This ruby-red horseradish is well known to lovers of gefilte fish, who add a dollop to the mild fish quenelles to give them a kick and some dazzling color. Chrain is a Yiddish word that derives from khren, Russian for “horseradish.” Most American recipes for this beloved Eastern European condiment tame the fiery root, first by calling for twice as many beets as horseradish and then by boiling or roasting them to make the final product milder. Our recipe flips that script. We use twice as much horseradish as beets, and because we use a raw beet, it sharpens rather than softens the flavor. You may also swap yellow beets in for the red to make a golden version.

　　Horseradish root varies in its degree of heat, depending on its age. So look for young roots that are firm and unbruised, neither desiccated nor too fibrous. In any case, take care not to breathe in too deeply when you open the lid of the food processor. Whether young or old, grated horseradish is potent enough to make your eyes sting.

　　This recipe was excerpted from ‘Preserved' by Darra Goldstein, Cortney Burns, and Richard Martin. Buy the full book on Amazon.

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What you’ll need

　　Chevron

　　Chevron

　　Food Processor

　　$300 At Amazon

　　Kosher Salt

　　$12 $11 At Amazon

　　Granulated Sugar

　　$13 $12 At Amazon

　　

Ingredients

Makes 1 pint

　　8 oz. horseradish root, peeled and coarsely chopped

　　1 medium red beet, coarsely chopped

　　¼ cup distilled white vinegar

　　1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice

　　1 Tbsp. kosher salt

　　1 Tbsp. sugar

　　¼ cup warm water

　　

Step 1

In a food processor fitted with the shredding disk, shred the chopped horseradish and beet. Replace the disk with the chopping blade. Add the vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and sugar to the shredded roots and process the mixture until finely chopped. Add the water, continuing to process until the horseradish is very fine (the mixture will still have some texture). If the mixture seems too dry, add a little more water.

　　

Step 2

Pack the chrain into a clean 1-pint (475 ml) jar and store in the refrigerator. Let it sit for at least 24 hours before using to allow the flavors to meld. The chrain will keep for 3 months, though its heat will diminish as it ages.

　　Excerpted with permission from Preserved: Condiments by Darra Goldstein, Cortney Burns, and Richard Martin, published by Hardie Grant Publishing, October 2023. Buy the full book from Amazon or Hardie Grant.