BJ’s Restaurant Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

If you’ve ever savored a burger or salad at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, you know their signature sauces are unforgettable.This copycat BJ’s Restaurant honey mustard dressing recipe brings that iconic restaurant flavor straight to your kitchen.

Whether you’re craving bj’s signature burger sauce for your homemade burgers or bjs salad dressing to elevate your greens, this sweet and tangy condiment delivers authentic taste in just minutes.

Made with simple pantry ingredients like honey, mustard, and mayo, this versatile sauce captures the essence of BJ’s beloved sweet madness dressing that fans rave about.

What Does It Taste Like?

This bj’s burger sauce strikes a perfect balance between sweet and tangy with creamy richness throughout.

The honey provides natural sweetness that dances with the sharp, zesty punch of Dijon mustard, while mayonnaise creates a velvety smooth texture. Rice wine vinegar adds bright acidity that cuts through the richness, and optional cayenne pepper introduces a subtle warmth that lingers pleasantly on your palate.

The overall flavor profile is addictively complex yet approachable sweet enough for kids, sophisticated enough for adults, and versatile enough to complement everything from crispy chicken tenders to fresh garden salads.

BJ’s Restaurant Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe Ingredients You’ll Need

• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (or yellow mustard)
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar (or white vinegar or lemon juice)
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Kitchen Utensils

• Medium-sized mixing bowl
• Whisk or spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Small airtight container or jar for storage

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Servings: Makes approximately ¾ cup (12 servings, 1 tablespoon each)

BJ’s Restaurant Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe Instructions

1. Create the base: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add ⅓ cup of mayonnaise. This creates the creamy foundation for your bj salad dressing.

2. Add the mustard: Mix in 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard. If you don’t have Dijon on hand, yellow mustard works just fine and gives a slightly different flavor twist.

3. Incorporate sweetness: Pour in ¼ cup of good-quality honey. This balances the tanginess of the mustard and brings that signature sweet note this copycat BJ’s restaurant honey mustard dressing recipe is known for.

4. Add acidity: Add 1 tablespoon of rice wine vinegar to the mix. If unavailable, substitute with white vinegar or freshly squeezed lemon juice for a similar tangy brightness.

5. Introduce heat (optional): Sprinkle in ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper. It’s optional but adds a mild heat that enhances the overall flavor of what is bj’s signature burger sauce without overpowering it.

6. Blend thoroughly: Use a whisk or spoon to thoroughly blend all the ingredients until smooth and creamy. No salt or pepper is needed.

 

7. Adjust consistency: Taste and adjust if you’d like a thinner consistency by adding a splash of water or extra vinegar for drizzling purposes.

Customization and Pairing for Serving Ideas

1. Classic Burger Drizzle: Use this bj’s signature burger sauce exactly as BJ’s does slather it generously on beef burgers, turkey burgers, or veggie patties. The sweet and tangy combination complements charred meat perfectly and adds moisture to every bite.

2. Salad Dressing Transformation: Thin the dressing with 1-2 tablespoons of water or extra vinegar to create the perfect bjs salad dressing consistency. Toss with mixed greens, grilled chicken, bacon bits, tomatoes, and croutons for a restaurant-quality salad at home.

3. Chicken Tender Dipping Sauce: This sweet madness dressing is phenomenal with crispy fried chicken tenders, chicken nuggets, or grilled chicken strips. The honey-mustard combination is a classic pairing that never disappoints.

4. Sandwich Spread Supreme: Upgrade any sandwich by spreading this sauce on both slices of bread. It works wonderfully with deli meats, roasted turkey, ham and cheese, or even vegetarian sandwiches with avocado and sprouts.

5. Vegetable Dip: Serve as a dipping sauce for fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, bell peppers, and cucumber. The creamy texture and balanced flavor make raw veggies irresistible, especially for picky eaters.

6. Seafood Accompaniment: Pair with fried shrimp, fish tacos, salmon cakes, or crab cakes. The acidity cuts through the richness of seafood while the sweetness complements the natural flavors beautifully.

7. Pretzel and Fry Enhancer: Instead of plain mustard or ketchup, dip soft pretzels, sweet potato fries, or regular French fries into this sauce. The combination of sweet and savory creates an addictive flavor experience that elevates simple snacks.

Tips for Perfect BJ’s Style Honey Mustard Dressing

1. Choose Quality Honey: The type of honey significantly impacts the final flavor. Use good-quality honey with a mild, pleasant taste clover honey or wildflower honey work exceptionally well. Avoid honey that’s been sitting in your pantry for years, as it may have crystallized or developed off-flavors that affect your bj’s burger sauce.

2. Mustard Matters: While Dijon mustard provides the sophisticated, slightly wine-infused flavor that’s closest to the original, don’t hesitate to experiment. Spicy brown mustard adds more kick, yellow mustard creates a brighter color and milder taste, and whole grain mustard introduces interesting texture. Each variation changes the character of your copycat BJ’s restaurant honey mustard dressing recipe slightly.

3. Emulsification Technique: For the smoothest, most stable dressing that won’t separate, add ingredients in the order listed and whisk vigorously for at least 30 seconds. The mayo acts as an emulsifier, binding the oil and vinegar components together. If your dressing does separate after storage, simply whisk again before serving.

