:

  • Calories 5
  • Fat 0g
  • Carbs 0g
  • Protein 0g
  • Sodium 105mg

There are 5 calories in 5g or 1 teaspoon of Noble Made Coarse Dijon Mustard. Noble Made Dijon is whole 30 approved and gluten free as well as being vegan.

Maille Dijon Original

Varieties of Maille Dijon available in the United States:

  • Dijon Original
  • Honey Dijon Mustard
  • Rich Country Dijon Mustard

The ingredients in Maille Dijon Original are:

  • Water
  • mustard seeds
  • vinegar
  • salt
  • citric acid
  • sodium metabisulfite

Nutrition summary:

  • Calories 10
  • Fat 5g
  • Carbs 0g
  • Protein 0g
  • Sodium 130mg

There are 10 calories in 5g or 1 teaspoon of Maille Dijon Original. Maille has been growing and crushing up mustard condiments since 1747. Maille’s original Dijon recipe is the Gold Medal and Grand Champion of the 2013 World-Wide Mustard Competition. This Dijon mustard is vegan.

Annie’s Organic Dijon Mustard

Annie’s Organic Dijon Mustard is vegan, organic, gluten free, no sugar added, and non-GMO sourced.

The ingredients in Annie’s Organic Dijon Mustard are:

  • Organic Distilled White Vinegar
  • Water
  • Organic Mustard Seed
  • Sea Salt
  • Organic Clove

Nutrition summary:

  • Calories 0
  • Fat 0g
  • Carbs 0g
  • Protein 0g
  • Sodium 115mg

There are 0 calories in 5g or 1 teaspoon of Annie’s Organic Dijon Mustard. This Dijon has the lowest caloric value of all the Dijon’s and an average sodium content. Annie’s Organic Dijon Mustard is the healthiest Dijon mustard choice.

Completing our Dijon Mustard journey

The main ingredient of Dijon mustard is mustard seeds, which are vegan. As long as companies are preparing their mustards with limited and vegan ingredients, mustard should be vegan. Sugar added into mustard, grey area, mostly likely not vegan. Honey added to Dijon mustard? If you consign to not use honey in your vegan diet, then honey Dijon is not vegan.

Our top Dijon Mustard picks are Annie’s Organic, Primal Kitchen, and Noble Made. Annie’s Organic Dijon Mustard is the best health choice. However, Annie’s does not have the vegan verified label. If you want a vegan verified mustard for peace of mind, Primal Kitchen Organic Dijon Mustard or Noble Made Coarse Dijon Mustard are good choices.

Related Questions

Is Mustard Gluten Free?

Yes, most mustard is gluten free. However, some vinegars contain gluten if they are derived from wheat. Always check labels before using, not just the ingredient list, but also the list of potential allergens. These brands are all certified gluten free mustards: Annie’s Naturals, French’s, Koop’s, Boar’s Head, or Heinz.

Is Mustard Keto?

Yes, basic yellow or whole grain mustards without added sugar are keto. Most mustards should have no added sugar. Which makes most basic mustard keto-friendly.

What is a substitute for Dijon Mustard?

A whole grain or spicy brown mustard would be a great choice for a substitute for Dijon mustard. Classic yellow mustard in place of Dijon may make your sauce, dish, or marinade not give it the same punch that you need from a Dijon.

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Kari Rich

Chef Kari Rich is an award-winning fine dining chef with over twenty years of experience across the culinary field. Chef Kari enjoys studying and preparing foods for all types of diets and needs. Besides running professional kitchens, she has worked as a restaurant consultant doing business development and innovation, flow of food and menu development, food safety and cooking class instructor, ghost and copywriter for cookbooks and blogs, and research and development for health food companies and magazines. Chef Kari has appeared on a number of Food Network, Travel Channel, and Cooking Channel programs, she prefers the more personal connection that comes from preparing creative and well executed dishes. Chef Kari maintains a focus on the importance of local farms, food waste education, and good nutrition practices.

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