Maple Mustard Dressing

This low-FODMAP maple mustard dressing replaces the honey in classic honey mustard with pure maple syrup, keeping the sweet-tangy flavor without the excess fructose that makes honey a problem.

Prep 5 min

Cook 1 min

Serves 6

Gluten-freeDairy-freeVegan

Classic honey mustard leans on honey, which is high in excess fructose and off the table in the elimination phase. This version keeps the same balance of sweet, sharp, and tangy by swapping in pure maple syrup, which stays low-FODMAP at tested servings. It comes together in one bowl and works as a salad dressing, a dip for chicken, or a glaze for roasted potatoes.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup (60 mL) extra-virgin olive oil (or garlic-infused olive oil for garlic flavor)
• 3 tablespoons (45 mL) Dijon mustard (check the label and skip any that list onion or garlic; choose a gluten-free brand if you need it)
• 2 tablespoons (30 mL) pure maple syrup (low-FODMAP at 1 tablespoon per Monash; this recipe uses about 1 teaspoon per serving)
• 2 tablespoons (30 mL) apple cider vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
• 1 tablespoon (15 mL) fresh lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
• 1 teaspoon (5 mL) whole grain mustard (optional, for texture)
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt, or to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Combine the base

1. Add the Dijon mustard, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice (if using) to a small bowl.
2. Whisk until the mustard and maple syrup are fully blended and the mixture looks smooth.

Emulsify

1. Pour in the olive oil in a slow, steady stream while whisking constantly. The dressing will thicken and turn glossy as the oil combines with the acid.
2. Whisk in the whole grain mustard, if using, along with the salt and a few grinds of black pepper.

Taste and adjust

1. Taste on a piece of lettuce or a spoon. Add a little more maple syrup for sweetness, more vinegar for tang, or a pinch more salt to round it out.
2. Use right away, or transfer to a sealed jar and refrigerate. Shake or whisk again before each use, since the oil and acid separate as they sit.

Tips & Substitutions

• Make it creamy. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of plain mayonnaise or lactose-free plain yogurt for a thicker, dip-style honey mustard. Check that the mayonnaise has no onion or garlic in the ingredient list.
• Add garlic flavor. Swap the plain oil for garlic-infused olive oil. Fructans are not oil-soluble, so infused oil carries the flavor without the FODMAPs found in garlic bulb.
• Check the mustard label. Some Dijon and prepared mustards add onion powder, garlic, or wheat-based ingredients. Plain mustard made from mustard seed, vinegar, water, and salt is your safest bet.
• Shake it in a jar. If you would rather not whisk, add everything to a lidded jar and shake hard for 20 seconds. It emulsifies just as well and stores in the same container.
• Adjust the ratio. Start with less maple syrup and vinegar, then build up to taste. Mustards vary in sharpness, so the balance shifts from brand to brand.
• Green onion note. For a mild oniony lift, whisk in 1 tablespoon of finely sliced scallion (green tops only). The green parts of scallions and leeks are low-FODMAP while the white bulb is not.

Why This Works

• Maple syrup replaces honey. Honey is high in excess fructose, which is why standard honey mustard is off-limits. Maple syrup is low-FODMAP at a 2-tablespoon serving, and this recipe spreads about 2 tablespoons across six servings.
• Mustard is naturally low FODMAP. Plain mustard made from mustard seed, vinegar, and salt has no added onion or garlic, so it delivers sharpness without fructans. Confirm current serving sizes in the Monash app.
• Garlic flavor without fructans. Using garlic-infused oil instead of garlic bulb keeps the savory note because the fructans that trigger symptoms do not dissolve into oil.
• Oil and vinegar carry no FODMAPs. Olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice are FODMAP-free at normal dressing amounts, so the base of the recipe stays gentle by design.

Storage

Store the dressing in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The oil and acid will separate as it chills, so shake or whisk it back together before serving. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled; there is no need to reheat. Freezing is not recommended, since the emulsion breaks and the texture turns grainy once thawed.

Not sure about an ingredient? The FODMAP Foods app rates 1,000+ foods low, moderate, or high FODMAP, with the safe portion for each, so you can cook with confidence.