4. Temperature Control: All ingredients should be at room temperature when mixing. Cold mayo from the refrigerator can be difficult to incorporate smoothly and may result in a lumpy texture. Let your ingredients sit out for 15-20 minutes before preparing your bjs salad dressing.

5. Cayenne Adjustment: The cayenne pepper is your heat control dial. Start with the recommended ¼ teaspoon for mild warmth, increase to ½ teaspoon for medium heat, or omit entirely for a kid-friendly version. You can also substitute with a pinch of paprika for color without heat, or hot sauce for a different spicy dimension.

6. Consistency Customization: The base recipe creates a thick sauce perfect for spreading. For different uses, adjust the consistency: add water one teaspoon at a time for salad dressing, add extra mayo for a thicker burger sauce, or add more vinegar for a tangier, thinner drizzle. Each adjustment changes how the sauce coats and clings to food.

Storage and Reheating Guidance

Store your homemade bj salad dressing in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 7-10 days. No reheating is necessary simply give it a quick stir before using, as separation may occur naturally during storage.

Common Queries and FAQs

Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the BJ’s Restaurant Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe that people often ask.

What is BJ’s signature burger sauce made of?

BJ’s signature burger sauce is a honey mustard-based dressing made with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, rice wine vinegar, and a touch of cayenne pepper. The combination creates a sweet, tangy, and creamy sauce that’s become iconic at the restaurant chain.

Can I use yellow mustard instead of Dijon?

Absolutely! Yellow mustard works perfectly in this copycat BJ’s restaurant honey mustard dressing recipe. The flavor will be slightly less complex and more straightforward, with a brighter yellow color and milder taste. The sauce will still be delicious, just with a different character.

Is this the same as sweet madness dressing?

While this honey mustard dressing shares similar sweet and tangy characteristics with BJ’s sweet madness dressing, they’re slightly different sauces. Sweet madness has additional ingredients that create a more complex flavor profile. However, this recipe captures the essence of BJ’s signature style that fans love.

How can I make this dressing healthier?

To lighten up this bj’s burger sauce, substitute Greek yogurt for half the mayonnaise, use light mayo, or try avocado oil-based mayo. You can also reduce the honey slightly (though this will affect the signature sweetness) or add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar for additional health benefits.

Why is my dressing too thin or too thick?

Consistency issues usually stem from ingredient ratios or temperature. If too thin, add more mayo one tablespoon at a time. If too thick, thin with water, extra vinegar, or even a splash of milk. Remember that the dressing thickens slightly when refrigerated, so account for this when adjusting.

Can I make this dressing dairy-free?

Yes! Use vegan mayonnaise (like Vegenaise or Just Mayo) in place of regular mayo. The rest of the ingredients are naturally dairy-free. Ensure your honey is pure (some brands add fillers), and you’ll have a completely dairy-free version of bjs salad dressing.

How long does homemade honey mustard dressing last?

When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this dressing lasts 7-10 days. The vinegar and honey have natural preservative properties, but because it contains mayonnaise, it’s best consumed within this timeframe for optimal food safety and flavor.

Can I double or triple this recipe?

Definitely! This recipe scales beautifully. Simply multiply all ingredients proportionally. When making larger batches, use a blender or food processor for effortless mixing and ultra-smooth texture. Large batches are perfect for parties, meal prep, or if you use bj’s signature burger sauce frequently.

What can I substitute for rice wine vinegar?

Rice wine vinegar can be replaced with white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, white distilled vinegar, or fresh lemon juice in equal amounts. Each brings a slightly different acidity profile lemon juice adds citrus brightness, apple cider vinegar contributes fruity notes, and white vinegar provides clean, sharp tang.

Is this spicy?

The optional cayenne pepper adds only mild heat barely noticeable to most people but enough to enhance overall flavor complexity. If you’re sensitive to spice, simply omit the cayenne entirely. The dressing will still taste authentic and delicious without any heat whatsoever.

Can I use this as a marinade?

While primarily designed as a sauce and dressing, this bj’s burger sauce works wonderfully as a marinade for chicken, pork, or shrimp. The honey caramelizes beautifully during cooking, and the vinegar tenderizes proteins. Marinate for 2-4 hours, but not overnight as the acid can over-tenderize.

Why doesn’t my dressing taste exactly like BJ’s?

Restaurant recipes often use commercial-grade ingredients or proprietary blends that differ slightly from home versions. Brand variations in mayo, mustard, and honey also affect taste. This copycat BJ’s restaurant honey mustard dressing recipe gets remarkably close, but minor differences are normal and expected in any restaurant recreation.

This copycat BJ’s restaurant honey mustard dressing recipe proves that restaurant-quality flavor is completely achievable at home. With just five simple ingredients and five minutes of your time, you can recreate the beloved bj’s signature burger sauce that elevates everything from burgers to salads.

The sweet and tangy balance, creamy texture, and versatile applications make this sauce a kitchen staple you’ll reach for again and again. Whip up a batch today and bring that BJ’s Restaurant magic to your next meal!

I’d love to hear your thoughts-leave a comment on the blog and let me know How it came out! Don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and YouTube for more delicious updates. Your support truly means everything to me.