Creamy Horseradish Sauce

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The perfect sauce for prime rib, roasts, and more.

By
Adam Dolge
Adam Dolge
Adam Dolge
Adam Dolge is a recipe developer, test cook and award-winning journalist with nearly 20 years experience writing for newspapers, magazines and websites. He graduated with honors from the Culinary Institute of America and his work has appeared in many national food magazines and websites, including Southern Living, EatingWell, Real Simple, and Food & Wine. Follow him on Instagram.
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Published on December 10, 2023
Recipe tested by
Southern Living Test Kitchen
Southern Living Test Kitchen
Recipe tested by Southern Living Test Kitchen

The Southern Living Test Kitchen has been publishing recipes since 1970, four years after the first issue of Southern Living Magazine appeared on newsstands. The Southern Living Test Kitchen team includes a team of professionals with deep expertise in recipe development, from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians. Together, the team tests and retests, produces, styles, and photographs thousands of recipes each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen facility located in Birmingham, Alabama.

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creamy horseradish sauce for prime rib
Photo:

Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Active Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
5 mins
Yield:
1 2/3 cups

This creamy horseradish sauce is the perfect dipping sauce for so many dishes. You may know it as the classic pair to prime rib or beef tenderloin, but we are here to tell you it also is wonderful with roast beef, pork tenderloin, even grilled vegetables.

With just a handful of ingredients (all of which you can keep in your fridge or pantry at all times), this horseradish sauce will be ready for any meal when you need it. Better yet, make it up and use it throughout the week on sandwiches, vegetables, and yes, meat like beef and pork.

Learn how to make creamy horseradish sauce, and never be without this tangy, versatile dipping sauce again.

Ingredients for Creamy Horseradish Sauce

Six ingredients are used to make this creamy horseradish sauce recipe:

  • Mayonnaise: This adds the richness and creaminess that helps mask the horseradish's natural graininess.
  • Sour cream: For tang and bite.
  • Prepared horseradish sauce: This is a mixture of fresh horseradish root, vinegar, salt, and a few other things. A bottled product, i's usually in the refrigerated section, but could also be shelf-stable, depending on the brand you buy.
  • Worcestershire sauce: Lends a savory hit of umami.
  • Salt and pepper: For final seasoning. Don't skip it as it helps to really balance the sauce.
ingredients for creamy horseradish sauce

Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

How To Make Creamy Horseradish Sauce

All you have to do is mix together the ingredients in a bowl. Then, cover and refrigerate until you're ready to serve it. Just before serving, taste it and add any additional seasonings as you may like.

The main dish you're likely serving this dipping sauce with will take all your time, so don't forget to mix it early on. It benefits from sitting a while so the flavors can get all mixed together.

Variations for Creamy Horseradish Sauce

As is, this horseradish sauce is classic. We have a few ideas for making it a bit more unique:

  • Add chopped herbs. Mimic the herbs you're using with your main dish, or go bright and vibrant with chives. Want something a little more cozy? Rosemary is never a bad idea. Just be sure to mince it so the flavor permeates the rich sauce quickly.
  • Add more tang. A teaspoon of red wine vinegar adds brightness. You can use dry sherry or apple cider vinegar, too.
  • Add some spice. Smoked paprika would be excellent in this this sauce, especially for pork and poultry. A bit of red pepper flake could be great if you like heat.

Ways To Serve Creamy Horseradish Sauce

Don't assume this dipping sauce is meant just for elegant holiday dinners. We'd try it with all these dishes, too:

Can You Make This Horseradish Sauce Ahead?

Yes, you can make creamy horseradish sauce ahead—and you should. This dipping sauce benefits from sitting for a while so all the flavors can meld. Even as little as 30 minutes will benefit the flavor. But making it a few days ahead isn't a bad idea either.

How To Store Horseradish Sauce

Horseradish sauce will keep well in the fridge up to 1 week. Make sure it's in an airtight container or covered with storage wrap.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sour cream

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise

  • 5 Tbsp. prepared horseradish

  • 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper

Directions

  1. Whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, horseradish, Worcestershire, and salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.