Sweet and Spicy Mardi Gras Mustard

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If regular honey mustard is a beloved part of your life and your condiment shelf, brace yourself for a sweet and spicy New Orleans-style party in your mouth - Popeye's copycat Mardi Gras Mustard.

bowl of creamy sauce served with fried shrimp.

We don't tackle very many copycat recipes here at Weekday Pescatarian, but every once in awhile something comes along that requires replicating. Mostly because I live outside the country now and need to make my own fast food sauces.

This super easy version of Popeye's iconic Mardi Gras Mustard is a family favorite and gets replicated no matter where in the world I land!

What you need to make this sauce:

Ingredients for recipe in bowls on a table and labeled

Before we get to the step by step directions, a few notes about the ingredients:

Mustards: this recipe calls for a combination of whole grain and spicy brown mustard. The mustard seeds add a lot of flavor and texture to the sauce, so I recommend using it if you can find it. Substitute Creole mustard for spicy brown mustard, if needed.

Deli-style horseradish: creamy deli-style horseradish is milder than prepared horseradish, which is just fresh grated and combined with vinegar. So if using prepared horseradish, start with 1 teaspoon, then taste and adjust.

Full ingredient list and measurements included in the printable recipe card below.

How to make this recipe:

1. Combine ingredients and rest

Add all ingredients in a small bowl. Stir until fully combined.

ingredients in a small bowl being stirred with a spoon

Refrigerate for a half hour. Stir and taste once the flavors blend, then adjust seasoning. Feel free to dial up the heat with more horseradish, Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.

Serve as a dipping sauce for Fried Shrimp, as a sandwich spread on Blackened Grouper Sandwich, Parmesan Truffle French Fries or as a delicious honey mustard sauce over your favorite salad.

finished recipe served in a white dish with popcorn shrimp on a cutting board

Looking for more delicious sauce recipes?

FAQ's, Variations and Serving Suggestions:

Can I use creole mustard in this recipe?

If you don't have whole grain mustard, Zatarain's creole mustard is a good substitute, or another stone ground mustard that gives you some texture in the sauce. In a pinch, just add an additional tablespoon of spicy brown mustard in place of whole grain. Two tablespoons Zatarain's creole mustard can be substituted in place of both mustards (whole grain and spicy brown).

What should I serve along with Mardi Gras Mustard?

For my money, the best pairings for Mardi Gras Mustard are Fried Shrimp and French Fries. But when you're looking for slightly healthier option, skip the vinaigrette and use this kicked up honey mustard dressing on the Tossed Salad for a Crowd. For non-pescatarians, serving this mustard sauce alongside ranch dressing, BBQ and a giant platter of chicken fingers sounds like an excellent strategy to me.

Is this mustard spicy?

As written this recipe offers a pretty balanced flavor. Depending on what I'm serving with the Mardi Gras Mustard, I will add an extra teaspoon or two of horseradish for additional spice. If you're looking for a truly tongue-tingling experience, add a quarter teaspoon of cayenne and a few shakes of hot sauce, then taste and adjust seasoning from there.

Does mustard ever go out of date?

Though each bottle's lifespan will vary, in general, mustard's flavor and texture will degrade over time, making it unusable. Every few months be sure to check all the dates on your condiment shelves!

How to store Mardi Gras Mustard?

Keep leftover dipping sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.