Capers is a core partner for mustard, reinforcing its strongest flavors while adding enough contrast to keep the pairing balanced.
mustard
+ Add to WorkbenchAbout this ingredient
Both a spice (mustard seeds) and a condiment (prepared mustard) — with a pungent heat from allyl isothiocyanate (in brown/black seeds) or a milder, more floral…
77 pairings
Editorial
Flavor profile
Mustard's pungency mechanism is identical to horseradish and wasabi: sinigrin (in brown and black mustard seeds) and sinalbin (in yellow seeds) are glucosinolates that convert to allyl isothiocyanate and p-hydroxybenzyl isothiocyanate respectively when the seeds are ground and water is added. The heat is volatile and dissipates — acid (vinegar) arrests the enzyme reaction and fixes pungency at whatever level has developed; hot liquids destroy the enzyme. This is why Dijon mustard (made with verjuice or white wine) retains its sharpness, while English dry mustard mixed with hot water quickly loses its bite. In cooking, mustard emulsifies vinaigrettes (the mucilage in mustard seeds helps stabilize oil-in-water emulsions), adds depth to cream sauces, seasons meat (the coating on beef tenderloin before roasting, the mustard-herb crust on rack of lamb). Whole-grain mustard provides textural interest and more complex flavor from the combination of ground and intact seeds. Dijon is the workhorse mustard for both vinaigrettes and cooked applications.
Pairings
Flavor relationships
Core pairings
capers
dill
honey
pork
tarragon
capers
Capers is a core partner for mustard, reinforcing its strongest flavors while adding enough contrast to keep the pairing balanced.
dill
Dill adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping mustard from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
honey
Honey adds seasoning or sweetness that balances mustard's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
pork
Mustard's sharp heat cuts through pork fat and adds the tangy contrast pork practically begs for.
tarragon
Tarragon's anise character is the defining herb in béarnaise sauce and French mustard—its bittersweet notes amplify mustard's pungency and are used together in classic French vinaigrettes.
Dill adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping mustard from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Honey adds seasoning or sweetness that balances mustard's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
Mustard's sharp heat cuts through pork fat and adds the tangy contrast pork practically begs for.
Tarragon's anise character is the defining herb in béarnaise sauce and French mustard—its bittersweet notes amplify mustard's pungency and are used together in classic French vinaigrettes.
Pairs well with
apples
apples, fruit
apples, juice
avocados
bay leaf
beef
beets
cabbage
cheeses
cheese, soufflé)
chicken
chile peppers
cold cuts
coriander
crab
cream and sour cream
cucumbers
cumin
cured meats
curries
curry leaves
egg dishes
fennel
fenugreek
fish
fruits
garlic
gingerbread
green beans
ham
herbs
lamb
leeks
lemon, juice
mayonnaise
meats, cold or hot
mint
mostarda (mustard fruits)
mussels
oil, canola
olive oil
onions
oregano
paprika
parsley
pastrami
pepper, black
pepper, green
pepper, white
potatoes
poultry
rabbit
salads and salad dressings
salmon
salt, kosher
sauces
sauerkraut
sausages
seafood
smoked fish
soy sauce
steaks
sumac
tomatoes
turmeric
vegetable-based dishes
vinaigrettes
vinegar, balsamic
vinegar, red wine
vinegar, white wine
walnuts, nuts
walnuts, oil
apples
Apples adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out mustard's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
apples, fruit
Apples, Fruit adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out mustard's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
apples, juice
Apples, Juice adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out mustard's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
avocados
Avocados adds complementary vegetable character, giving mustard more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
bay leaf
Bay Leaf adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping mustard from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
beef
Beef adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mustard more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
beets
Beets adds complementary vegetable character, giving mustard more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
cabbage
Cabbage adds complementary vegetable character, giving mustard more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
cheeses
Cheeses adds salt, fat, and creamy depth that give mustard more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
cheese, soufflé)
Cheese, Soufflé) adds salt, fat, and creamy depth that give mustard more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
chicken
Chicken adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mustard more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
chile peppers
Chile Peppers brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up mustard's milder flavors and adds contrast.
cold cuts
Cold Cuts complements mustard by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
coriander
Coriander adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mustard's natural base notes.
crab
Crab brings briny savory depth that contrasts with mustard's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
cream and sour cream
Cream And Sour Cream adds richness and helps carry mustard's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
cucumbers
Cucumbers adds complementary vegetable character, giving mustard more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
cumin
Cumin adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mustard's natural base notes.
