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Homemade Horseradish Cream Sauce: The Ultimate Condiment for Roast Beef & More

Discover how to whip up the most incredible homemade Horseradish Cream Sauce in less than 5 minutes! This vibrant, flavorful condiment isn’t just a perfect match for roast beef – especially delectable sandwiches – but also a versatile addition to countless other dishes. Forget store-bought; once you taste this easy-to-make sauce, it will become your go-to for elevating meals from ordinary to extraordinary. Its rich, tangy, and subtly spicy profile will revolutionize your culinary creations.

A savory roast beef grilled cheese sandwich, perfectly toasted, with a corner dipped into a small bowl of creamy horseradish sauce. The rich texture of the sauce is visible as it clings to the sandwich.

Imagine a gourmet sandwich, like the one pictured above: a classic white cheddar grilled cheese filled with succulent homemade roast beef and tangy banana peppers. Now, picture dipping that warm, gooey sandwich into a generous dollop of this horseradish cream sauce. The combination is truly out of this world, perhaps even the best sandwich experience you’ll ever create at home! This sauce doesn’t just complement; it transforms, adding a layer of sophisticated flavor that’s both comforting and exciting.

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Essential Ingredients for Your Creamy Horseradish Sauce

Crafting this exquisite homemade creamy horseradish sauce is incredibly simple, relying on staple ingredients you likely already have tucked away in your fridge or pantry. My unique approach to this recipe deviates slightly from traditional versions, focusing on specific elements that contribute to an unparalleled depth of flavor and luxurious texture. Each component plays a crucial role in creating a balanced, tantalizing sauce that will impress even the most discerning palates.

One of the key distinctions in my recipe is the inclusion of mayonnaise. While many recipes opt solely for sour cream, the mayonnaise introduces a richer, more velvety mouthfeel, enhancing the overall creaminess and providing a smoother base. This added richness not only makes the sauce more satisfying but also helps to temper the sharp kick of the horseradish, creating a beautifully balanced flavor profile. Moreover, when pairing this sauce with beef – its undeniable best companion – the subtle tang and robust character of red wine vinegar truly round everything out. It adds a bright acidity that cuts through the richness of the meat and balances the creaminess of the sauce, creating a harmonious culinary experience.

Various ingredients for horseradish cream sauce, including mayonnaise, sour cream, prepared horseradish, mustard, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper, arranged on a countertop.

Another secret weapon in my horseradish cream sauce is Worcestershire sauce. I firmly believe that all horseradish sauces benefit immensely from its inclusion. Worcestershire sauce brings a complex, savory umami depth that acts as a fantastic counterpoint to the piquant horseradish. It doesn’t just add flavor; it mellows the horseradish, integrating it seamlessly into the creamy base rather than allowing it to overpower the palate. Of course, the sour cream itself is indispensable, providing that classic creamy texture and a delightful tang that works in tandem with the other ingredients to achieve perfection. Together, these carefully selected ingredients create a sauce that is both robust and refined, ready to elevate any meal.

For precise ingredient measurements and detailed step-by-step instructions, use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the post, or simply scroll to the bottom to find the full recipe card.

Crafting Your Perfect Horseradish Cream Sauce: A Simple Guide

Making this incredible horseradish cream sauce is remarkably straightforward, requiring minimal effort for maximum flavor. The entire process takes just a few minutes, making it an ideal last-minute addition to any meal. To begin, gather all your fresh ingredients and place them into a clean mixing bowl. This includes your mayonnaise, sour cream, prepared horseradish, yellow mustard, red wine vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Ensure you have everything at hand, as the preparation moves quickly from this point.

Once all the ingredients are in the bowl, the next step is to combine them thoroughly. Using a whisk, stir everything together until all components are well incorporated and the mixture is smooth and uniform. Take your time to ensure there are no lumps and that the color is consistent throughout. This initial mixing is crucial for blending the distinct flavors and achieving that signature creamy texture. After the base is well mixed, it’s time to season. Add your kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir these in completely, ensuring they are evenly distributed. Now comes the most important part: tasting and adjusting the seasoning to your liking. This is where you can truly personalize the sauce to suit your preferences.

All the horseradish cream sauce ingredients neatly arranged in a bowl, ready to be combined with a whisk.

The horseradish cream sauce has been perfectly stirred, with a sprinkle of salt and pepper visible on its surface, awaiting final seasoning adjustments.

