The Horseradish root has several uses, including the star of the horseradish condiment recipe, as an addition to other recipes, and even as homeopathic remedies. A great option to store extra horseradish root is to freeze it.
You can freeze, can, or dry almost all fruits, vegetables, and herbs for long-term use. Horseradish is no different. All things considered, it has excellent qualities for freezing, as you will learn below.
Freezing any extra produce from your garden is an excellent way to eat organically and be more self-sustaining. Horseradish is a wonderful candidate for freezing. It is best to freeze it after grating for perfect portions for recipes as well as to maintain flavor.
Overall, freezing does mute the flavor of horseradish, but following the proper freezing steps will ensure the most flavor is saved.
Simply grate your horseradish root and lay on a parchment-lined baking sheet in 1 Tbsp mounds. When the mounds are frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer-safe container. Thawing is easy.
Take out the number of tablespoon portions you will need and leave them in a covered dish on the counter. The mounds will thaw quickly. After thawing, you can add them to your recipe for a great kick.
How To Freeze Horseradish Root
Horseradish root can absolutely be frozen and will keep for 6 months in a standard freezer and for 1 year in a deep freezer. It is likely that your horseradish will lose some potency in both aroma and flavor.
Step 1: Peel And Grate Your Horseradish Root
Peeling and grating your horseradish is how you will prepare it, whether for immediate use or for the freezer. Freezing horseradish root in large chunks is not recommended.
The easiest way for you to grate it is using a food processor. Additionally, exposing the root to air and heat reduces its spicy flavor and aroma.
Step 2: Spoon 1 Tbsp Mounds Onto A Parchment-lined Baking Sheet
It is best to pre-freeze your horseradish for long-term storage. The 1 tablespoon mounds will make it easy to thaw what you need when your recipe is lacking some heat. Also, the parchment paper baking sheet will allow the mount to freeze individually for storage.
Step 3: Collect The Mounds Into A Freezer-Safe Container
Once completely frozen, you can store the horseradish mounds long-term. A freezer-safe bag or container is the ideal storage method for your horseradish. As shown above, your horseradish will keep in a standard fridge for 6 months and for 1 year in a deep freezer.
Best Ways To Store Horseradish Root
The best way to store fresh horseradish root whether organically grown in your own backyard or purchased from a grocery store is whole in a cool, dry place.
Freezing produce is an excellent way to naturally preserve it if you cannot use it before it spoils. For one thing, the horseradish plant grows well over the summer producing ample crop.
It is unlikely that a family could consume all the horseradish that they would harvest in the fall. In this case, freezing would ensure that your labor of love did not wilt away.
After harvesting, horseradish roots can last a month when stored in a cool, dry place. If you think you will not finish your crop in that month, you will look for alternative ways to store it.
How To Use Thawed Horseradish Root
An important thing to note is that horseradish roots are toxic to both humans and animals. Doctors do not recommend significant consumption because of this toxicity. Furthermore, horseradish irritates the digestive tract, especially to those who have digestive ailments like ulcers or IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).
In fact, doctors do not recommend it for children, pregnant, or breastfeeding women to consume large amounts of horseradish.
Cooking With Horseradish
We frequently use horseradish root in culinary applications as a condiment. We prepare horseradish with grated horseradish root, vinegar, and salt. The freezing process makes it so one step (the grating) is already complete!
The condiment found on your Reuben sandwich uses this prepared horseradish and mixes it with mayonnaise, sour cream, and cream. Horseradish is very pungent. For this reason, a little of horseradish goes a long way.
Recipes With Horseradish
Horseradish root can be added to several recipes to add some spice. Here is a list of just a few:
- Deviled Eggs
- Mayo
- Macaroni Salad
- Potato Salad
- Sushi
- Scrambled Eggs
Best Ways To Eat Horseradish
Grated horseradish is the most popular way of consuming horseradish. Both professional and home chefs add horseradish to recipes to add a spicy and earthy flavor. Finding organic and fresh horseradish in the grocery store can be very difficult.
