Guessing time! You came looking for the best horseradish substitutes because you made a delicious sauce for steak but didn’t have horseradish to add to it. No worries! I’ll provide you with just that; the most suitable and best substitutes for horseradish.
Horseradish is a delicious root vegetable used mostly in sauces and relishes. So, without further ado, let’s get to know about the best substitutes for horseradish. Any ideas? Some of the best horseradish substitutes are wasabi root/paste, wasabi oil, wasabi powder, horseradish sauce, mustard, and ginger.
Horseradish is a favorite of many and tastes best with prime ribs or steak. It goes well with meat or anything with a bit of a meaty texture. You can use horseradish as a flavor enhancer in your dish and also provide a certain heat to the dish. It is both a versatile ingredient and a restricting ingredient at the same time.
Having such a unique flavor, horseradish becomes an important ingredient for various reasons. Hence, it is important for you to substitute it with something when it isn’t available. In this article, I’ll tell you more about horseradish, how it can be used, and most importantly, the best substitutes for horseradish. You better be ready!
Horseradish In The Culinary World
Horseradish is one of the best root vegetables you can come across during your cooking experience. It belongs to the Brassicaceae family along with other vegetables like broccoli, mustard, cabbage, etc. It is thin-skinned and has dense white flesh with a bit of crispiness to it.
Horseradish has a sharp and pungent taste. It is also incredibly spicy, and the heat it provides can actually make your eyes water. The best way to reduce that reaction of spiciness would be to mix some vinegar with the horseradish.
Horseradish is known for its strong, spicy flavor. From condiments to relishes, you can use it whichever way you want. It goes really well with roasted beef and in sandwiches, providing it with a spicy kick. It can also be used in light salads so as to provide more depth to it.
You can flavor anything using horseradish as long as you know how to balance it. It is mostly made into a sauce or used as a salad dressing. It is perfect for Sunday roasts and barbecues. Horseradish also makes an amazing substitute for wasabi.
Horseradish On The Health Radar | Looking Through The Wellness Telescope
Horseradish is a natural, rich source of antioxidants. It is also rich in several vital nutrients such as calcium, vitamin C, zinc, and potassium. Horseradish has antibacterial and diuretic properties.
Horseradish enhances the functioning of the circulatory system and assists in weight loss. It improves metabolic activities and boosts the immune system. Some studies also have found horseradish to be beneficial in fighting against cancer.
Why Should We Substitute Horseradish?
Horseradish is a versatile, healthy ingredient that is usually easily available. But there can be cases when the local grocery stores are out of it, and you need the best substitutes for horseradish to finish your recipe.
If you are someone who wishes to experiment, you need the help of good alternatives for horseradish then also. You can actually emulate the taste and flavor of horseradish without actually using it. Curious right? Let us not waste more time talking about horseradish.
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11 Best Horseradish Substitutes
Finding something with a similar taste and texture to horseradish might be easier than you think. A lot of great substitutes are available for horseradish, but in this article, we’ll only discuss the best ones. Come on then! Let’s know about the eleven best substitutes for horseradish.
1. Wasabi (Root/Paste)
Wasabi and horseradish are swappable in recipes, making it the best horseradish substitute. This is because wasabi belongs to the same family as horseradish. It has a similar heat and taste to it as horseradish does. You can use the same amount of wasabi as required in the recipe for horseradish.
However, since it is a bit milder in spiciness, you might need to use more than the required amount in certain recipes. You can replace horseradish root with wasabi root. Hence, you can substitute horseradish sauce with wasabi paste.
2. Wasabi Oil
Wasabi oil is made by combining an oil base (olive oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil) with extracts of wasabi horseradish, mustard seed, and sugar. It has a rich flavor with overtones of pungent taste as well.
Wasabi oil can work as a horseradish substitute due to the similar flavor profiles they have, although wasabi oil has a mild flavor. But it works as a good substitute for salads or dishes.
3. Wasabi Powder
Another derivative of wasabi, wasabi powder, is simply the dried version of the wasabi plant. Most of the wasabi powder we see is a blend of mustard, horseradish, and other additives.
Pure wasabi powder is incredibly rare to find and use, and so we might have to make peace with wasabi powder that is available. Wasabi powder is a good horseradish substitute due to the pungent, delicate flavor it has, similar to horseradish.
4. Horseradish Sauce
Horseradish sauce is basically the blend of grated horseradish with vinegar and salt. For a creamy version, you can consider adding sour cream, heavy cream, or mayonnaise. It has a rich, spicy flavor and a thick consistency like any other sauce.
If you can get your hands on horseradish sauce, you have got yourself a pretty good alternative for horseradish. Horseradish sauce essentially has the predominant flavor of horseradish, making it a good alternative for horseradish.
