Spicy Horseradish Recipe

Alton Brown’s Zesty Creamy Horseradish Recipe for Kick

Horseradish cream sauce electrifies mundane meals with its zesty, bold character.

This culinary marvel packs a serious flavor punch that jolts sleepy palates awake.

Foodies adore its chameleon-like ability to transform ordinary dishes into gourmet delights.

The sauce delivers a harmonious blend of sharp heat and silky smoothness that dances across your tongue.

Chefs from home kitchens to professional restaurants celebrate its remarkable versatility.

Whipping up this condiment requires minimal effort but generates maximum taste impact.

You’ll fall in love with how effortlessly this sauce can turn a simple meal into a memorable dining experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 120 kcal

Servings: 4

Creamy Horseradish Ingredients (Alton Brown)

For Creamy Base:
  • Sour Cream: Select full-fat, velvety smooth variety for rich, luxurious texture.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Prepared Horseradish: Choose fresh, jarred with robust, zingy kick that adds instant punch.
  • Dijon Mustard: Opt for smooth, tangy version that brings complex depth to sauce.
For Fresh Aromatics and Seasoning:
  • Chives: Pick bright green, crisp herbs with delicate onion undertone.
  • Salt: Use fine sea salt for balanced seasoning.
  • Black Pepper: Select freshly ground for maximum aromatic intensity.

Alton Brown’s Horseradish Prep Tools

  • Mixing Bowl: Medium-sized vessel perfect for combining ingredients smoothly.
  • Whisk: Essential tool for blending and creating a creamy, lump-free sauce.
  • Measuring Spoons: Precise utensils for accurately portioning ingredients.
  • Airtight Container: Ideal for storing and preserving the sauce in the refrigerator.
  • Cutting Board: Useful for chopping fresh chives if needed.
  • Sharp Knife: Helpful for finely chopping herbs with precision.

Mixing Instructions for Creamy Horseradish

Mixing Instructions for Creamy Horseradish
  • Whip Up the Zesty Mixture

Grab a mixing bowl and toss in sour cream, prepared horseradish, fresh chives, Dijon mustard, a pinch of salt, and a dash of black pepper. Whisk everything together until the sauce transforms into a silky, smooth blend that’s bursting with flavor. Make sure to break down any stubborn lumps for a perfectly creamy consistency.

  • Let the Flavors Dance

Pop the sauce into an airtight container and slide it into the refrigerator. Give it some chill time – anywhere from 4 hours to overnight works magic. This resting period lets the ingredients get cozy, creating a more intense and mouth-watering condiment that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.

  • Serve and Savor

Your homemade horseradish sauce is ready to rock! It’ll hang out in the fridge for up to two weeks, just waiting to jazz up your meals. Spread it on sandwiches, use it as a dip for crispy appetizers, or drizzle over roasted meats and veggies. Get ready for a flavor explosion that’ll have everyone asking for your secret recipe!

Alton Brown’s Tips for Better Horseradish

Experiment with adding fresh grated horseradish for an extra spicy punch, increasing the heat level to suit your taste preferences.

Adjust the spiciness by controlling the amount of prepared horseradish – less for mild, more for a fiery sensation that will make taste buds dance.

Swap chives for other fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or chopped green onions to create unique flavor profiles that complement different dishes.

This sauce actually tastes better after 24 hours of refrigeration, allowing the ingredients to marry and develop a deeper, more complex taste that elevates any meal.

How to Serve Alton Brown’s Creamy Horseradish

  • Enhance Roast Beef: Spread this creamy horseradish sauce generously over hot, sliced roast beef for a zesty kick that elevates the meat's rich flavor.
  • Elevate Sandwich Game: Transform ordinary sandwiches by replacing bland mayo with this spicy, creamy condiment for an instant flavor boost.
  • Perfect Dipping Companion: Serve alongside crispy roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables, or as a dip for fresh vegetable sticks to add a tangy, creamy dimension to your meal.
  • Grill Master's Secret Weapon: Use as a bold accompaniment to grilled steak, chicken, or salmon to give your barbecue dishes an extra layer of exciting flavor.

Storing Alton Brown’s Horseradish Recipe

  • Preserve Your Zesty Sauce: Store the creamy horseradish sauce in an airtight glass or plastic container to maintain its fresh flavor and prevent contamination. Glass containers work best for preserving the sauce's original taste.
  • Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Always keep the sauce chilled at 40°F or below. Refrigeration helps maintain the sauce's creamy texture and prevents bacterial growth, ensuring maximum food safety and flavor preservation.
  • Flavor Boost Technique: Let the sauce rest in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours before serving. This waiting period allows the ingredients to blend, creating a more robust and harmonious taste profile that enhances your culinary experience.
  • Smart Consumption Timeline: Enjoy your homemade horseradish sauce within 7-10 days for optimal freshness. Check for any changes in color, smell, or texture before use, and discard if you notice any signs of spoilage to ensure food safety.
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Spicy Horseradish Recipe

Spicy Horseradish Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Alton Brown’s creamy horseradish sauce blends tangy heat with smooth dairy richness. Chefs and home cooks can elevate dishes with this simple, zesty condiment that adds bold flavor to meats and sandwiches.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) grated fresh horseradish
  • 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) white wine vinegar
  • ½ tsp (2.5 g) kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 g) freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Blending: Whisk all ingredients in a medium bowl until the mixture transforms into a smooth, velvety sauce with zero visible clumps.
  2. Chilling and Resting: Seal the sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to harmonize and intensify.
  3. Storage: Maintain the horseradish sauce in a tightly sealed container within the refrigerator, where it will preserve its robust flavor profile and culinary potential for up to two weeks.

Notes

  • Whisk Wisely: Use a wire whisk to ensure smooth, lump-free blending for maximum sauce creaminess and consistent texture.
  • Flavor Infusion: Refrigerate the sauce for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow ingredients to meld and develop a more complex, robust taste profile.
  • Seal and Preserve: Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent flavor degradation, keeping the sauce delicious for up to two weeks.
  • Temperature Matters: Always keep refrigerated between uses to preserve quality and prevent potential bacterial growth.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 120
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 290 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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