Creamy Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib
This Creamy Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib is rich, tangy, and packed with bold flavor, making it the perfect companion for prime rib, beef tenderloin, steak, and roast beef. Made with sour cream, mayonnaise, prepared horseradish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce, this easy recipe comes together in just minutes and adds a cool, creamy finish to every bite. Pair it with my famous Salt Encrusted Prime Rib Recipe for an unforgettable holiday dinner or special occasion.

Creamy Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib
Creamy Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib is an easy homemade sauce that comes together in just 5 minutes with a handful of simple ingredients. It’s perfect for making ahead, keeps well in the refrigerator, and adds a cool, creamy finish that takes prime rib, roast beef, beef tenderloin, and steak to the next level. Once you make it from scratch, you’ll never want to buy store-bought horseradish sauce again.
Every bite delivers a cool, creamy texture with a bold kick of prepared horseradish balanced by tangy sour cream and fresh lemon juice. Mayonnaise creates a smooth, velvety finish, while Worcestershire sauce adds savory richness. It’s the perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and zesty flavors that makes this Creamy Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib a classic pairing for holiday dinners and special occasions.
Simple Ingredients
- Sour Cream: creates a cool, creamy base with just the right amount of tang.
- Prepared Horseradish: delivers the bold, signature flavor that makes this sauce unforgettable.
- Mayonnaise: adds a rich, silky texture and balances the heat of the horseradish.
- Lemon Juice: brightens the sauce and balances the richness with fresh citrus flavor.
- Worcestershire Sauce: adds savory depth with a touch of umami.
- Kosher Salt: enhances all the flavors and ties the ingredients together.
- Pepper: adds a subtle kick and complements the horseradish without overpowering it.

How to Make It
Note: This is a quick overview of the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete ingredient list, exact measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Step 1. Add the sour cream, mayonnaise, prepared horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper to a medium bowl. Whisk until the creamy horseradish sauce is completely smooth and all the ingredients are fully combined.
Step 2. Cover and refrigerate the sauce for at least 15 minutes before serving. Chilling gives the flavors time to blend and creates the best texture. Give the sauce a quick stir, then serve your Creamy Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib alongside prime rib, roast beef, beef tenderloin, or steak.
Looking for more sauce recipes? These reader favorites pair beautifully with holiday dinners, family meals, and weekend gatherings.

Recipe Tips
These simple tips will help you make the best Creamy Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib every time.
- Use prepared horseradish, not fresh horseradish root, for the classic creamy flavor and texture.
- Adjust the heat by adding more or less prepared horseradish to suit your taste.
- Refrigerate the sauce for at least 15 minutes before serving so the flavors have time to blend.
- For the best flavor, make it a few hours ahead or even the day before serving.
- Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for extra tang and depth of flavor.
- Swap the lemon juice for apple cider vinegar if that’s what you have on hand.
- Substitute plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream for a lighter version.
- Garnish with fresh chives or parsley just before serving for a fresh finish.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator and stir before serving if it separates slightly.

