Does Dijon Mustard Need to Be Refrigerated?

Dijon mustard should be a name recognized by condiment connoisseurs everywhere. While we know that yellow mustard is fine to be left out, it makes sense to wonder whether the additional spices and ingredients require that it be kept cold.

Dijon mustard does not need to be refrigerated. It is perfectly safe to leave it out at room temperature after opening the container. However, if you would like to lock in the flavor, refrigerating dijon mustard is an effective way to help preserve the flavor. 

It turns out it is completely up to you whether or not you want to leave mustard out, regardless of what type it is. There are a few things to consider though, like why a brand will label it with a “best by” date as opposed to an expiration date. Check out what I found.

Dijon Mustard Does Not Need to Be Refrigerated

Consumers who would prefer not to clutter their refrigerator with an avalanche of condiments can rejoice. While dijon and other types of mustard do not need to be kept cold to keep from spoiling, you may want to anyway. As it turns out, refrigerating your mustard will actually keep the flavor at its best so you do not end up with a bland taste the next time you use it.

These are some interesting facts about dijon:

• Dijon mustard does not expire and is not made with ingredients that go bad
• Dijon mustard uses vinegar to essentially self-preserve itself
• While it is suggested to refrigerate your mustard, freezing it is a bad idea

That being said, it is completely safe to leave out. There is nothing in a container of mustard that will spoil, regardless of the temperature.

However, the taste is the only thing you will have to consider when deciding where to store it. If you are somewhat of a purist and would like the best dijon flavor possible then you would ideally keep it in the fridge. If that is not a concern for you then go ahead and leave it out, you can not go wrong.

Dijon Mustard Does Not Expire

Yes, you read that correctly.

Dijon mustard does not ever expire. Believe it or not, there is not anything in a container of dijon mustard that will go rotten. But, before you start stashing tubs of dijon in your fallout shelter, we should go over the facts. The ingredients are all safe over an extended period. Dijon consists of mustard seeds, white vinegar, water, and salt, all of which are preservative in nature.

That being said, the package will not have an expiration date. It will likely have a “best by” date. 

• This date is when the flavor will begin to fade away, usually somewhere between 18-24 months
• While you may be the type to savor the sensation of something you love, that should be plenty of time for you to finish your dijon mustard
• Regardless of whether you refrigerate dijon mustard or not, the flavor will start to diminish after 18-24 months

It should be noted that store-bought mustard will more than likely contain sulfites. These sulfites are not particularly harmful, however, they can be a real problem if someone in your household has allergies to them. It is important to recognize these added ingredients and if this is not something you are compliant with there are tons and tons of dijon mustard recipes available on the internet.

Dijon Mustard Can Contain Vinegar

Dijon mustard is creamy and sharp, making it a delicious accompaniment to a wide array of dishes. That sharpness is due in part to a combination of white vinegar, water, and salt. This is a super common ingredient found in just about every single type of dijon mustard.

Dijon mustard was originally created using white wine or verjuice, the acidic juice of unripe grapes. White wine is obviously more accessible than verjuice, however, if you know someone who has some laying around maybe it would be a good idea to ask for some if you would like authentic dijon mustard. These two ingredients are used to mix in with soaked mustard seeds, cutting through their sharpness with acidity.

Can Dijon Mustard Be Frozen?

Dijon mustard should not be frozen. Freezing it will cause the ingredients to separate and likely adversely affect the flavor once thawed and mixed back in together.

To add to this, it may not mix back together properly at all. Freezing your dijon mustard may actually ruin it altogether. On top of that, it will not last any longer in the freezer than it would anywhere else so it should be deemed worthless to keep it in there. You are better off keeping it in your cupboard or refrigerator.

Final Thoughts

Refrigerating your dijon mustard is completely up to you. The only real consequence you may suffer from storing it in your pantry is that the flavor will likely phase out quicker than cold storage. 

If that is not something that bothers you all too much, then leave it out. If you are someone who appreciates flavor and wants to keep that savory taste intact, then find a place for it in the fridge. The choice is yours entirely. 

Again, it cannot be mentioned enough, do not under any circumstances freeze your dijon mustard though. This will separate the ingredients, potentially ruining your mustard altogether. 

Thanks for stoppin’ by!

For more, check out 9 Yummy Substitutes for Barbecue Sauce (And Easy DIY Recipe).