cured meats
Cured Meats adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mustard more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
curries
Curries complements mustard by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
curry leaves
Curry Leaves adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mustard's natural base notes.
egg dishes
Egg Dishes complements mustard by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
fennel
Fennel adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mustard's natural base notes.
fenugreek
Fenugreek adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mustard's natural base notes.
fish
Fish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with mustard's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
fruits
Fruits adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out mustard's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
garlic
Garlic supplies an allium backbone that deepens mustard's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
gingerbread
Gingerbread gives mustard a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
green beans
Green Beans adds earthy body and protein, pairing well with mustard's savory or fresh notes in stews, salads, and sides.
ham
Ham adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mustard more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
herbs
Herbs complements mustard by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
lamb
Lamb adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mustard more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
leeks
Leeks supplies an allium backbone that deepens mustard's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
lemon, juice
Lemon, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens mustard's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
mayonnaise
Mayonnaise complements mustard by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
meats, cold or hot
Meats, Cold Or Hot adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mustard more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
mint
Mint adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping mustard from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
mostarda (mustard fruits)
Mostarda (Mustard Fruits) brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up mustard's milder flavors and adds contrast.
mussels
Mussels brings briny savory depth that contrasts with mustard's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
oil, canola
Oil, Canola adds richness and helps carry mustard's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
olive oil
Olive Oil adds richness and helps carry mustard's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
onions
Onions supplies an allium backbone that deepens mustard's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
oregano
Oregano adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping mustard from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
paprika
Paprika adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mustard's natural base notes.
parsley
Parsley adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping mustard from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
pastrami
Pastrami complements mustard by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
pepper, black
Pepper, Black brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up mustard's milder flavors and adds contrast.
pepper, green
Pepper, Green brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up mustard's milder flavors and adds contrast.
pepper, white
Pepper, White brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up mustard's milder flavors and adds contrast.
potatoes
Potatoes gives mustard a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
poultry
Poultry adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mustard more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
rabbit
Rabbit complements mustard by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
salads and salad dressings
Salads And Salad Dressings adds structure and seasoning that helps mustard integrate into a fuller dish instead of drifting around like an ingredient with no adult supervision.
salmon
Salmon brings briny savory depth that contrasts with mustard's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
salt, kosher
Salt, Kosher adds seasoning or sweetness that balances mustard's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
sauces
Sauces adds structure and seasoning that helps mustard integrate into a fuller dish instead of drifting around like an ingredient with no adult supervision.
sauerkraut
Sauerkraut complements mustard by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
sausages
Sausages adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping mustard from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
seafood
Seafood brings briny savory depth that contrasts with mustard's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
smoked fish
Smoked Fish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with mustard's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
soy sauce
Soy Sauce adds structure and seasoning that helps mustard integrate into a fuller dish instead of drifting around like an ingredient with no adult supervision.
steaks
Steaks adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mustard more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
sumac
Sumac brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up mustard's milder flavors and adds contrast.
tomatoes
Tomatoes adds complementary vegetable character, giving mustard more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
turmeric
Turmeric adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mustard's natural base notes.
vegetable-based dishes
Vegetable-Based Dishes complements mustard by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
vinaigrettes
Vinaigrettes adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps mustard work in sauces, drinks, desserts, or cooked preparations.
vinegar, balsamic
Vinegar, Balsamic adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps mustard work in sauces, drinks, desserts, or cooked preparations.
vinegar, red wine
Vinegar, Red Wine adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps mustard work in sauces, drinks, desserts, or cooked preparations.
vinegar, white wine
Vinegar, White Wine adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps mustard work in sauces, drinks, desserts, or cooked preparations.
walnuts, nuts
Walnuts, Nuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives mustard more contrast and substance.
walnuts, oil
Walnuts, Oil adds richness and helps carry mustard's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Apples adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out mustard's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
apples, fruit
Apples, Fruit adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out mustard's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
apples, juice
Apples, Juice adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out mustard's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Avocados adds complementary vegetable character, giving mustard more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Bay Leaf adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping mustard from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Beef adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mustard more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Beets adds complementary vegetable character, giving mustard more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Cabbage adds complementary vegetable character, giving mustard more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
cheeses
Cheeses adds salt, fat, and creamy depth that give mustard more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
cheese, soufflé)
Cheese, Soufflé) adds salt, fat, and creamy depth that give mustard more structure and make the combination feel fuller.
Chicken adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mustard more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Chile Peppers brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up mustard's milder flavors and adds contrast.
cold cuts
Cold Cuts complements mustard by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Coriander adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mustard's natural base notes.
