Prime Rib Horseradish Sauce
This Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib has the sharp bite of horseradish that goes so well with beef, but it’s mellowed by an unconventional ingredient – light and airy (not sweet!) whipped cream.
Creamy Horseradish Sauce Recipe
Let’s say you’ve already rubbed your standing rib roast with our prime rib rub, and you have the best prime rib roast recipe ever roasting away in the oven. Your house smells amazing, your loved ones are gathered, and you can’t wait to serve dinner.
Your meal is going to be amazing as is, but let’s talk about one last finishing touch. This horseradish sauce recipe is one my Dad and I have been making on holidays for probably 15 years or more.
It’s so luscious and creamy, without feeling heavy, thanks to cream whipped to soft peaks to make it light and airy. You get the fiery bite of horseradish that goes so well with beef, but it’s mellowed by the cream so that it appeals to everybody at the table.
What is Horseradish Sauce?
Horseradish sauce is a creamy condiment made from ground horseradish, seasonings, and creamy ingredients like mayonnaise and heavy cream. It’s known for it’s sharp but rich flavor, and it’s most often used as a topping or dipping sauce for meats like prime rib, roast beef and steak.
Why You’ll Love this Horseradish Sauce Recipe
- Even though you do need a mixer to whip the cream to soft peaks, this sauce still truly comes together in a few minutes. It’s a big flavor payoff for little work.
- This sauce is a versatile accompaniment not just for beef, but for sandwiches, seafood, or even as a dip for French fries!
- It elevates a special meal by adding that finishing touch. A dollop of this sauce takes your dinner to the next level.
Creamy Horseradish Sauce Ingredients
- prepared horseradish – the star ingredient that provides the signature pungent kick to this sauce.
- mayonnaise – one of the creamy, rich bases of the sauce.
- heavy whipping cream – the cream in this horseradish cream sauce! We’ll be whipping it to soft peaks, to add a luscious mouthfeel to the sauce.
- chives – these are optional, but I like the color they add, as well as their mild onion flavor.
- Dijon mustard – this adds a bit more tang and spice that balances the creamy ingredients and adds depth of flavor.
- salt and pepper – because even sauces need to be properly seasoned, just like everything else.
How to Make Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib
1. STIR. Add the horseradish, mayonnaise, chives, mustard, salt and pepper to a medium bowl and stir until everything is well combined.
2. WHIP. In bowl of stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the cream until soft peaks firm.
3. ADD. Add the whipped cream to the bowl with the horseradish mixture.
4. FOLD. Use a rubber spatula to fold the cream into the horseradish mixture until just combined. Refrigerate 1 hour for best flavor.
Home Chef Tips for Horseradish Cream Sauce
- When buying your horseradish, make sure you buy a jar labeled “prepared horseradish” (which is simply grated horseradish root mixed with vinegar), and not “cream style horseradish sauce,” which is a prepared creamy condiment and not what we want for making our own creamy condiment.
- When folding the cream into the horseradish mixture, don’t overdo it. Gently fold until just combined, and it’s OK if there are still a few small streaks. If you fold too much, you’ll deflate the cream, and the sauce won’t be quite as light and airy.
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What is Horseradish Sauce Good On
While horseradish sauce pairs exceptionally well with beef roasts like prime rib, there’s no need to stop there. Once you try this sauce, you’ll probably dream about it and want to put it on everything. Here’s some other foods where I’ve used it as a condiment or dipping sauce:
How to Store Prime Rib Horseradish Sauce
To store leftover horseradish sauce, transfer it to an airtight container. Because the whipped cream will deflate, I recommend using up leftovers within 1 or 2 days.
Does Horseradish sauce go bad?
Yes, just like everything, it can go bad if not stored properly. Make sure you refrigerate it promptly and use it up as soon as you can.
Horseradish Sauce Recipe for Prime Rib FAQs
Horseradish sauce has a strong, spicy flavor with a hint of sweetness from the mayo and cream.
Prepared horseradish is simply grated horseradish root mixed with vinegar and sometimes salt. Horseradish sauce incorporates additional ingredients like mayonnaise or sour cream to create a creamy condiment with a milder flavor.
Horseradish refers to the grated root of the horseradish plant, while creamy horseradish is a sauce made from grated horseradish as well as creamy ingredients.
Creamy Horseradish Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup prepared horseradish
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- In medium bowl, stir together horseradish, mayonnaise, chives, mustard, salt and pepper.
- In bowl of stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whip cream at medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
- Using rubber spatula, fold cream into horseradish mixture until just combined.
- For best flavor, cover and refrigerate 1 hour before serving. Makes about 1-3/4 cups.
Notes
- Recipe adapted from Parade. See our How to Cook Prime Rib and Horseradish Sauce Recipe for meat cooking instructions and finishing sauce.