Delicious Ways to Use Creamy Horseradish Sauce
Don’t let any of this Creamy Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib go to waste. Its tangy, zesty flavor pairs with much more than prime rib. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy leftovers throughout the week.
- Spread it on roast beef or steak sandwiches for a creamy, flavorful upgrade.
- Serve it with pork tenderloin, grilled steak, or beef tenderloin as a dipping sauce.
- Stir it into mashed potatoes for a rich, tangy side dish.
- Dollop it onto baked potatoes instead of plain sour cream.
- Mix it into coleslaw or potato salad for an extra burst of flavor.
- Whisk it into your favorite salad dressing for a creamy horseradish vinaigrette.
- Add a spoonful to deviled eggs to give the filling a bold kick.
- Use it as a dip for roasted vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, or asparagus.
Storage
- Store leftover Creamy Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Keep the sauce chilled until ready to serve, and give it a quick stir before serving, as the ingredients may separate slightly during storage.
- I don’t recommend freezing this sauce because the sour cream and mayonnaise can separate slightly, resulting in a watery texture after thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Creamy Horseradish Sauce ahead of time?
Yes! Creamy Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib is an excellent make-ahead recipe. Preparing it a few hours in advance, or even the day before, gives the horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings time to blend together for an even richer flavor. Store it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve, then give it a quick stir before bringing it to the table.
Is prepared horseradish the same as horseradish sauce?
No. Prepared horseradish is simply grated horseradish root preserved in vinegar and salt, while horseradish sauce is made by combining prepared horseradish with creamy ingredients like sour cream and mayonnaise. This recipe uses prepared horseradish to create a rich, creamy horseradish sauce that’s perfect for prime rib and other beef dishes.
How spicy is creamy horseradish sauce?
Creamy horseradish sauce has a noticeable kick, but the sour cream and mayonnaise mellow the heat, creating a smooth balanced flavor. If you prefer a milder sauce, use a little less prepared horseradish. For extra heat, simply stir in another teaspoon or two to taste.
What meats go best with creamy horseradish sauce?
Creamy Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib pairs beautifully with prime rib, roast beef, beef tenderloin, steak, pork tenderloin, and roast beef sandwiches. It’s also delicious stirred into mashed potatoes, served with roasted vegetables, or used as flavorful spread for burgers and sandwiches.
Simple homemade recipes like this are often the ones everyone remembers, and I hope this creamy horseradish sauce for prime rib becomes one you’ll make again and again.
Pin this Creamy Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib to your dinner recipe board on Pinterest so you can find it again for Christmas, Easter, and holiday dinners.
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Tried This Recipe?
I love hearing your feedback. Please leave a review if you loved the recipe.
Creamy Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib
Creamy Horseradish Sauce for Prime Rib is a rich, tangy homemade sauce made with sour cream, mayonnaise, prepared horseradish, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Ready in just 5 minutes, it's the perfect condiment for prime rib, roast beef, beef tenderloin, and steak.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish, drained
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Add the sour cream, mayonnaise, prepared horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper to a medium bowl. Whisk until the creamy horseradish sauce is completely smooth and all the ingredients are well combined.
- Cover and refrigerate the sauce for at least 15 minutes before serving. Chilling gives the flavors time to blend and creates the best texture. Give the sauce a quick stir, then serve alongside prime rib, roast beef, beef tenderloin, or steak.
Notes
- Use prepared horseradish, not fresh horseradish root, for the classic creamy flavor and texture.
- Adjust the heat by adding more or less prepared horseradish to suit your taste.
- Refrigerate the sauce for at least 15 minutes before serving so the flavors have time to blend.
- For the best flavor, make it a few hours ahead or even the day before serving.
- Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for extra tang and depth of flavor.
- Swap the lemon juice for apple cider vinegar if that's what you have on hand.
- Substitute plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream for a lighter version.
- Garnish with fresh chives or parsley just before serving for a fresh finish.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator and stir before serving if it separates slightly.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6 servingsServing Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 88Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 14mgSodium 168mgCarbohydrates 2gFiber 0gSugar 1gProtein 1g
This sounds amazing; I LOVE horseradish and even make homemade, but never think to use that to make a sauce!
Oooh, I love the addition of Worcestershire sauce in this! I loooooooove horseradish on meat and this recipe looks lovely. Thank you!
Very tasty! Made this to go with corned beef and family loved it. I think I am going to add more horseradish to make it a bit more zesty. Thank you.
Hi Star! Thank you for letting me know. Kelly
Using this for with Easter Ham. Can you say YUM! I happened to be making a lemon cake as well so put about 1 tsp of fresh grated lemon zest in it too. Thank you for sharing. I agree with Tessa, the Worcestershire makes this happening!
Hello Teresa! I’m so glad you loved the recipe. Thank you for letting me know. Kelly
So yummy! Perfect amount of everything in the recipe!
Hello Mary! So glad you loved the recipe. Thank you for letting me know. Kelly
Delicious!! This is better than any I have had in a restaurant. This recipe has been saved so I can make it often.
Wow April! Thank you so much. I really appreciate the feedback. Kelly
Can this sauce be prepared s day in advance?
Hello Carol! Yes it can be prepared in advance. Kelly
Can you use miracle whip for the Mayo?
Hello Linda! You can – it will taste a little different. It will still be good though. Kelly
Perfect balance of fat from the sour cream and mayo (I used Dukes) and acidity from the horseradish. I added a teaspoon of Dijon too. Delish!
Hello Michele! I’m so glad you loved the recipe. Great idea on the Dijon. Kelly
When you say “prepared horseradish”..is it the creamy version?
Hello Roxie! You can use either. The creamy version is milder in flavor. I use the jar of regular horseradish, which is much stronger. Kelly
I usually stop after your first 2 ingredients and call it a creamy horseradish sauce but this sounds seriously good. It just so happens I have some leftover prime rib from Christmas. I’ll have to give this a try. Thanks.
Hello Eva! Let me know how you like the recipe. Thanks for letting me know. Kelly
Made this tonight, to go on corned beef. Substituted for lactaid sour cream and vegan mayo (Hellmann’s). 1000% loved by my family. They were even putting it on their bread. I think I’ll use a bit more horseradish next time, because oh yes….there will be a next time. Delicious! ❤️
Hello Summer! I’m so glad you loved the recipe. Thank you so much for letting me know. – Kelly
I had never tried Horseradish Sauce before, but now I’m a fan. The family loved this recipe. I substituted apple cider vinegar for lemon juice.
Hello Ron! Oh my goodness, now you know what you’ve been missing. I love the stuff. I actually add way more prepared horseradish than the recipe because I love the spiciness! I’m so happy you tried it. – Kelly