Growing and freezing your own can be a great alternative! It is easy to thaw the proportion you need and add it as a garnish at the end of cooking. This method will ensure the most flavor is saved.
All You Need To Know About Horseradish
Scientists categorize the horseradish plant as both a vegetable and an herb. It grows in a clump like a rhubarb. Additionally, it is perennial which means once planted, it will return every year without new seeds. We plant horseradish in the spring, and it grows all summer.
Eventually, we harvest horseradish in the fall after it bears tiny, white flowers. A horseradish plant grows to 2.5 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide. We grow it for the roots that are white with a yellow tint and quite pungent. We can use the root in homeopathic remedies or as a great addition to a recipe.
Growing Your Own Horseradish
Generally, horseradish is an easy and low hassle crop to add to your home garden. Fresh horseradish root is usable for one month. More time at home has led many people to test their green thumbs at hobby farming.
One of the greatest benefits of growing your own produce is that you know exactly where it comes from and can control all pesticides and ensure organic growth. You will be able to add it naturally to your recipes.
If you become a successful hobby farmer, you will end up with more produce than you can handle. What are you to do with all the extra produce?
Considering all that goes into growing your own produce at home, it may not be cost-effective. You must buy all the supplies to garden, seeds and starters, fertilizers, and even commit your own time and energy.
Planting Horseradish
Horseradish starts from small pieces of root from another horseradish plant. Once the earth is clear from a frost, you can plant the roots. If the horseradish has well-draining soil and a sunny location, it can grow aggressively.
The plant can grow so aggressively that it will overtake nearby plants. It is best to plant the root pieces at a 45-degree angle. You should plant the roots no deeper than 3 inches and at least 18 inches apart.
Harvesting Horseradish
Your horseradish will be ready to harvest in late autumn. Moreover, your crop will yield better flavor if you wait for a couple of frosts to occur. Pruning your horseradish plant will help keep it controlled in size. Extra root pieces can start more plants in the spring.
Is possible to leave the roots in the ground over winter and the plant will return in the spring. However, this makes it difficult to control the growth of the plant in your garden.
Health Benefits
As has been noted, horseradish root carries some risk if consumed in large quantities. However, it has some medicinal benefits if consumed in small amounts. Horseradish can treat symptoms from the renal system.
It is a natural diuretic and so eases some issues with urinary tract infections and kidney stones. Consuming horseradish may also give some relief to nerve and joint pain. Applying horseradish root topically can also ease swollen joints.
Although, we need to warn that horseradish can cause irritation to the skin just as it irritates the digestive tract. The heat of the horseradish root also contains components that irritate skin and tissue.
Horseradish Is A Superfood
Conversely, horseradish is also a superfood in limited quantities. Horseradish roots contain cancer-fighting compounds. This compound is glucosinolate.
A teaspoon of horseradish is enough to benefit from these cancer-fighting compounds. The compounds work with enzymes in our body to detoxify cancer-causing molecules.
For topical applications, thaw the horseradish on the counter and apply in the grated root to the skin for some time.
Final Thoughts
Considering long-term storage for your horseradish will save you from losing all the yield from your horseradish plant. Horseradish root has many health benefits, including a cancer-fighting compound. In fact, horseradish contains ten times more of this cancer-fighting compound when compared to broccoli.
The root can also ease joint pain and urinary tract issues. The flavor of horseradish is strong and has a good amount of heat, but people’s views on it can polarizing. Store-bought horseradish root or sauce does not compare to fresh and organically grown.
Following the steps above will ensure that your horseradish root thrives while in your garden and sustains you through a year of culinary experiences.
My name is Keren Tayler. I am a stay-at-home mama to three lovely girls, Sarah + Rachel + Hannah. Prior to becoming a mom, I had a successful career in the accounting field, steps away from becoming a CPA. I decided to give up on my career in order to raise my own kids (as opposed to letting a nanny do it, no judgment here :)) I learned a lot and I love sharing it with other moms. Along the way, I also became a Certified Food Handler.