Understanding Your Condiments: Does Honey Mustard Have a Lot of Sugar in It?

November 10, 2025 •

5 min read

According to nutrition data, a two-tablespoon serving of commercial honey mustard can contain anywhere from 5 to 6 grams of sugar or more, with some brands listing sweeteners like corn syrup ahead of honey in the ingredients. So, does honey mustard have a lot of sugar in it? The answer depends on the brand and preparation.

Quick Summary

Commercial honey mustard often contains significant amounts of added sugars and corn syrup, which can vary widely by brand. Consumers can manage their sugar intake by reading labels carefully, choosing lower-sugar options, or making healthier homemade versions.

Key Points

Check the Label: Commercial honey mustard often contains significant added sugars like corn syrup and regular sugar, so always check the ingredient list and nutrition facts.
Serving Size Matters: The listed serving size is often small and not representative of actual use. Larger portions mean more sugar than you realize.
Homemade is Healthier: Making your own honey mustard gives you full control over the ingredients, allowing you to use healthier fats and control the type and amount of sweetener.
Consider Low-Sugar Alternatives: For a healthier option, explore sugar-free brands or substitute regular mustard with low-carb sweeteners or Greek yogurt.
Moderate Your Intake: If you prefer commercial brands, use them sparingly. Paying attention to portion sizes is an effective strategy for managing sugar intake from condiments.
Compare to Other Condiments: Honey mustard typically has more sugar than plain mustard, but less than many BBQ sauces, making it a middle-ground option that requires attention to content.

The Sweet Deception of Commercial Honey Mustard

For many, the name 'honey mustard' suggests a simple, natural sweetness from honey. However, a closer look at the ingredient list of most commercial brands reveals a more complex, and often less healthy, picture. While honey is a component, it's rarely the primary sweetener. Ingredients like high fructose corn syrup and plain ol' sugar frequently appear higher on the list, meaning they are present in greater quantities than the actual honey. This practice allows manufacturers to achieve a sweet flavor profile at a lower cost, but it also significantly increases the overall sugar content of the condiment.

The variability in sugar content across brands is another point of concern for health-conscious consumers. Some companies offer products with lower sugar, while others pack a surprising amount into a small serving. A study of different condiments noted that popular honey mustard dipping sauces could contain up to 6 grams of sugar per 2-tablespoon serving. This adds up quickly, especially when used generously on salads, sandwiches, or as a dipping sauce. Unlike yellow mustard, which is typically very low in sugar, honey mustard's sweetness is a primary contributor to its overall calorie count.

Decoding the Nutrition Label

To truly understand the sugar content of any honey mustard, becoming a savvy label reader is essential. This requires paying attention to both the ingredients list and the nutrition facts panel.

Ingredient List

Order matters: Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. If 'sugar,' 'high fructose corn syrup,' or other sweeteners are near the top, the product is likely high in sugar.
Hidden names: Manufacturers use many different names for sugar, such as corn syrup, cane sugar, and molasses. A long list of these ingredients is a red flag.

Nutrition Facts Panel

Serving size: This is one of the most crucial elements to check, as it can be deceptively small. A product might look low in sugar, but its '1-teaspoon' serving size is easily exceeded, multiplying your actual sugar intake. A standard 'two-tablespoon' serving is often the basis for comparison, but many people use much more.
Total Sugars vs. Added Sugars: The label will typically list 'Total Sugars' and, more helpfully, 'Includes Xg Added Sugars.' The latter number directly indicates how much sugar has been added by the manufacturer, separate from any naturally occurring sugars.

Comparison: Honey Mustard vs. Other Condiments

To put honey mustard's sugar levels into perspective, let's compare it to other common condiments. This table illustrates how different choices can impact your sugar intake.


Condiment	Typical Serving Size	Typical Sugar Content	Notes
Honey Mustard	2 tbsp	5-7g	Varies significantly by brand; can contain corn syrup.
Ketchup	1 tbsp	4g	Sugar content can be high, often with a smaller serving size.
BBQ Sauce	2 tbsp	9-12g or more	Often one of the highest in added sugar.
Yellow Mustard	1 tbsp	Negligible	Generally very low in calories, sugar, and fat.
Plain Mayonnaise	1 tbsp	Negligible	Primarily fat, not sugar.
Light Ranch Dressing	2 tbsp	2-4g	Generally lower in sugar than creamy alternatives, but still contains some.

Creating Healthier Honey Mustard Alternatives

Fortunately, for those who love the taste but want to control their sugar intake, there are plenty of options to make or find healthier versions of honey mustard.