5. Mustard
Another great substitute for horseradish is mustard. It also belongs to the same family as horseradish. Using mustard as a substitute for horseradish sauce will work better than substituting it for horseradish root. This is because of the concentration in flavor and the texture of it.
Picking the right kind of mustard is extremely important. You might wanna pick one which is the closest to horseradish in terms of spiciness and flavor. Keep in mind the needs of the recipe and choose the kind of mustard accordingly.
6. Ginger
When you think about the aroma and sharp flavor provided by horseradish, you can’t help but think about ginger. Ginger is one of the well-known spices used as a flavor-enhancing agent in many cuisines. It is also used as a folk medicine due to its immense health benefits.
Ginger has a peppery, sweet flavor with a pungent aroma. Ginger is a befitting substitute for horseradish because of its intense and aromatic flavor. It might not be as spicy as horseradish, so use it accordingly in your recipe.
7. Daikon
Daikon radish, also known as Japanese radish, is a variety of radish with long roots. It has a sweet flavor with a subtle spiciness. It looks kind of similar to horseradish root. It is crunchy and is even a bit pungent.
Using daikon as a substitute for horseradish is good if you’re not looking for the peppery, spicy kick that horseradish provides. It can be used on an equal ratio in stews and soups.
8. Black Radish
Black radish is a root vegetable that is a variety of winter radish. It is a bit spicy and has a pungent flavor to it. Apart from culinary purposes, black radish is used to improve the functioning of the liver, lower cholesterol, and overall detoxification.
Black radish has a great similarity in flavor and texture to that horseradish, making it a good alternative for horseradish. Most of the spiciness is stored in its skin if that’s what you want to add to your dish. It can be a bit hard to find but makes a good substitute for horseradish.
9. Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is a fine type of cabbage that is fermented. It has an acidic flavor to it and is a bit on the sour side (on the Sauer side *wink*). It is made through a process of lacto-fermentation where cabbage is shredded and mixed with salt and water. This is allowed to ferment for around six weeks, which increases its acidity in it.
Sauerkraut is a good substitute for horseradish if you don’t require much spice in your recipe. Sauerkraut can easily replace horseradish in sauces, dips, salad dressings, etc.
10. Parsnip
Parsnip is a root vegetable and a member of the parsley family. It is shaped like a carrot and has a sweet flavor. Though it is sweet in flavor, it can also be a bit bitter at times. It has a strong earthy flavor and a tender texture.
Parsnip works as a great replacement for horseradish if you don’t mind a less spicy flavor in your dish. It can be baked, mashed, or steamed and used to replace horseradish in stocks and soups.
11. Rutabaga
Rutabaga is also known as Swede or Swedish turnip. It is a root vegetable that is a hybrid of turnip and cabbages. It has a sweet flavor with a mildly bitter taste. It usually resembles a turnip in appearance and flavor.
Rutabaga works as a fine replacement for horseradish, considering its mild flavor and a texture similar to horseradish. It can be cooked, fried, mashed, or roasted and used to replace horseradish in any recipe.
Short Recap For Best Horseradish Substitutes
That must have been an exhaustive read on the best horseradish substitutes, right? Let me make it easy for you to remember the details with the help of some points.
Radish-based Substitutes: The best horseradish substitutes which are based on radishes are wasabi root/paste, wasabi oil, wasabi powder, daikon, black radish, and horseradish sauce.
Other Substitutes: Ginger, mustard, parsnip, sauerkraut, and rutabaga are the other best horseradish substitutes.
How To Use Horseradish Substitutes In A Recipe
Horseradish Substitutes
Ingredients
- Wasabi Root/Paste
- Wasabi Oil
- Wasabi Powder
- Horseradish Sauce
- Mustard
- Ginger
- Daikon
- Black Radish
- Sauerkraut
- Parsnip
- Rutabaga
Instructions
- Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
- Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
- Use the substitute in the required amount and proceed to make the dish according to the recipe.
Final Musings
Horseradish has a blend of flavors that is hard to find. Being a popular ingredient, its availability gets overpowered by its consumption. Therefore, you must find the right substitutes for it.
So, the next time you’re out of horseradish, turn to this article and replace it with any of the substitutes mentioned in the list. Make sure to tell me how you liked the article in the comments section below. Good luck and happy cooking!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the substitute for horseradish in Bloody Mary?
Wasabi is a good substitute for horseradish in Bloody Mary.
What is creamy horseradish made of?
Creamy horseradish or horseradish sauce is made of prepared horseradish, sour cream and black pepper.
What is the substitute for horseradish Passover?
Romaine lettuce, arugula, kale, chicory or endive are good substitutes for horseradish Passover.
What is meant by Prepared horseradish?
Prepared horseradish is made using grated horseradish root, vinegar, and salt.
