What Is Horseradish and How Can I Use It?

Horseradish is easier to cook with than it looks. Here's how to choose, use, and store it, what to substitute, and 286 recipes to get you started.

What is horseradish?

Cooks use the terms "horseradish" or "prepared horseradish" to refer to the grated root of the horseradish plant mixed with vinegar. Prepared horseradish is white to creamy-beige in color.

It will keep for months refrigerated but eventually will start to darken, indicating it is losing flavor and should be replaced. The leaves of the plant, while edible, are not commonly eaten, and are referred to as "horseradish greens".

Horseradish sauce made from grated horseradish root, vinegar and cream is a popular condiment in the United Kingdom. It is usually served with roast beef, often as part of a traditional Sunday roast, but can be used in a number of other dishes also, including sandwiches or salads. 

In the U.S. , the term Horseradish Sauce refers to grated horseradish combined with mayonnaise or Miracle Whip salad dressing (such as Arby's "Horsey Sauce"). Kraft Foods and other large condiment manufacturers sell this type of Horseradish Sauce.

**Horseradish contains potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, as well as volatile oils, such as mustard oil (which has antibacterial properties due to the antibacterial mechanism of allyl isothiocyanate). Fresh, the plant contains average 79.31 mg of vitamin C per 100 g of raw horseradish.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find horseradish: Horseradish is usually found in the condiments section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Horseradish is a member of the Spices and Herbs US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

辣根

British (UK) term

Horseradish

en français

raifort

en español

rábano picante

How much does horseradish weigh?

Related

Spices and Herbs

Recipes using horseradish

There are 286 recipes that contain this ingredient.

New Potato Salad with Dried Tomatoes

This creamy and flavorful new potato salad is a great side dish with any summer BBQs.

Basic Hamburgers

Classic American hamburger patties seasoned with Worcestershire, onion and pepper, then broiled or grilled to your preferred doneness. Mix-in variations included.

Family Favorite Burgers

Juicy homemade burgers with horseradish, Worcestershire, and breadcrumb binder. Bold, classic, and bursting with old-fashioned cookout flavor.

Super-simple horseradich dip

This dip can be served with chips, crackers or even smoked salmon. It can be stored for a couple of days in the fridge, so whenever you feel like snacking, take it out.

Chef Andrew Berman's Potato-Horseradish Soup

Chef Andrew Berman's Potato-Horseradish Soup recipe

Buffalo Burgers

Grilled buffalo burgers seasoned with Worcestershire, ketchup, mustard, and horseradish. Lean ground bison cooked low and slow for juicy, flavorful patties. Healthier alternative to beef.

Kale & Potato Hash

This simple recipe is easy to follow, and it turns out delicious, kale adds lots of vitamins, and the flavor is great.

Smoked Salmon Quesadillas

Very tasty indeed! Super quick and easy to prepare yet somewhat sophisticated and rich tasting. A wedge of lemon went nicely with the quesadillas.

Chick Pea & Yam Stew

Nothing is more cozy and satisfying than a bowl of hearty and warm stew on a chilly day. Chick pea and sweet potatoes are super delicious and filling, and it is totally vegetarian and vegan friendly too.

Salmon Rosemary Burgers

Salmon rosemary burgers with hand-chopped fresh salmon, Dijon, horseradish, and fragrant rosemary. A hearty grilled fish burger that holds together on the grates without falling apart into the fire.

Horseradish-Garlic Burgers

Horseradish garlic burgers with thyme, chives, and melted Havarti on toasted onion rolls. Grilled gourmet patties with bold, sharp flavor.

Batter-Dipped Fondue Meatballs

Batter-dipped fondue meatballs flash-fried tableside in a fondue pot, served with mustard and horseradish dipping sauces. A retro fondue party throwback that still earns its keep.

Avocado & Potato Salad with Horseradish

While Loomis says that this salad does not keep well and shouldn't be counted on for leftovers, she says that it's one of the most popular potato salads she's ever made.

Aussie: Roseville Tea Sandwiches

Take a trip to the Outback with this scrumptious appetizer. Perfect for a relaxing day in the shade with a cup of tea!

Dublin Sunday Corned Beef & Cabbage

Traditional Dublin-style corned beef and cabbage simmered for 3 hours with potatoes, carrots, and a clove-studded onion. Served on a platter with homemade whipped horseradish cream. A proper Irish Sunday dinner.

Savory Crockpot Pot Roast

An easy savory pot roast for your slow cooker. Cooked with carrots, potatoes and garlic with horseradish. Truly a one pot main dish for dinner.

Purple Potato Salad

This purple potato salad is a great side dish. we boiled potatoes with garlic and vinegar, which made potatoes super tasty!

Herring Canapés with Horseradish Cream

Delish herring canapes that are perfect for any party or gathering. They will have everyone coming back for more!

The Best Egg Salad

Quick, easy and delicious. Serve it as a salad along with your main course, or simply make a yummy sandwich with it. No fuss recipe!

Cucumber Herbed Salad Dressing

Light and flavorful vinaigrette goes well with any kind of greens or pasta salad.

Creamy Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Horseradish Sauce

Brussels sprouts, steamed just until crisp tender and tossed in a creamy bacon and horseradish sauce.

Mustard Fried Caribou

Mustard fried caribou steaks coated in Dijon and horseradish, then pan-seared to medium rare. A quick wild game recipe with bold, peppery crust and juicy pink center.

Polynesian Glazed Salmon

A succulent and tantalizing salmon dish made with garlic, horseradish and pure maple syrup.

Easy Salmon Pate Dip

A delicious change from the standard Krab or Clam dip.

