Dijon mustard has about 5 calories per teaspoon; a tablespoon has roughly 15 calories.
1 tsp (5 g)
1 Tbsp (15 g)
100 g
Classic Dijon
- Smooth paste
- Sharp with wine notes
- Best for dressings
Smooth & punchy
Whole-Grain Dijon
- Visible seeds
- Nutty bite
- Great for sandwiches
Coarse texture
Honey Dijon
- Touch of sugar
- Sweeter finish
- Glaze veggies
Slightly higher kcal
Dijon Mustard Calories At A Glance
Most jars list 5 calories per 1 teaspoon (5 g). That’s why a quick swipe on a sandwich barely nudges your daily total. Double the portion to 1 tablespoon (15 g) and you’re still at about 15 calories. Brand recipes vary a touch, but the range stays tight across classic Dijon, whole-grain, and honey Dijon made with added sweetener.
Calories stay low because mustard is a water-heavy paste made from ground seeds, vinegar, and salt. The seeds bring bold flavor without much energy. The liquid stretches that flavor across a larger volume, so a teaspoon packs punch while the calorie load stays tiny.
Serving Sizes And Calories
| Serving | Calories | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon (5 g) | ≈5 kcal | Label value on many brands |
| 1 tablespoon (15 g) | ≈15 kcal | Three teaspoons |
| 2 tablespoons (30 g) | ≈30 kcal | Common for dressings |
| 1 ounce (28 g) | ≈28 kcal | Near 2 Tbsp |
| 100 grams | 60–110 kcal | Varies by brand and style |
| Single packet (4–5 g) | ≈4–5 kcal | Fast-casual packets |
Numbers above reflect typical labels and lab datasets for prepared Dijon. Brands built with wine and a bit more seed can land closer to 100 kcal per 100 g, while leaner formulas sit near 60–70 kcal per 100 g. The teaspoon line still rounds to about five either way.
Mind sodium too. Keep servings under the daily sodium limit when you’re piling on spreads or mixing big bowls.
What Actually Drives The Numbers
Portion size is the big lever. Most home uses fall between 1–2 teaspoons, with dressings climbing higher. Style matters too. Honey Dijon includes sugar, so calories rise slightly. Whole-grain versions hold intact seeds, yet totals are similar because the base is still water and vinegar.
Calories In Dijon Mustard Per Tablespoon: What To Expect
A level tablespoon is around 15 calories for classic Dijon. A heaped tablespoon can creep higher, but you would taste the salt and tang long before calories become a concern. Sodium, not energy, is the nutrient to watch with generous squeezes.
Many labels show about 110–120 mg sodium per teaspoon. Three teaspoons puts a tablespoon near 330–360 mg. If you eat salty meats or pickles in the same meal, that stack can add up fast.
Sodium, Flavor, And Smart Swaps
Use mustard to replace part of the salt in dressings and marinades. The acidity brightens meat and vegetables, so you can pull back on added salt without losing pop. When building sauces, blend Dijon with plain yogurt, olive oil, or water to soften the bite and stretch flavor across more servings.
Labels, Databases, And Real-World Jars
You’ll see small differences across brands. That comes from seed type, grind, vinegar strength, and wine content. Retail jars often print 5 calories per teaspoon with 0 g fat and carbs, while some lab datasets show a few grams of fat and carbs per 100 g because mustard seeds carry oil and fiber. Both can be true: the per-teaspoon rounding hides tiny amounts. The FDA’s prepared mustard composition explains recipe leeway, and the FDA sodium guidance sets a clear daily cap.
If you need an exact count for medical tracking or a cut phase, check the brand’s SmartLabel page and cross-reference a nutrient database. Then measure by weight for dressings so the math stays tight across batches.
Styles, Brands, And Typical Nutrition
Here’s a simple snapshot to help you scan options quickly. Sodium varies more than calories, so skim that middle column when you use big spoonfuls in sauces or potato salad.
| Style/Brand | Calories (1 tsp) | Sodium (1 tsp) |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Dijon (Grey Poupon) | ≈5 kcal | ≈115–120 mg |
| Whole-Grain Dijon | ≈5 kcal | ≈60–120 mg |
| Honey Dijon | ≈10 kcal | ≈80–140 mg |
| Store-Brand Dijon | 0–5 kcal | ≈50–120 mg |
Ways To Use Dijon Without Blowing Your Budget
Sandwich Spreads That Stay Light
Swipe 1 teaspoon on both slices instead of mayonnaise. You keep bold flavor and shave dozens of calories. For a creamy vibe, mix Dijon with a spoon of Greek yogurt and a tiny drizzle of olive oil.
