5 Surprisingly Delicious Ways to Use Horseradish
5 Surprisingly Delicious Ways to Use Horseradish
Dab it on oysters, stir it into Bloody Marys, or try adding a little zip to dips, marinades, and DIY pickles.
Funnily enough, the most common way you’ll find this woody, eye-watering root vegetable is in a jar. While freshly grated horseradish is extremely spicy and pungent, the prepared version contains vinegar, which counteracts the heat. Look for it in the refrigerated section of the supermarket (ingredients are often just horseradish, vinegar, and salt or sugar). It'll add extra vibrant flavor—a la spicy mustard—to dishes, and is especially great for zhuzh-ing up condiments, like dips or sauces.
What's more, horseradish contains some highly legitimate health benefits. For instance, the root contains multiple compounds that may provide antibacterial and anticancer effects. Studies have shown that horseradish is high in glucosinolates, which have strong antioxidant properties. Additionally, these glucosinolates break down into isothiocyanates, which may help protect against cancer, infections, and brain diseases.
Ready to start your herbaceous cooking adventure? Check out some of the delicious horseradish recipes ahead.
Roasted Salmon With Creamy Horseradish
Here, horseradish stirred with crème fraîche and grated English cucumbers serves as the most fresh, flavorful creamy salmon topping. If you don't have tarragon on hand, swap in fresh dill for the garnish instead.
Creamy Lemon Horseradish Dip
Sure, this dip tastes great with crudité. But we also love it slathered onto bread, topped with thinly sliced beef and a handful of fresh arugula. Don’t skimp on any of the ingredients—buttermilk and lemon juice add tang, while chives lend a subtle onion flavor. Finish with freshly ground black pepper.
Horseradish-Crusted Beef Tenderloin
This flavorful rub comes together in minutes, and provides a crisp, spicy crust for the juicy piece of meat. The horseradish flavor is pronounced, but isn’t overpowering. Serve as a main dish for dinner, or pack it for lunch as a sammie on a crusty, chewy roll.
Quick-Pickled Horseradish Beets
This heat-free, hands-off pickling method is simply genius. Toss thinly sliced beets with sugar, horseradish, and salt, then let stand to infuse the beets with flavor. After about a half an hour, rinse and drain the beets, then enjoy them on a salad, on a charcuterie platter, or with cured salmon.
Horseradish and Herb Crème Fraîche With Chives
This dip is so delicious, you’ll be tempted to squirrel it away just for yourself. Why? Because the crème fraîche smoothes over the spice of prepared horseradish, so you get a bite without an afterkick. Then, honey rounds the flavors out, making for an all-purpose sauce that pairs perfectly with ripe tomatoes or smoked salmon with a squeeze of lemon.
