This post may contain affiliate links. Read more at our disclosure policy.
This Creamy Horseradish Sauce is the perfect tangy, zippy condiment to serve with beef — from prime rib, to steak, to roast beef sandwiches. It’s rich and creamy but bright, with just the right amount of heat from horseradish balanced by sour cream, lemon, and tangy Dijon. Whether you drizzle it over sandwiches, dollop it alongside a roast, or swirl it into mashed potatoes, this sauce brings serious flavor with very little effort.
This recipe is a reader request who made our Prime Rib Steak Sandwiches over the holidays and couldn’t get over how delicious the horseradish cream sauce from that recipe was. She emailed me and suggested we make a video and stand alone recipe for it. You asked, I listened! So here we go.
This recipe is so easy and made with simple ingredients, but it really makes any kind of beef stand out, in the very best of ways. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Table of Contents
Ingredients + Substitutions
Here’s what you’ll need to make this creamy, tangy, and bold sauce (full amounts in the recipe card below):
- Sour Cream: The base of the sauce because it’s perfectly rich and tangy. You can also sub Greek yogurt in a pinch (I’ve done it and nobody notices!). Crème fraîche also works well here (it’s creamy and rich).
- Horseradish: Provides that perfect amount of heat and punch. Make sure it’s labeled straight up “horseradish,” or “fresh horseradish,” not anything that is a cream sauce. Start with the amount below and add more if you like it extra zesty.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds depth, flavor, and a slight kick.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Keeps the sauce bright and balancing the richness of the dairy.
- White Wine Vinegar: Boosts tang and enhances overall flavor.
- Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning.
- Fresh Chives: For mild oniony brightness and color.
Variations: Add a touch of Worcestershire sauce or black pepper for extra kick and complexity. You can also swap some sour cream for mayonnaise if you prefer a richer, creamier finish.
Preparation and Equipment
You don’t need much! Just:
- A container with a lid for chilling
- A small mixing bowl
- A whisk or spoon
How to Make Creamy Horseradish Sauce
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients.
- Taste & Adjust: Give the sauce a quick taste and adjust seasoning: more horseradish if you want extra heat, more lemon if you want brightness, or a pinch more salt to enhance all the flavors.
- Chill (Optional but Recommended): For best flavor, refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving. This gives the ingredients time to marry and mellow.
- Serve: Spoon into a bowl or drizzle over your favorite beef, sandwiches, roast, or grilled veggies.
Chef’s Tip
Heat level: Prepared horseradish varies a lot! If you’re sensitive to spice, start with 2 tablespoons and build up.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes! This sauce is actually better when made ahead. Letting it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours) allows the flavors to meld and mellow. Just give it a quick stir before serving.
The heat level is mild to medium and very adjustable. Prepared and store-bought horseradish varies A LOT in strength, so start with less if you’re sensitive to spice and add more to taste. The sour cream helps balance the heat, making it flavorful without being overpowering.
This sauce is a classic pairing for beef (think prime rib, steak, beef tenderloin, and roast beef sandwiches), but it’s also great with pork (especially pork tenderloin), grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or even as a spread for burgers and wraps.
Storage
Store in an airtight container (in mason jars or other well-sealed containers) in the refrigerator for up to one week. Give it a quick stir before serving if stored.
What to Use Creamy Horseradish Sauce On
This is my go-to sauce for our Smoked Prime Rib recipe! We originally wrote it for our Prime Rib Steak Sandwiches, which, let’s be honest, it makes the recipe! But it’s also great on any roast or steak recipe. It’s also great mixed into some horseradish mashed potatoes, over roasted vegetables, used as a dip, and so much more! The ideas are endless with this delicious creamy sauce! It’s truly the best horseradish sauce you can make! And did I mention it’s super easy to make?!
Get a signed copy of our cookbook! Order Now
About Vindulge
Mary (a certified sommelier and recipe developer) and Sean (backyard pitmaster) are co-authors of the critically acclaimed cookbooks — Fire + Wine and Fire + Wine Backyard Pizza — and have been creating content for the IACP-nominated website Vindulge since 2009. They live in Oregon on a farm just outside Portland.
Creamy Horseradish Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
Instructions
- Mix Ingredients: Add all ingredients to a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth and completely combined.
- Test: Taste and adjust seasoning to preference.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 30 minutes (if possible), then serve. The creamy horseradish sauce will store for up to five days in the fridge.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this to you AND share our secrets to perfectly grilled steaks.
