Zesty Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib Recipe

Tangy Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib Recipe: Bold Flavor Magic!

Creamy and bold, this zesty horseradish sauce brings electric flavor to prime rib that instantly awakens taste buds.

Tangy notes of fresh horseradish dance with smooth cream and sharp seasonings.

The sauce strikes a perfect balance between heat and richness.

Simple ingredients blend seamlessly to create a condiment that elevates every slice of meat.

Professional chefs and home cooks agree this sauce turns an ordinary dinner into a restaurant-quality experience.

Serve alongside your perfectly roasted prime rib and watch diners’ eyes light up with excitement.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 40 kcal

Servings: 8

What Goes Into Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib

For Creamy Base:
  • Sour Cream: Provides a tangy, smooth foundation that balances the sharp horseradish kick.
  • Mayonnaise: Adds richness and helps create a silky, luxurious texture for the sauce.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Horseradish: The star ingredient that delivers a bold, spicy punch with a sinus-clearing intensity.
  • Dijon Mustard: Brings a sophisticated, slightly sharp undertone that elevates the entire sauce profile.
For Seasoning and Brightness:
  • White Vinegar, Lemon Juice: Adds a bright, zesty note that cuts through the richness and balances flavors.
  • Garlic Powder: Introduces a subtle, aromatic depth without overpowering the other ingredients.
  • Salt: Enhances and amplifies the overall taste of the sauce.
  • Black Pepper: Provides a gentle, warm background heat and complexity.
For Optional Garnish:
  • Chives, Parsley: Offer a fresh, green finish and a pop of color to make the sauce visually appealing.

Tools to Make Prime Rib Sauce Like a Pro

  • Medium bowl: Essential for mixing all ingredients smoothly and evenly.
  • Whisk or spoon: Perfect for blending horseradish sauce ingredients until well combined.
  • Measuring spoons: Precise for adding correct amounts of salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  • Measuring cups: Helps accurately measure sour cream, mayonnaise, and horseradish.
  • Sharp knife: Optional for chopping chives or parsley as a fresh garnish.
  • Airtight container: Great for storing sauce in refrigerator and keeping flavors fresh.

Making Horseradish Sauce for Big Roasts

  • Blend Creamy Base

Grab a medium bowl and toss in sour cream, mayonnaise, and horseradish for a tangy foundation.

  • Splash in Zesty Flavors

Drizzle white vinegar and sprinkle garlic powder, salt, and black pepper into the mixture.

  • Whisk to Perfection

Stir everything together until the sauce looks smooth and silky, with no lumpy bits.

  • Taste and Tweak

Sample the sauce and adjust the kick. Want more heat? Add extra horseradish. Prefer it mellow? Mix in more sour cream.

  • Chill and Develop Flavors

Cover the bowl and let the sauce hang out in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, allowing all the flavors to mingle and dance.

  • Garnish and Serve

When ready to enjoy, sprinkle some fresh chopped chives or parsley on top for a pop of color and extra zing.

Tips to Elevate Your Horseradish Sauce

  • Creamy Kick Adjustment: Easily control the sauce's heat by gradually adding more horseradish, tasting between additions to find your perfect spice level.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the sauce up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container for deeper, more developed flavors.
  • Dairy-Free Twist: Swap sour cream and mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or vegan alternatives like cashew cream for a lighter, allergen-friendly version.
  • Herb Infusion Hack: Experiment with fresh herbs like dill, chives, or tarragon to add complexity and brightness to the classic horseradish sauce.
  • Low-Carb Serving Suggestion: Use the sauce as a dip for roasted vegetables or grilled meats, making it versatile beyond prime rib for keto and low-carb diets.

Serving Horseradish Sauce That Stands Out

  • Zesty Meat Matchmaker: Pair this horseradish sauce perfectly with sliced prime rib, roast beef, or grilled steak for a bold flavor explosion.
  • Creamy Dip Delight: Use as a tangy spread for sandwiches, a dipping sauce for roasted vegetables, or a zingy accompaniment to crispy potato wedges.
  • Charcuterie Champion: Dollop onto a cheese board alongside cured meats, crackers, and pickled vegetables to add a creamy, spicy kick that elevates your appetizer spread.
  • Condiment Creativity: Mix into mashed potatoes, drizzle over grilled salmon, or use as a quick marinade for chicken to transform ordinary dishes into extraordinary meals.

Smart Storage for Horseradish Sauce Leftovers

  • Chilled Storage Solution: Seal the horseradish sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention and food safety.
  • Quick Flavor Boost: Allow sauce to rest in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes before serving to let ingredients blend and intensify taste profiles.
  • Smart Portion Planning: Prepare sauce in advance during meal prep week, dividing into smaller portions for multiple meals or quick appetizer garnishes.
  • Temperature Tip: Keep sauce cold until serving time, as dairy-based condiments maintain best quality and texture when chilled between 32-40°F.
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Zesty Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib Recipe

Zesty Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib


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4.8 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Zesty horseradish sauce adds bold flavor to prime rib, complementing rich beef with creamy heat. Diners appreciate this classic condiment that balances robust meat with tangy, spicy notes.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) prepared horseradish
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) white vinegar or lemon juice
  • ½ tsp (2.5 ml) garlic powder
  • ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) black pepper
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh chives or parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, blend sour cream, mayonnaise, prepared horseradish, Dijon mustard, white vinegar, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper into a smooth, well-integrated sauce.
  2. Adjust Flavor Profile: Taste the mixture critically, carefully modulating the heat by incrementally adding more horseradish for intensity or tempering with additional sour cream to achieve a balanced, nuanced flavor.
  3. Chill and Mature: Transfer the sauce to a sealed container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and develop a more complex, harmonious taste.
  4. Garnish and Serve: Just before presentation, optionally embellish with finely chopped chives or parsley to introduce a vibrant, fresh herbal dimension and elevate the sauce’s visual appeal.

Notes

  • Adjust Horseradish Heat: Control spiciness by gradually adding horseradish, tasting frequently to achieve desired intensity without overwhelming the sauce’s delicate flavor balance.
  • Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing ingredients to meld and develop a more complex, harmonious taste profile.
  • Customize Consistency: Modify sauce thickness by adding extra sour cream for a smoother texture or reducing liquid ingredients for a more concentrated flavor.
  • Herb Enhancement: Experiment with fresh herbs like chives or parsley to add brightness and visual appeal, complementing the sauce’s robust horseradish character.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 50
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 3 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 10 mg
Emily Lawson

Emily Lawson

Content Creator & Culinary Specialist

Expertise

  • Creative Content Writing and Blogging​
  • Plant-Based and Alternative Grilling Recipes​
  • Food Styling and Visual Storytelling​
  • Nutritional Analysis and Healthy Cooking

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and the fusion of global flavors with traditional grilling methods. ​


Emily Lawson is the content creator at Daves Grill, turning tasty ideas into clear, easy recipes. Based in Portland, she trained at the Oregon Culinary Institute and loves cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, especially grilled veggies and global flavors.

Emily mixes food writing with hands-on cooking to bring you recipes that feel fun, not stressful. Her goal is to make every dish simple, flavorful, and worth coming back to. Together, she and Dave serve up real food, one recipe at a time.

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