Salisbury Steak Deluxe

This recipe is so good that I truly enjoy sharing it with others. I've always like Salisbury steak, but I had to search a long time to find a recipe this tasty. It's handy, too, because it can be prepared ahead, kept in the refrigerator and warmed up later.

Horseradish Cheese Spread

Creamy horseradish cheese spread made from melted processed cheese, mayonnaise, and prepared horseradish. Three ingredients, five minutes, and you have a sharp, tangy party dip that firms up perfectly when chilled.

Black Pepper Crusted Steak Sandwiches

Grilled beef tenderloin coated in cracked black pepper, stacked on toasted croissants with aged cheddar, peppery watercress, and a punchy horseradish mayo. From grill to plate in 25 minutes.

Finger Lickin' Pickens' Sauce

Here's a homemade steak sauce that will have you licking your plate. Do that when the children aren't looking!

Piquant Pork with Horseradish

Piquant pork with horseradish: cubed pork simmered in a vinegar-caraway broth with celeriac, carrot, and clove-studded onion, finished with a bracing horseradish topping. Classic Central European comfort.

Smorrebrod (Denmark)

A traditional Danish Smørrebrød spread with smoked salmon, shrimp, roast beef, ham, blue cheese, eggs and fresh fruit on rye bread. A stunning no-cook platter that feeds 12.

Smorrebrod (Denmark)

A traditional Danish Smørrebrød spread with smoked salmon, shrimp, roast beef, ham, blue cheese, eggs and fresh fruit on rye bread. A stunning no-cook platter that feeds 12.

Grouper & Horseradish Sauce

Microwave grouper with bell pepper and onion topped with a tangy horseradish-Catalina sauce with hot sauce and lemon. A fast, flaky fish dinner ready in 15 minutes.

Barbecued Beef Brisket Dinner

Oven-braised beef brisket marinated overnight in ketchup, horseradish, mustard, and cider vinegar. Carrots and red potatoes join the pot. One-dish Sunday dinner.

Zesty Grilled Ham

A grilled ham steak glazed with a boiled-down brown sugar, horseradish, and lemon juice sauce. Just 4 ingredients for a sweet, spicy, caramelized glaze.

Salmon Fillets with Horseradish-Potato Crust

Salmon fillets topped with horseradish and a crispy shredded potato crust, baked until golden. A fast oven-to-table fish dinner with sharp heat and a shatter-crisp finish.

Halfway House Pot Roast

Halfway House pot roast: beef browned in garlic butter, simmered with dark rum, horseradish, and peppercorns, then finished with whole onions, carrots, and potatoes in rum gravy.

Grilled Turkey spears with 3 Sauces

Grilled turkey spears thread cubed turkey breast, lime slices, pepperoni, and corn onto skewers, glazed with chili-lime oil and served with three dipping sauces: curry-banana, blue cheese-yogurt, and cranberry-horseradish.

Smoked Salmon with Apple-Horseradish Cream & Black Bread

Smoked salmon platter with a tangy apple-horseradish cream, sliced black bread, steamed broccoli, capers, and lemon wedges. A light, elegant spread ready in just 15 minutes.

Shrimp or Crabmeat Mousse

Shrimp and crab mousse with lemon gelatin, celery and horseradish. Light seafood salad molded and chilled, serves 4-6.

Yummy Cream Cheese Hors D'oeuvres

Sweet pineapple preserves and apple jelly glazed with horseradish heat over cream cheese, perfect party dip for crackers in 5 minutes

Ma's Bloody Mary Herring Cocktail

Do you love Bloody Marys? Do you love herring? Then, you'll LOVE this cocktail!

Horseradish Applesauce

Horseradish applesauce: a sweet-and-sharp two-ingredient condiment that wakes up roast pork, ham, or veal. The grandparent of every modern fruit-and-heat sauce.

Minature Reubens

Mini Reuben appetizers on toasted white bread with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and a horseradish-chili mayo. Bite-sized party snacks baked until the cheese melts and bubbles.

Spicy Roasted Tomato Soup with Herb Salad

Spicy roasted tomato soup with a horseradish kick, blended silky and served chilled under a bright herb salad of basil, tarragon and chervil. Roasting concentrates the tomatoes for a deep, smoky base that beats anything from a can.

Light-Style Fiesta Shrimp Dip

Light fiesta shrimp dip blends chopped shrimp with reduced-fat cream cheese, picante sauce, horseradish, cumin, and green onions. Lighter than your average shrimp dip, full of southwest punch.

Light Fiesta Shrimp Dip

Light fiesta shrimp dip with reduced-fat cream cheese, picante sauce, horseradish, and cumin. A creamy, zesty cold dip with real chopped shrimp served with vegetable dippers.

Radishes in Cream

Radishes in cream: a 10-minute peppery radish salad in a tangy sour cream, yogurt, and horseradish dressing. Served in crisp lettuce cups. A classic Eastern European spring side.

Candied Sweet Sausage & Rice

Sweet sausage slices simmer in a sticky brown sugar glaze spiked with horseradish and ketchup, creating this sweet-and-tangy main dish that transforms weeknight rice into something special.

Mersey Point Smoked Mackerel Log

Smoked mackerel cheese log blended with cream cheese, horseradish, lemon, and celery, rolled in crushed almonds and parsley. A Maritime Canadian appetizer for crackers.

Cranberry Ring Mold with Apple-Pecan Salad Filling

Cranberry ring mold with apple pecan salad filling: a retro Thanksgiving centerpiece with tangy cranberry gelatin surrounding a creamy apple-pecan salad.

All 286 recipes