Maple Mustard Dressing

The dressing uses tamari, which gives the sauce an umami flavor, maple syrup for a little sweetness, and spicy brown mustard and apple cider vinegar for a tangy flavor.  The tahini thickens the dressing, giving it a creamier consistency.

This vegan maple mustard dressing was created specifically for my mustard tempeh bowl, which features sweet potatoes, kale, avocado, apple, and baked tempeh.  The dressing has a strong, assertive flavor to coat bitter greens like kale, but would go great on many grain bowls or vegan Buddha bowls.   

For another vegan mustard dressing, try vegan oil-free honey mustard with maple syrup, maple dijon tahini dressing, or vegan cashew dressing with dijon mustard.  For more vegan dressing recipes, check out our post for oil-free salad dressings.

Recipe features

• Easy to make using simple ingredients!
• Only takes 5 minutes to make!
• Dairy-free, plant-based, vegan, oil-free!
• Great on kale salads or grain bowls!
• Sweet, savory, and tangy!

Ingredient notes and substitutions

The dressing uses simple ingredients, but please see the recipe card below for the exact measurements.

Spicy brown mustard - Dijon mustard can be substituted if you prefer a tangier kick.  Whole-grain mustard can also be substituted for a dressing with a coarser texture and no kick.

Maple syrup - Agave can be used instead of maple syrup.

Tamari - Low-sodium soy sauce can also work.  Use 2 tablespoons of tamari for a sweeter sauce or 3 tablespoons for a more savory flavor.

Tahini - The fat in tahini thickens the dressing, giving it a creamier consistency.  Stir the tahini before measuring.

Apple cider vinegar - This adds tanginess to the dressing and helps balance the sweetness from the maple syrup and the savoriness from the tamari.  If you substitute with another vinegar, I would stick with a milder vinegar and start with less. Taste and then add more if needed.

Tips

• Stir the tahini before measuring.
• If you prefer a thinner consistency, add a splash of water to thin the dressing out.
• Use 2 tablespoons of tamari for a sweeter sauce, or use 3 tablespoons of tamari for a more savory sauce.

How to make a maple mustard salad dressing

1. Measure out all of the ingredients.
2. In a medium bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk all of the ingredients together until smooth.
3. Taste and adjust if needed.

Storage

The mustard dressing is great for meal prep.  Store a batch in an airtight container for about 5 days in the refrigerator.

Serving suggestions

With just a few simple ingredients, this salad dressing can be whipped up in about 5 minutes. It's very versatile and can be used as a dressing for Buddha bowls or kale salads.

• Try it on a mustard tempeh Buddha bowl, with sweet potatoes, apples, avocado, and tempeh.
• Use it for Buddha or grain bowls.
• Drizzle on a kale salad with sweet potatoes instead of lemon herb tahini.
• I enjoy it with salads that have apples, pears, and/or sweet potatoes.
• Add it to a salad with hearty greens like kale.
• Serve it with roasted Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, or broccoli.

Frequently asked questions

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