Don’t hesitate to taste a small amount and decide if it needs any tweaks. If you prefer a spicier sauce, simply add a bit more prepared horseradish, a small amount at a time, until you reach your desired heat level. For those who prefer a milder flavor or wish to mellow the spiciness, adding an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise or sour cream will help to soften the horseradish’s intensity while maintaining the creamy consistency. Remember, balance is key, so adjust gradually until the flavor profile is exactly what you envision. This iterative process ensures your homemade sauce is perfectly tailored to your palate.

Once you’ve adjusted the sauce to perfection, it’s ready to be enjoyed immediately! It pairs wonderfully with a succulent roast, a perfectly grilled steak, or as a vibrant spread for sandwiches. For best flavor development, however, I recommend allowing the sauce to rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This brief chilling period allows the flavors to meld and deepen, resulting in an even more harmonious and delicious sauce. When stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge, this versatile condiment will keep fresh for up to two weeks, ensuring you have a flavorful accompaniment ready whenever you need it.

A beautifully textured horseradish cream sauce in a small ceramic bowl, garnished with a sprig of fresh parsley, ready to be served.

As I’ve highlighted before, this sauce shines particularly brightly when paired with sandwiches. My personal favorite, and one that consistently receives rave reviews, is a roast beef grilled cheese. Imagine the rich flavors of roast beef and melted cheddar, enhanced by a generous layer of this creamy horseradish sauce slathered on one side and served alongside for dipping. The interplay of warm, savory, and tangy-spicy notes is simply divine. Each bite is a testament to the sauce’s ability to transform a simple meal into an unforgettable culinary experience. You’ll find yourself craving this tasty sauce repeatedly, eager to pair it with everything imaginable!

A golden-brown roast beef grilled cheese sandwich, cut in half diagonally, with a generous portion of horseradish cream sauce waiting for a dip. The inviting steam rises from the warm sandwich.

Expert Notes & Tips for the Perfect Horseradish Cream Sauce

Understanding the core ingredient is key to mastering this sauce. So, what exactly is horseradish sauce made of? At its heart is prepared horseradish, which is a deli condiment crafted from the grated root of the horseradish plant. This plant, a spicy vegetable belonging to the mustard family, is known for its pungent, sinus-clearing heat. The grated horseradish root is then mixed with vinegar and salt, a process that stabilizes its flavor and preserves its potency. This is what you typically find in supermarkets labeled as Prepared Horseradish. It then transforms into a Creamy Horseradish Sauce when it’s combined with a rich, dairy-based element such as heavy cream, sour cream, or mayonnaise, creating a balanced and versatile condiment.

If you’re an adventurous cook and prefer to work with freshly grated horseradish, be mindful of its potent nature. When using fresh horseradish to make this sauce, it’s crucial to grate it very finely. Immediately after grating, for every cup of grated horseradish, stir in about 3 tablespoons of white vinegar. This step is vital because it helps to stabilize the pungent compounds and mellows the intensity, resulting in a more mild and balanced flavor profile, which many prefer. However, if you’re a true heat enthusiast and crave a HOT sauce, you can skip the immediate vinegar addition and incorporate the freshly grated horseradish directly into your creamy base. From there, you can adjust the heat level by adding more or less sour cream or mayonnaise until you achieve your desired fiery kick.

For grating fresh horseradish, use tools similar to those you’d use for ginger. It’s best achieved with a Microplane or a specialized ginger/garlic grater. These tools ensure a fine grate that blends smoothly into your sauce, preventing any chunky or fibrous textures.

The versatility of this horseradish cream sauce is truly remarkable. While it’s famously paired with beef or pork roasts, and a sensational accompaniment to steaks, its applications extend much further. Use it to elevate your everyday roast beef deli sandwiches, adding a gourmet touch. Beyond the obvious, I know many who love to mix a spoonful into coleslaw for an unexpected, zesty kick. I even sometimes stir a small amount into my homemade hummus, giving it an extra punch of flavor that delights the palate.

Versatile Substitutions for Your Horseradish Cream Sauce

This horseradish cream sauce recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing for several substitutions to match your dietary needs or personal taste preferences. While my recipe features a blend of mayonnaise and sour cream for optimal richness and balance, you have options. If you prefer, the sauce can be made entirely with sour cream only. This will result in a tangier, slightly lighter sauce. However, I personally enjoy the luxurious richness that the full-fat mayonnaise contributes. The fat content in mayonnaise also plays a crucial role in cutting through the inherent harshness of the horseradish, creating a smoother, more palatable flavor profile that truly enhances the overall experience.

