National Horseradish Month
July 1 - July 31
About National Horseradish Month
National Horseradish Month runs throughout July 2026, celebrating the pungent root that adds a fiery kick to everything from roast beef to cocktail sauce. Observed across the United States, the month-long event encourages home cooks, restaurants and food lovers to discover the many uses of fresh and prepared horseradish. It is a chance to put one of the kitchen’s boldest condiments back in the spotlight.
How to Celebrate National Horseradish Month
The whole point of National Horseradish Month is to actually use the stuff, so here are plenty of ways to fire up your taste buds throughout July.
- Make your own prepared horseradish – Grate a fresh root, then stir in vinegar and a pinch of salt. Add the vinegar immediately for a milder result, or wait a few minutes for a sharper, more nose-tingling heat.
- Whip up a classic horseradish sauce – Fold prepared horseradish into sour cream or creme fraiche with a squeeze of lemon. It is the traditional partner for roast beef and prime rib.
- Spike your cocktail sauce – Combine ketchup, lemon juice and a generous spoon of horseradish for the ultimate dip for prawns and shrimp.
- Build a better Bloody Mary – A teaspoon of horseradish gives this brunch cocktail its signature savoury punch. Try it in the non-alcoholic Virgin Mary too.
- Liven up sandwiches and burgers – Spread a little horseradish on a beef sandwich, a ham roll or a burger for an instant flavour upgrade with almost no calories.
- Stir it into mashed potatoes – A spoonful folded through buttery mash adds warmth and depth that pairs beautifully with grilled meats.
- Pair it with seafood and smoked fish – Horseradish cuts through rich, oily fish like smoked salmon and mackerel, balancing the flavour with its sharp heat.
- Grow your own – Horseradish is famously easy to cultivate from a root cutting. Plant one in a pot, since it spreads vigorously, and you will have a supply for years to come.
What is National Horseradish Month?
National Horseradish Month is an annual food observance held every July in the United States. It celebrates horseradish in all its forms: the fresh root, the leafy green plant, and above all the prepared horseradish condiment that millions of Americans keep in the fridge. The observance is closely associated with the Horseradish Information Council, the industry body that promotes the root and its culinary versatility. Anyone who enjoys a bit of heat in their cooking can take part, whether they are seasoned chefs or first-time growers.
When is National Horseradish Month?
National Horseradish Month takes place throughout the whole of July, running from Wednesday, 1 July 2026 to Friday, 31 July 2026. It is an annual observance with fixed dates, so it falls in July every single year. That timing suits the season well, since summer is peak grilling weather and horseradish is a natural companion for barbecued beef and seafood.
The History of National Horseradish Month
Horseradish itself has a far longer history than the awareness month that celebrates it. The plant is a member of the mustard family, related to cabbage, kale and cauliflower, and is believed to have originated in the regions of southern Russia and eastern Ukraine. It has been cultivated for thousands of years, prized by the ancient Greeks and Romans, who valued it as much for its supposed medicinal properties as for its flavour. By the Middle Ages, horseradish had earned a place at the table as one of the bitter herbs of the Jewish Passover Seder, a tradition that continues today.
The name itself is something of a happy accident. It is thought to come from a mishearing of the German word “meerrettich”, meaning sea radish. English speakers heard “meer” as “mare” and the root became known as horseradish, with “horse” historically used to suggest something large or coarse. The commercial horseradish industry in the United States took root in the 19th century when German immigrants began farming it in the fertile American Bottoms along the Mississippi River around the 1850s. The town of Collinsville, Illinois, became so central to production that it proudly calls itself the Horseradish Capital of the World.
National Horseradish Month was established to shine attention on this often-overlooked condiment and the industry behind it. The observance has been marked since at least the mid-2000s, championed by the Horseradish Information Council, which works to promote consumption and educate the public about the root’s many uses. Today it gives growers, processors and home cooks alike a reason to celebrate a flavour that has survived for millennia. If you enjoy these culinary observances, you might also love National Grilling Month, which shares July’s calendar and pairs perfectly with a sharp horseradish sauce.
Fun Facts About National Horseradish Month
- Around 6 million gallons of prepared horseradish are produced in the United States each year, according to the Horseradish Information Council. That is enough to season sandwiches stretching roughly 12 times around the globe.
- Nearly 85 percent of the world’s horseradish supply is grown around Collinsville, Illinois, thanks to its rich, sandy soil deposited by centuries of Mississippi flooding.
- The heat in horseradish comes from a compound called allyl isothiocyanate, which is only released when the root’s cells are crushed or grated.
- Horseradish has been cultivated for at least 3,000 years and was valued by both the ancient Egyptians and the Greeks.
- The entire plant is edible, from the peppery leaves right down to the root tip.
- Wasabi sold outside Japan is very often made from horseradish dyed green, since true wasabi is rare and expensive.
Why National Horseradish Month Matters
Beyond the fun of a fiery condiment, National Horseradish Month supports a small but historic agricultural industry concentrated in the American Midwest, where family farms have grown the root for generations. It is also a celebration of bold, low-fat flavour, since a spoonful of horseradish delivers a serious punch with barely any calories. Most of all, the month keeps a centuries-old culinary tradition alive and introduces a new generation of cooks to one of the kitchen’s most underrated ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Horseradish Month?
It is an annual American food observance held every July that celebrates horseradish in all its forms, from the fresh root to prepared horseradish condiment. It is promoted by the Horseradish Information Council to highlight the root’s flavour and versatility.
When is National Horseradish Month in 2026?
It runs throughout the whole of July 2026, from Wednesday, 1 July to Friday, 31 July. The observance falls in July every year.
Where does most horseradish come from?
Around 85 percent of the world’s horseradish is grown near Collinsville, Illinois, which calls itself the Horseradish Capital of the World. The area’s rich Mississippi floodplain soil is ideal for the crop.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your spiciest horseradish creations on social media with #NationalHorseradishMonth and #NationalHorseradishMonth2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to taste the heat throughout July!
Related Awareness Days
- National Grilling Month – Also held throughout July, it is the perfect partner for horseradish, the classic condiment for barbecued beef.
- National Blueberry Month – Another July food observance celebrating a homegrown American favourite, offering a sweet contrast to horseradish’s heat.
- Eggplant Month – A fellow July vegetable celebration that pairs beautifully with bold, punchy seasonings.
Links
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