Crab brings briny savory depth that contrasts with mustard's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
cream and sour cream
Cream And Sour Cream adds richness and helps carry mustard's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Cucumbers adds complementary vegetable character, giving mustard more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Cumin adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mustard's natural base notes.
cured meats
Cured Meats adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mustard more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
curries
Curries complements mustard by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Curry Leaves adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mustard's natural base notes.
egg dishes
Egg Dishes complements mustard by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Fennel adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mustard's natural base notes.
Fenugreek adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mustard's natural base notes.
Fish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with mustard's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
fruits
Fruits adds fruitiness and natural sweetness that rounds out mustard's sharper, richer, or more aromatic side.
Garlic supplies an allium backbone that deepens mustard's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
gingerbread
Gingerbread gives mustard a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
green beans
Green Beans adds earthy body and protein, pairing well with mustard's savory or fresh notes in stews, salads, and sides.
Ham adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mustard more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
herbs
Herbs complements mustard by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Lamb adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mustard more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Leeks supplies an allium backbone that deepens mustard's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
lemon, juice
Lemon, Juice brings acidity and brightness that sharpens mustard's flavor and keeps the pairing lively.
mayonnaise
Mayonnaise complements mustard by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
meats, cold or hot
Meats, Cold Or Hot adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mustard more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Mint adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping mustard from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
mostarda (mustard fruits)
Mostarda (Mustard Fruits) brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up mustard's milder flavors and adds contrast.
Mussels brings briny savory depth that contrasts with mustard's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
Oil, Canola adds richness and helps carry mustard's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Olive Oil adds richness and helps carry mustard's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.
Onions supplies an allium backbone that deepens mustard's savory side and gives the pairing a more complete cooked flavor.
Oregano adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping mustard from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Paprika adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mustard's natural base notes.
Parsley adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping mustard from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
pastrami
Pastrami complements mustard by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Pepper, Black brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up mustard's milder flavors and adds contrast.
pepper, green
Pepper, Green brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up mustard's milder flavors and adds contrast.
Pepper, White brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up mustard's milder flavors and adds contrast.
Potatoes gives mustard a starchy, baked, or dessert base that absorbs flavor and makes the pairing feel more substantial.
poultry
Poultry adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mustard more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Rabbit complements mustard by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
salads and salad dressings
Salads And Salad Dressings adds structure and seasoning that helps mustard integrate into a fuller dish instead of drifting around like an ingredient with no adult supervision.
Salmon brings briny savory depth that contrasts with mustard's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
Salt, Kosher adds seasoning or sweetness that balances mustard's sharper, richer, or earthier qualities.
sauces
Sauces adds structure and seasoning that helps mustard integrate into a fuller dish instead of drifting around like an ingredient with no adult supervision.
Sauerkraut complements mustard by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
Sausages adds herbal lift and aromatic contrast, keeping mustard from tasting too heavy, flat, or one-dimensional.
Seafood brings briny savory depth that contrasts with mustard's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
smoked fish
Smoked Fish brings briny savory depth that contrasts with mustard's sweeter, fresher, or creamy qualities.
Soy Sauce adds structure and seasoning that helps mustard integrate into a fuller dish instead of drifting around like an ingredient with no adult supervision.
steaks
Steaks adds savory richness and browned depth that gives mustard more weight and turns it into a heartier dish.
Sumac brings heat, sharpness, or tang that wakes up mustard's milder flavors and adds contrast.
Tomatoes adds complementary vegetable character, giving mustard more contrast in texture, sweetness, bitterness, or freshness.
Turmeric adds spice, warmth, or aromatic complexity that plays against mustard's natural base notes.
vegetable-based dishes
Vegetable-Based Dishes complements mustard by adding contrast, depth, or texture without overwhelming the ingredient's main character.
vinaigrettes
Vinaigrettes adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps mustard work in sauces, drinks, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Vinegar, Balsamic adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps mustard work in sauces, drinks, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Vinegar, Red Wine adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps mustard work in sauces, drinks, desserts, or cooked preparations.
Vinegar, White Wine adds acidity, sweetness, or aromatic depth that helps mustard work in sauces, drinks, desserts, or cooked preparations.
walnuts, nuts
Walnuts, Nuts adds nutty richness and texture that gives mustard more contrast and substance.
walnuts, oil
Walnuts, Oil adds richness and helps carry mustard's flavor, giving the pairing a smoother texture and a more rounded finish.