The Winner Of All Honey Mustard Brands Ranked Number One In Our Taste Test (And It Wasn't Even Close)

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When you think mustard, chances are, you think French's. Of course, the best-known brand associated with a particular product isn't always the best in terms of quality when pitted against competitors. However, in this case, French's took top spot in our ranking of 15 store-bought honey mustard brands. That's a lot of mustard — and an impressive win. 

Unlike other honey mustards in the ranking, which lost points for being too spicy, too oily, or too sweet, French's was praised for having the perfect balance — a bit spicy at the start, with a smooth, sweet finish. Both the mustard and honey were identifiable on the palate, just as any fan would want. French's honey mustard is made with real honey, but it's worth noting the other honey mustards we ranked also have honey in its ingredients. French's reassuringly short ingredients rundown also includes vinegar, water, sugar, mustard seed, and various flavoring elements.

However, what really made French's product stand out was its mouthfeel and texture. It was thicker than other sauces in the ranking (although, to be fair, some of them were actually labeled as dressings). In other words, our reviewer appreciated the mustard wasn't watered down with money-saving add-ins like oils. A further benefit of the thickness is that it can be used as an ingredient to enhance marinades or transform a creamy honey mustard dipping sauce.

Consumers agree French's honey mustard is a good buy. Although, according to the reviews on McCormick's website, one person wished there was more of a mustard flavor, while another thought the mustard flavor was too prominent. This is one good reason you might prefer to make your own honey mustard — you can adjust the levels of mustardy-ness and sweetness to your precise preference. Several reviewers reported the mustard is a perfect mix of sweet and salty. "French's Honey Mustard provides the tang that I'm looking for with just enough sweetness to make it interesting," stated one reviewer. "The honey to mustard ratio was perfection," noted another. 

If you do buy a bottle of honey mustard and are disappointed by the balance of honey to mustard, try either adding a bit more honey or squirt of yellow or brown mustard. You may be able to fix the balance and create your perfect condiment. For a spicier kick, consider adding hot peppers to your tangy honey mustard condiment — you may not be able to resist drizzling on just about everything.