Out of horseradish or don’t like its strong taste? Discover the best horseradish substitutes to keep your dishes flavorful and full of flavor. This guide presents the 10 best horseradish substitutes so your meals are never lacking in that unique flavor.
Horseradish is found in many popular recipes, including horseradish sauce, horseradish aioli, and a variety of sauces; It plays a crucial role in the final flavor of a dish and shouldn’t be left out entirely.
Substitute for horseradish
Read on to discover the best horseradish substitute. Keep in mind that the best substitute depends on the specific flavors of your recipe and your personal taste preferences.
horseradish sauce
If you run out of fresh horseradish, prepared horseradish sauce (horseradish with vinegar and other ingredients) is a good substitute.
Ready-made horseradish sauce is available at almost any grocery store that sells mustard and other condiments.
Ratio: 1 to 1
Wasabi Root
Wasabi root, also known as Japanese horseradish, is our favorite substitute for fresh horseradish as they both come from the same family and have very similar flavor and spice profiles. Fresh wasabi has a similarly bold and spicy flavor profile, with slightly more concentration of earthy flavors.
Fresh wasabi is slightly milder and sweeter than horseradish. So increase the amount if you’re looking for a substitute with the same flavor. It’s best to start with a little less, as the earthy notes won’t exactly match.
Wasabi root is available at most Asian grocery stores, as well as upscale grocery stores like Whole Foods.
Ratio: 1 to .5
Wasabi powder
What do you get when you dehydrate and grind fresh wasabi? Wasabi powder. The same great taste in powder form.
Of course, if you’re using store-bought wasabi powder, it’s most likely actually horseradish and not wasabi.
To use it, you must first mix the powder with water to form a paste. From then on, it is considered a wasabi paste with a different ratio.
Mix 2 parts powder with 1 part water. Mix to make the paste.
Ratio: 1 to 1 (after creating the paste)
wasabi oil
Wasabi oil is a spice with the strong flavor and pungency of wasabi. Typically used in cooking to add a spicy, savory touch to dishes such as sushi, salads and grilled meats, it provides an intense and uniquely aromatic spiciness.
Ratio: 1 to 1-2 (depending on oil brand)
Mustard
Strong mustard, especially Dijon mustard, hot Chinese mustard, or a hot English variety can substitute for horseradish in many recipes. It won’t have the same sharpness, but it will deliver similar heat. Here are some substitutes for Dijon mustard.
Ratio: 1 to 1
Spicy mustard powder
Like prepared mustard, mustard powder can produce a spiciness similar to horseradish, especially when mixed with a little water to activate the flavors.
To use, you need to mix the powder with water to make a paste. Mix 2 parts mustard powder with 1 part water to form a paste.
Ratio: 1 to 0.5 (after making the paste)
Less popular options
Here are a few options that don’t have the same flavor profile or spiciness as horseradish, but work in a pinch.
Ginger
Fresh ginger has a savory, peppery flavor that can be a good substitute for horseradish. It doesn’t have the same nasal-cleansing effect, but adds a nice spice. It also has a strong flavor profile. So start small so as not to overwhelm the intended flavor of the dish you are preparing.
Ratio: 1 to .5
Daikon radish
Raw radishes have a peppery, slightly spicy flavor that can be reminiscent of horseradish. Grating can help release more of their flavor and spiciness.
Daikon radish (pickled daikon radish) belongs to a plant family similar to horseradish, but has striking differences: taste and texture come first. It is best to consider the use for which you are using it. It won’t work if you’re making horseradish aioli or sauce, but a salad dressing would work.
Ratio: 1 to 1
Black radish
Black radish is a better alternative than any other radish variety and provides the desired spiciness. The heat is in the skin and therefore changes the color of the recipe you are preparing. Be sure to grate the radish before adding it to the dish.
Black radishes tend to be harder to find than other varieties.
Ratio: 1 to 1
peppercorns
Ground peppercorns, especially white or black, can provide a spicy kick similar to horseradish. Of course, peppercorns can’t completely replace horseradish as they don’t add any liquid to the dish, but if you just want to replace the spiciness aspect, peppercorns are a good option.
It’s the perfect substitute when you’re making horseradish mashed potatoes.
Ratio: Adjusts depending on the recipe. Start small and work your way up.
Uses of horseradish
Here are some of our favorite horseradish recipes:
Remember: When substituting horseradish, the most important thing is to balance the flavors in your dish. These alternatives may not provide an exact match, but they offer a similar kick.
Additional Resources
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