The Best Way to Store Dijon Mustard
Unopened jars
In the intro to this article, we touched on the fact that many people will be drawn toward storing their Dijon mustard in the same way that they would a tabasco or Worcestershire sauce. Unfortunately, this is by no means the best method. Instead, it is best to lump the Dijon into the mayonnaise category of storage. This means keeping it cool and dry and always minimalizing its contact with air. In the case of unopened jars of Dijon, these are mercifully hassle-free to store. Simply tuck them away somewhere that isn’t in direct sunlight. The back of a cabinet or in the pantry will do perfectly.
Opened jars
When dealing with an already opened container of Dijon mustard, the key thing to remember is to always make sure that it is very tightly sealed. If there is even a crack left open for air to get in, the liquid contents of the jar will begin to evaporate into the ether. Now, this isn’t a total disaster when it does happen, as all you are really losing from the mix is the vinegar content. In most cases, if spoilage hasn’t begun to occur, you can simply top up the vinegar content yourself. Just make sure to give it a good stir while doing so.
Additional tips
Sometimes, with jars that have been in storage for quite some time, you may begin to notice that the contents have begun to separate. Though this can give the initial appearance that something drastically wrong has happened, there is no need to panic and throw out the whole thing just yet. Instead, grab a butter knife and simply whisk it all back together again. Another handy tip is to always make sure that you’re using clean utensils while digging into the contents of the jar. Should a dirty implement be used, the bacteria can infect the mustard causing it to go bad long before it should.
How Long Does Dijon Mustard Last?
Unopened jars
We here have often found ourselves disregarding the sell-by date on mustard entirely. After all, it is made with vinegar (a preserving agent), so it’s nothing to worry about, right? Well, the answer to this is yes and no. Yes, it does go some way to preserving the overall contents. But no, it does not work as well as to negate the effects of time entirely. As a rule, an unopened jar of Dijon mustard will store for up to three months beyond the printed sell-by date, if the jar is correctly stored. However, there is a chance that at this point the mustard will still be totally fine, but the flavors will have dulled somewhat. The texture is also subject to change over time.
Opened jars
In terms of opened jars of Dijon, the fridge is undoubtedly a better home for your mustard than the pantry, particularly if you don’t use it too often. In fact, the gulf in longevity between the two is quite remarkable. From the date that the jar was opened, it will last for about a month in the pantry but in excess of 9 months in the fridge. However, it is worth noting that some manufacturers will provide definite dates and information regarding how to store the Dijon. If it is the case that this information isn’t provided, we would recommend following these guidelines here. If they are, go with the exact methodology suggested by the manufacturer. Should it be the case that you have followed these guidelines and you still find the contents of your Dijon jar a bit suspect, please consult the section below on how to tell if mustard has spoiled.
Signs That Your Dijon Mustard May Have Gone Off
In most cases, mustard won’t have the chance to go off before it begins to simply lose quality. As such, it is far more likely that you will end up discarding Dijon because it has lost all of the positive elements of its flavor instead of discarding it because it smells rancid. However, one sign of spoilage that you should be keeping an eye out for is blue mold. Though rare, it is possible, and in this case, the entire jar should be discarded. Another good reason to discard a jar of mustard is if it has gone a long way beyond its sell-by date. Mostly though, one can simply have a little taste of the mustard. If it doesn’t taste like much anymore, it just isn’t really worth keeping and can’t be salvaged.
Can Dijon Mustard be Refrigerated?
It seems that most people instinctively put opened jars of Dijon back into the fridge after use; and they’re absolutely correct in doing so! Though an opened jar can either be returned to the pantry or put into the fridge, it will last much, much longer in the fridge. So really, if you are going to go through a jar of Dijon fairly rapidly, the pantry will be just fine. But, when you think about it, putting in the fridge is a much better habit to get into if it prolongs the life of the product. In terms of freezing mustard, we can’t find any information anywhere to suggest that there are any positives to doing so.
Is Dijon mustard vegan?
Unlike yellow mustard, Dijon mustard is not a vegan product. Though all ingredients in the mustard are technically vegan, the filtering process is not. The filtering process generally involves such dairy products as gelatin, casein (milk protein), isinglass (fish bladder protein), and albumin (egg whites).
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