Five-Minute Dressings
Whisk 1 tablespoon Dijon, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, and 2 tablespoons olive oil with a pinch of pepper. Toss with greens, beans, or roasted vegetables. Want lower calories? Swap half the oil for water and shake longer; the mustard keeps it stable.
Pan Sauces
After searing chicken thighs or mushrooms, deglaze with stock and a small splash of wine. Off heat, whisk in 1–2 teaspoons Dijon. The result is glossy and loud without cream.
Buying, Storing, And Measuring
Pick A Jar That Fits Your Cooking
Choose squeeze bottles for sandwiches and tablespoons, and a screw-top jar if you cook dressings often. If you like crunch, grab a coarse or country style. If you want smooth sauces, stick with classic.
Storage And Shelf Life
Unopened jars keep for months in a cool pantry. Once opened, refrigerate to protect flavor and color. Most jars taste best within three months. The label date guides quality, not safety. If the aroma turns flat or harsh, or the texture separates and won’t whisk back, open a fresh jar.
Weighing For Accuracy
One teaspoon weighs about 5 g; one tablespoon weighs about 15 g. A pocket scale removes guesswork when you log dressings or dips. Tare the bowl, spoon in mustard, and read the grams. Multiply by the label’s calories per 100 g to get a precise number.
Dijon Mustard Nutrition Beyond Calories
Macros And Micronutrients
Per 100 g, prepared Dijon often shows small amounts of protein, carbs, and fat from the ground seeds. Fiber appears in some datasets too. Per teaspoon, those grams are tiny and round to zero on labels. Sodium is the standout value in most jars.
Allergens And Ingredients
Mustard seed is the core ingredient and is an allergen in several regions. Most classic recipes include vinegar, water, salt, and sometimes white wine. Many brands are gluten-free, but always scan the label if you’re sensitive to wine vinegar sources. Honey Dijon includes sweetener. “Country” or “whole-grain” versions keep some seeds intact.
Portion Math You Can Use Tonight
Cooking for two? Whisk 2 tablespoons Dijon with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 2 tablespoons water. That yields about 5 tablespoons of sauce. Per person, that’s a bit over 1 tablespoon, or roughly 15 calories from the mustard. Add a teaspoon of olive oil per plate if you want more body; now each serving climbs by 40 calories, still tidy for a weeknight.
Roasting vegetables? Toss 1 kilogram of carrots with a mix of 1 tablespoon Dijon, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Coat evenly and roast at high heat. The glaze adds around 120 calories to the whole tray, or close to 10–15 calories per 100 g serving of carrots.
Write “5 g = 1 tsp = 5 kcal” on a small sticky and wrap it around a spoon handle. That cue helps the whole house keep servings sensible without fuss.
Taste Tips That Stretch Flavor
Dijon is sharp and aromatic, so a little spreads far. For quick salads, rub a clove of garlic around the inside of a mixing bowl, add Dijon, vinegar, and a pinch of pepper, then whisk. That ghost of garlic deepens the dressing without extra oil. For meats, mix equal parts Dijon and yogurt, smear thinly, and broil. You get browning and tang with little energy added.
If sodium is on your radar, look for jars at the lower end of the range and lean on herbs, citrus, and pepper for lift. When you use pickles, capers, or cured meats in the same plate, keep the mustard serving small and let acidity do the work.
Where The Numbers Come From
Two sources guide the figures in this guide: brand labels and lab-based datasets. SmartLabel pages for retail jars list energy and sodium per teaspoon. Large datasets compile values per 100 grams from laboratory analysis of prepared mustard. When a label rounds small amounts to zero, the 100 g line shows the tiny grams hiding in that rounding. Both views are useful.
Bottom Line For Your Kitchen
Dijon gives you loud flavor for pennies on the calorie budget. Keep portions modest when salty foods share the plate, and lean on lemon, herbs, and pepper to round things out. Want a simple way to balance plates across the week? Try our daily calorie needs guide and slot Dijon into sauces, not spreads alone. Keep meals tasty, light.