This recipe for Chinese Hot Mustard comes straight from a good friend who was raised in Hong Kong and owned Chinese food restaurants. He helped me develop (and test it) to make sure it was SPOT ON!
What is Chinese Hot Mustard
The first version of Chinese mustard is thought to have originated in China as early as 1046 BCE. At that time, the brown mustard seeds were simply ground into a pastier version of what we are more accustomed to seeing in jars and packets in the United States today.
Today, Chinese mustard is made with other ingredients as well. Vinegar, salt, and oil are mixed with the dry powder to bring out the flavor of the mustard and create its smooth consistency.
Why You’ll Love Chinese Hot Mustard
If you love the tanginess of mustard but also have a palate that craves heat, this mustard may be your new favorite condiment.
- Flavor – This is no ordinary mustard! Sure, other types of mustard like standard yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, and stone ground mustard may all be delicious. But this spicy version is bound to awaken your taste buds (and your sinuses!).
- Kicks Your Dishes Up a Notch – This condiment is just what you need to take a meal from meh to marvelous. Upgrade anything from dippers like french fries or zucchini fries to meats like grilled pork chops or venison.
- Quick – All it takes is a few simple ingredients, a bowl, a whisk, and a minute or two to make this easy condiment that will last throughout the week.
- Thick– Many homemade mustard sauces use a simple 1:1 ratio, but this results in a thinner sauce. Ours is nice and robust- looks at the way it clings to this egg roll!
Ingredients
The ingredient list for this Chinese hot mustard is short. Plus, the ingredients can be found at most grocery stores and you can keep them on hand to make it whenever you want.
- Dry Ground Mustard Powder – Dry ground mustard is the key to making this sauce spicy and any restaurant owner will tell you that Coleman’s is the brand to use! You can use Chinese mustard powder (if you can find it) or English mustard powder (though the latter may have slightly less of a bite due to the inclusion of white mustard seeds).
- Fine Salt – Using salt that has fine granules will make it easier to mix and dissolve it in the other ingredients.
- Water – Water helps to break down the mustard seeds creating a chemical reaction that results in the spicy flavor.
- Vegetable Oil – Oil helps to create a smooth consistency.
- Rice Vinegar – Vinegar gives the mustard its signature tangy flavor.
Variations
You can make your own signature mustard with all sorts of tweaks to this basic recipe.
- Vinegar – Instead of rice wine vinegar, use distilled white vinegar, white wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar for a different flavor profile.
- Oil – Use another neutral flavored oil like avocado or canola. Or, you can use an infused spicy oil to up the heat.
- Sweetness – For a touch of sweet flavor to complement the spiciness, mix in a little bit of honey. Or, instead of honey, use your favorite alternative sweetener.
- Garlic – Make a garlicky version by whisking in some garlic powder or minced garlic.
- Ginger – Create a unique flavor by adding grated ginger to the mustard.
- Five-Spice – Add a five-spice blend for a complex flavor profile.
What To Serve Chinese Hot Mustard With
Chinese hot mustard is a great dipping sauce for traditional egg rolls (or a German take on egg rolls), vegetable spring rolls, fried shrimp, dumplings, and crab rangoons. It can also add a spicy tangy flavor to any number of homemade versions of your favorite Chinese takeout.
You can also use it like any other mustard, slathered on slider sandwiches, griddle smash burgers, and bratwurst. Or you can serve it with appetizers like sausage balls or alongside cheese and meat flowers on a charcuterie board.
And in addition to all of those options, you can also use it to make a sauce. Mix it with soy sauce or duck sauce for a unique condiment for dipping or thin it out and add other spices for a different type of salad dressing.
How to Make Chinese Hot Mustard
It couldn’t be easier to make this spicy mustard.
- Whisk mustard and salt. Add the mustard and salt to a small bowl. Then, whisk the two ingredients together.
- Add water and stir. After the mustard and salt are combined, pour in the water and stir.
- Add vinegar and oil. Next, add the vinegar and the oil and whisk once again.
- Allow to steep. When the ingredients are fully combined, use plastic wrap or aluminum foil to cover the bowl and set aside.
- Whisk and serve. Once the mixture has had time to steep, uncover the bowl and whisk again. Serve immediately or refrigerate.
Storage and Freezing
Unlike simple yellow mustard, which lasts quite a while, homemade Chinese hot mustard is best consumed within a few days to avoid having its flavor become flat.
You can mix the ingredients together and refrigerate for a few days before serving.
How to Store
Store leftover Chinese hot mustard in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Can I Freeze Chinese Hot Mustard?
While you can freeze mustard, the condiment’s taste and consistency may change. If you choose to freeze it, you can place it in a freezer bag or ice cube tray for up to 3 months.
Common Questions About Chinese Hot Mustard
Chinese hot mustard is a blend of dry mustard powder, water, vinegar, oil, and salt. Its flavor is spicy because of the breakdown of the mustard once the water is added to it.
Chinese hot mustard has a spicy flavor that is often compared to horseradish or wasabi. If you haven’t tried it before, you’ll want to test the waters slowly before adding a huge dollop to your egg rolls or pork chops!
Chinese hot mustard may have a flavor that’s similar to horseradish, but it actually doesn’t have horseradish in it. Its heat comes purely from the dry mustard.
Other Savory Sauces
Sauces is the name of our game here- here are a few more popular dipping sauces.
Chinese Hot Mustard Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dry ground mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard and salt. Add the water, mixing to combine.
- Whisk in the oil and vinegar.
- Cover and allow to steep for 10-15 minutes before whisking again and serving.
- For a thinner sauce, add more water, for a thicker sauce, add less.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Nutrition
YES. I’m not Chinese so everyone take this with a grain of salt, but this was exactly what I was looking for. Tasted perfect to me.
I loved, loved, loved the spiciness in this mustard. Coleman’s is definitely the way to go – turned out amazing!
So easy to make & much better than store bought!
We love all kinds of mustard in our house and this Chinese hot mustard is fantastic. It’s a great spicy alternative to honey mustard sauce.
This stuff is so good! I made it last night for our chicken fingers, and it was so good.
This Chinese mustard sounds fantastic. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Just made this. Taste like the mustard in the China Town restaurant we went to as a kid. Clears your sinuses! Loved it! Thank you!
Amazing just like the resturant package in your pick up order