11 Horseradish Substitutes that Make it Hot in Here!
It’s not everybody’s favorite, but to some, its tangy, fresh, spicy, and rich flavors are just what a dish needs. It’s horseradish! And if you are one of those who love it and don’t have it around, you might think there’s nothing to replace it with. But there are plenty of horseradish substitutes you can try out!
Horseradish is related to mustard, wasabi, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower, and it brings quite the kick! And if there is none around, you may think, that’s that! Not so. Let’s look at how we can get creative and bold with horseradish subs.
What does horseradish taste like?
A whole horseradish may look like a bland root. Oh, but once you grate it! Boy, oh, boy, here come the waterfalls! Horseradish is pungent, so intense that some people can’t take it! Horseradish is hot, intense, and leaves a peppery, earthy taste. And once you feel it in your sinuses, you’ll never mistake it for something else.
After grating it and adding it to your dishes, this spicy root is quite the game-changer. No matter why you might not have it available, there are always ways to replace it. Some alternatives replicate the taste, others are for those who perhaps want to replace with something a little less intense.
Top 11 horseradish substitutes for you to try
You may not get 100% of that crisp aroma horseradish brings, but the following ingredients do come close. Check them out.
1. Horseradish Sauce
Are you looking for a horseradish sauce substitute? The fresh ingredient is a good choice. And the other way around. Of course, one of the best alternatives for horseradish is the sauce made from it.
One thing to remember, though, horseradish sauce is cream-based and it’s not so spicy, pungent or as flavorsome as the real deal. Also, horseradish sauce might contain vinegar, salt, and pepper, so the flavor may differ. Start with a 1:1 ratio and go up from here. Use it in any recipe that calls for fresh horseradish.
2. Wasabi and Wasabi Paste
Do you have wasabi around? Well, then, both wasabi and the green paste made from it are quite good at replacing horseradish.
Wasabi, just like horseradish, has a strong flavor, an intense smell, and a spicy taste, bringing the same heat as the white root vegetable. You can use wasabi in a 1:1 ratio interchangeably with horseradish. Wasabi goes great with any recipe with fish.
3. Mustard, Mustard Seeds, and Mustard Oil
Mustard and horseradish, as we previously mentioned, are from the same family. While you wouldn’t have thought so if the recipe asks for freshly grated horseradish, you can drizzle in some mustard. Or you can use a mortar and pestle and grind up some mustard seeds to get a nice sub.
Either way, a 1:1 ratio will do. P.S.: the best types of mustard that can replace horseradish are Dijon, horseradish mustard, and spicy brown mustard.
Mustard and mustard seeds are good alternatives for anything meat-based that calls for horseradish: sandwiches, roast beef, grilled meats and fish, pastrami, and sausages. To be fair, even mustard oil comes close as a replacement for horseradish. It brings a pungent vibe and it will likely be a good alternative.
4. Ginger
Ginger is one of the best alternatives as it’s quite packed with flavor. And while they may have a different palette of aromas, they are both intense and pack quite the kick and heat.
Ginger is quite floral, citrusy, sweet, and fragrant, while horseradish is rather camphor-like and earthy. But if there are no other alternatives around, add just a hint of ginger. Use it in Asian dishes, stir-fries, soups, sauces, dips, and marinades.
5. Black Radish
Black radish is quite spicy and intense, and it resembles horseradish when it comes to taste. To make sure you get the kick from it, grate it with the black skin on. If you remove the skin, black radish will look more like horseradish, but the aroma will be milder.
Also, in terms of texture, black radish is rather watery, and crispy, while horseradish is woodier, on the dry side. A 1:1 ratio will suffice. Black radish is a good sub in salads and with cheeses, and roasted veggies.
6. Sauerkraut
OK, so hear us out! Sauerkraut can be a good option instead of horseradish. It has a little bit of depth and the peppery flavor of horseradish, but it will bring a tangy, well, sour aroma too.
We recommend you use sauerkraut instead of horseradish sauces or dips, especially mixed with mayonnaise or sour cream. Sauerkraut with cream or mayo makes a good horseradish sauce substitute!
7. Parsnip
If you want to add the texture and color of horseradish but hate its peppery, pungent, spicy, nose-dropping, eye-watering flavor, there it is: parsnip.
It’s sweet, reminding you of carrots, making it the mild option you’re looking for. It’s a good choice for any food that calls for horseradish.
8. Daikon
Another type of radish, daikon, is a good alternative for horseradish. It’s milder in aroma compared to horseradish’s peppery taste. A 1:1 ratio will do. Daikon radish is ideal for sandwiches and salads.
9. Peppercorns
Horseradish packs a lot of heat. Peppercorns, too, have intense, bold flavors and that peppery vibe that will trigger your horseradish memories. In terms of ratio, start small and keep adding as you taste and adjust.
10. Rutabaga
Have you heard of this? Well, if not, rutabaga is a good option for replacing horseradish. It’s rather sweet, even buttery, with a hint of bitterness. Think of a mild turnip, for that matter!
If you’ve heard of it and have it around too, yes you can use it if you’re out of horseradish. It’s milder so a 1:1 ratio will do. Add it to any type of meat.
11. Red Radish
Every type of radish will work in place of horseradish. Sure, none of them will bring that heat and spiciness that horseradish has to offer, but they will do. Red radishes are no exception. They can add a little of the peppery taste, but they will be rather watery and crispy.
How to substitute horseradish in specific recipes
If you’re looking for a horseradish root substitute for a specific recipe, we’ve gathered some of the most famous ones and found a good match for each.
- Try this substitute for horseradish in cocktail sauce!
Don’t panic! Although you might not have horseradish sauce for your cocktail, you can always use the real deal and even wasabi.
- Are you looking for a horseradish substitute for prime rib?
If you enjoy prime rib with a hint of horseradish, wasabi and mustard can substitute the spicy, peppery flavor well. Wasabi will come close when it comes to flavor, but the green color won’t be the best match for your steak. Maybe choose spicy, horseradish-based mustard if you’ve got it around.
- What’s a good substitute for horseradish in a Bloody Mary?
As you know, horseradish is a common ingredient in the classic Bloody Mary. But if you don’t have it around, there are other ways to add a little bit of kick to your cocktail! Wasabi is ideal for the tomato-based drink. A dash of spicy brown mustard is also a great alternative for a Bloody Mary.
No more, no less than 11 horseradish substitutes, and a couple of suggestions for specific staple recipes, just for the fun of it. Although you wouldn’t have thought there are so many alternatives to the white root vegetable, you have some amazing choices here.