For convenience and consistent availability, I typically opt for prepared horseradish from a jar. It’s an easy ingredient to keep stocked in the pantry, allowing me to whip up this delicious sauce at a moment’s notice whenever a craving strikes or a meal calls for it. However, if you have access to fresh horseradish root and prefer its more vibrant, unadulterated flavor, feel free to use it! Just be aware that fresh horseradish is typically twice as spicy as its jarred counterpart. When using fresh, start with half the amount specified in the recipe and taste as you go, adjusting carefully to achieve your desired level of heat.

My preference for red wine vinegar in this sauce stems from its ideal pairing with beef, which is often the star alongside this condiment. The robust notes of red wine vinegar beautifully complement the richness of beef, creating a harmonious flavor synergy. Nevertheless, you can easily substitute red wine vinegar with other acidic alternatives. Apple cider vinegar offers a slightly fruitier tang, while white balsamic vinegar provides a milder sweetness and sophisticated acidity. Even a squeeze of fresh lemon juice can work in a pinch, though it will impart a brighter, more citrusy note to the sauce.

A close-up of the creamy horseradish sauce in a small bowl, highlighting its smooth texture and inviting color, ready for dipping or serving.

Explore More of My Favorite Sauce Recipes

If you loved this horseradish cream sauce, you’ll definitely want to explore these other delicious condiment creations:

Garlic Tzatziki: A refreshing, creamy Greek yogurt sauce perfect for gyros or grilled meats.
Homemade Caramel Sauce: A sweet, buttery indulgence for desserts and drinks.
Fresh Basil Pesto Sauce: A vibrant, herbaceous sauce for pasta, sandwiches, and more.
Easy Remoulade Sauce: A classic, tangy sauce for seafood and fried foods.
Creamy Jalapeño Sauce – Chuy’s Copycat: A zesty, slightly spicy dip that’s incredibly addictive.
Avocado Cilantro Sauce: A fresh, creamy, and herbaceous sauce perfect for tacos or salads.

Did you make this incredible recipe? I’d love to hear from you! Please let me know by leaving a review or comment below. And for more delicious recipes and culinary inspiration, be sure to sign up for my newsletter, and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!

📖 Recipe

Yield: about 1 cup

Horseradish Cream Sauce

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Total Time:
5 minutes

This super simple homemade Horseradish Cream Sauce has such good flavor, and pairs perfectly with roast beef, especially sandwiches.

Ingredients

½ cup Mayonnaise, full fat
¼ cup Sour Cream, full fat
2 tablespoons Prepared Horseradish
1 teaspoon Yellow Mustard
1 tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
½ teaspoon Kosher Salt, Morton’s
¼ teaspoon Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

Instructions

Place the sour cream, mayonnaise, horseradish, yellow mustard, vinegar, and Worcestershire into a bowl.

Whisk everything together until it is well combined.

Mix in the salt and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

For a super smooth sauce, let it rest for about 10 minutes to perfume the sauce with the horseradish and then press the mixture through a fine mesh sieve.

Notes

Notes & Tips

Horseradish Sauce is made of what? Prepared horseradish is a deli condiment made from grated horseradish root. It is a spicy vegetable from the mustard family. It is then mixed with vinegar and salt and that is what you find in supermarkets as Prepared Horseradish. It is made into a Creamy Horseradish Sauce when it’s mixed with a creamy element such as heavy cream, sour cream, or mayonnaise.

If you would like to use freshly grated horseradish to make this sauce, grate it very finely and immediately add 3 tablespoons of white vinegar per cup. This mellows it if you prefer a more mild flavor. If you like it HOT, add it straight in and add more or less sour cream to achieve your desired heat level.

To grate it fresh, use the same tools you would use to grate ginger. It is best done on a Microplane or ginger/garlic grater.

Pair this sauce with beef or pork roasts, steak, or use it to make roast beef deli sandwiches. I even know people who like to add some to coleslaw for a bit more kick. I even sometimes drop some in my hummus for some extra punch.

Substitutions

If you’d prefer, the sauce can be completely made with sour cream only. But I enjoy the richness the mayo brings. The fat also helps cut the harshness of the horseradish too.

I usually use prepared horseradish from a jar because it is easy to keep around so I can whip this sauce up at a moment’s notice. But if you prefer to use fresh horseradish, and if you find it easily, feel free to use it. Just note that it is typically twice as spicy as the stuff from a jar.

I like to use red wine vinegar because I am usually pairing this sauce with beef, and red wine goes perfectly with beef. You could also use apple cider vinegar, or white balsamic.

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Zesty Horseradish Cream