Here are a few ways to reduce the sugar in your honey mustard:

Make it yourself: This is the best way to control all the ingredients. A simple recipe might include high-quality Dijon or yellow mustard, a healthy oil like extra-virgin olive oil, a small amount of real honey or maple syrup for sweetness, and a dash of vinegar or lemon juice for tang.
Use low-carb sweeteners: For those following a ketogenic or very low-carb diet, liquid stevia, monk fruit, or other keto-friendly sweeteners can replace honey entirely.
Substitute Greek yogurt: Swap the mayonnaise base for plain, high-protein Greek yogurt. This creates a creamy, tangy base with a fraction of the fat and calories while boosting protein.
Search for sugar-free brands: A number of brands now offer sugar-free or low-sugar versions of popular condiments. Companies like G Hughes have a sugar-free honey mustard product.
Adjust portions: Even with commercial varieties, controlling portion size is key. Measure out a single serving rather than pouring freely from the bottle. A smaller amount can still deliver a burst of flavor without a massive sugar load.

Conclusion

While a dollop of honey mustard is unlikely to derail a healthy diet, the answer to 'does honey mustard have a lot of sugar in it?' for commercial varieties is a resounding 'often, yes.' The high added sugar and misleading serving sizes common in many commercial brands mean that moderation is key. By reading nutrition labels carefully, choosing lower-sugar brands, or, for the healthiest option, making your own at home, you can enjoy this classic condiment without the unexpected sugar rush.

American Diabetes Association offers a recipe for 'No Honey Mustard' using monk fruit sweetener

What is the difference between honey mustard and regular mustard?

Heading: Ingredient Profile & Sugar Content. Regular yellow or Dijon mustard is primarily made from mustard seeds, vinegar, and spices, containing negligible amounts of sugar. Honey mustard, by definition, includes a sweetener (often honey, but also sugar and corn syrup in commercial versions), which significantly increases its sugar and calorie content.

Is honey mustard a good choice for a diabetic diet?

Heading: Not Recommended, With Exceptions. Due to its high sugar content, regular honey mustard is not recommended for people managing diabetes. However, low-sugar or sugar-free varieties are available, and homemade versions using approved sweeteners can be a safer alternative.

Can I make a low-sugar honey mustard dressing at home?

Heading: Yes, Easily Adaptable. Yes, you can easily control the sugar. Recipes often swap honey for a controlled amount of a low-carb sweetener like stevia or monk fruit, and may use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise to reduce fat and add tang.

How does the serving size affect the total sugar intake?

Heading: Serving Sizes Are Crucial. Many brands list a small serving size (e.g., 1 teaspoon) to make the sugar content appear low, but people often use a much larger amount. This means that if you use 2 or 3 tablespoons, you could be consuming several times the listed sugar.

What are some healthy alternatives to honey mustard?

Heading: Multiple Healthy Choices. Good alternatives include plain mustard (yellow or Dijon), homemade dressings made with olive oil and vinegar, or a creamy Greek yogurt-based dip with herbs and spices. Pesto and guacamole can also offer flavor without high added sugar.

Do all honey mustard brands have the same sugar content?

Heading: Significant Variation Exists. No, the sugar content can vary significantly between brands. Different manufacturers use varying amounts and types of sweeteners. Always check the nutrition label for the most accurate information on a specific product.

Why is high fructose corn syrup used in some honey mustard?

Heading: Low-Cost Sweetener. Some manufacturers use high fructose corn syrup as a low-cost sweetener to achieve the desired sweet-and-tangy flavor. It is often cheaper than using pure honey and can be listed prominently on the ingredients list of commercial brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Regular mustard, such as yellow or Dijon, contains minimal to no sugar. Honey mustard, however, includes a sweetener—usually a mix of honey, sugar, and corn syrup in commercial versions—which significantly raises its calorie and sugar count.

Regular honey mustard, with its high sugar content, is generally not recommended for a diabetic diet. Opting for specially formulated low-sugar or sugar-free products, or preparing a homemade version with a non-caloric sweetener, are safer alternatives.

Yes, absolutely. You can easily make a low-sugar honey mustard at home by combining Dijon or yellow mustard with a healthy oil like olive oil, a small amount of real honey or maple syrup, and lemon juice. For an even lower-sugar option, replace honey with a low-carb sweetener like stevia or monk fruit.

Serving size is very important, as commercial honey mustard labels often list a small amount (e.g., 1 teaspoon or 1 tablespoon). If you use a larger quantity, your actual sugar intake will be much higher than the amount shown on the label.

Healthy alternatives include plain yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, hot sauces, or making a simple dressing with olive oil and vinegar. For a creamy texture, consider using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise in a homemade version.

No, there is significant variation in sugar content among brands. Always check the nutrition label and ingredient list of the specific product you are buying to compare the amounts of sugar and sweeteners.

Many commercial brands use high fructose corn syrup as a cheaper alternative to honey. This ingredient provides sweetness and is often listed before honey on the ingredient list, indicating a higher quantity.