Creamy Horseradish Sauce

A rich, tangy, slightly spicy sauce that’s perfect with roast beef, steak, burgers, sandwiches, roasted potatoes, and crispy vegetables. It’s creamy and cool at first, followed by that distinctive horseradish kick.Makes: About 1 cup
Prep time: 5 minutes
Chill time: 30 minutes
Total time: About 35 minutes

Ingredients

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2–3 tablespoons prepared horseradish, squeezed slightly if very watery
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh chopped chives, optional

Instructions

1. Combine the creamy ingredients

Add the mayonnaise and sour cream to a medium bowl.

Whisk until smooth and completely combined.

2. Add the horseradish

Stir in 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish.

Taste.

If you want a stronger, hotter sauce, add another tablespoon.

3. Add the seasonings

Mix in:

• Dijon mustard
• Lemon juice
• Worcestershire sauce
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Black pepper
• Salt

Stir until smooth.

4. Chill

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

This allows the flavors to blend and gives the horseradish time to develop.

For the best flavor, refrigerate for 1–2 hours.

5. Finish

Stir before serving.

Add fresh chives if desired.

Taste once more and adjust the salt, lemon, or horseradish.

Extra-Spicy Version

Use 3–4 tablespoons prepared horseradish.

Add:

• ½ teaspoon freshly grated horseradish, if available
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

For the strongest horseradish flavor, prepare the sauce shortly before serving rather than letting it sit for several days.

Steakhouse-Style Horseradish Sauce

For a thicker, richer sauce:

• ¾ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons horseradish
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

This version is especially good with prime rib and roast beef.

Lighter Version

Use:

• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup light mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons horseradish
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper

The Greek yogurt gives it plenty of creaminess while making the sauce lighter.

Garlic Horseradish Sauce

Add 1 small freshly grated garlic clove to the basic recipe.

Let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes so the garlic flavor blends into the sauce.

Serving Ideas

This sauce is excellent with:

• Prime rib
• Roast beef
• Steak
• Beef tenderloin
• Burgers
• Roast potatoes
• French fries
• Air-fried cauliflower
• Crispy chicken
• Roast vegetables
• Beef sandwiches

It’s particularly delicious spread onto a roast beef sandwich with caramelized onions.

Storage

Keep refrigerated in a covered container for up to 4–5 days.

Stir well before serving.

If the sauce becomes too thick after refrigeration, stir in a teaspoon of sour cream or lemon juice.

Best tip

Start with 2 tablespoons of horseradish, chill the sauce, and then adjust. Horseradish flavor can become noticeably stronger as the sauce sits, so adding too much at the beginning can make it overpowering.