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So, what is Hrеn (Hron)? Hren means “horseradish” but it refers to a horseradish relish. It pairs really well with meat, particularly turkey and it’s awesome on any kind of kielbasa.
As it is, hren is easy, even if you do cook your own beets. It’s potent stuff (I guess it depends on whose Hren you try). The one made by Maria for church dinners usually makes your eyes water, just like a nice punch of wasabi!
Ingredients for Russian Hren Horseradish (hron):
1/4 cup of Cream-style Horseradish (we used extra-hot version, we like it HOT)
2 large beets
1/4 tsp sugar
1 Tbsp vinegar for boiling beets PLUS 1/2 tsp vinegar for final product
3/4 tsp salt for boiling beets PLUS 1/8 tsp salt for final product
How to make Russian/ Ukrainian Horseradish Hren:
1. Place washed beets in the medium pot and cover with enough water to just cover the top of the beets. Add 1 Tbsp vinegar and 3/4 tsp salt to the water and boil about 1 hour, or until beets are easily pierced with a knife (cooking time for beets depends on what kind of beets you have).
2. Once beets are done, let them cool to room temperature. Use a plastic bag or gloves to remove skin from beets. If you don’t use gloves, your hands and nails will stain a bright pink. Finely grate beets using fine grater.
3. Once beets are grated, add 1/4 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp vinegar and 1/8 tsp salt and mix. Than add 1/4 cup of horseradish or to taste. If you like it super HOT, use less of the beets and more horseradish, just make sure you warn your dinner guests.
(You can also add more salt, vinegar or sugar to taste).
There you have it.
Russian Hren Horseradish Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup of Extra Hot Cream-style Horseradish
- 2 large beets
- 1/4 tsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp vinegar + 1/2 tsp
- 3/4 tsp salt + 1/8 tsp
Instructions
- Place washed beets in the medium pot and cover with enough water cover the top of the beets. Add 1 tbsp vinegar and 3/4 tsp salt to the water and boil about 1 hour, or until beets are easily pierced with a knife.
- Cool cooked beets to room temperature. Use gloves to remove skin from beets. Finely grate beets using fine grater.
- Once beets are grated, add 1/4 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp vinegar and 1/8 tsp salt and mix. Than add 1/4 cup of horseradish or to taste. You can also add more salt, vinegar or sugar to taste.
Notes
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Hi! Do you know if this would work when wanting to make a crema if you just added some sour cream and mayo?
Hi Sarah, I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
I made this today and so so good! How long does it last in the fridge in a container?
Hi Cindy, I refrigerate it after it’s cooked. I’m not sure if it can be preserved. I’ve never tested it. It was all gone in less than 2 weeks. But yes, it can last over a week.
Do you think you could use canned beets for this recipe or would they be too soft?
Hi Carma, I haven’t tested that myself to advise, but here’s what one of my readers wrote: “We always use canned beets, so we can make it in a flash. Our side of the family is always in charge of the Hren. We have found that the creamy horseradish works best with ham and prime rib. This is a favorite of ours at Christmas and Easter!” I hope that helps!
Is there anyway we be able to can this? Suggested information on how to would be great! Thanks
Hi Jessica, we never attempted to can this recipe so I can’t offer any advice on canning.
Do you have any idea how many cups of grated beets you ended up with. Kind of hard to judge with just the photos of the beets.
Hi Chris, around 2 cups approximately.
My Lithuanian grandpa used to make this! I remember him grating the horseradish by hand (he grew his own) out on the back porch. So spicy but so good. Thanks for bringing back some awesome memories 🙂
You’re welcome, Amber. I hope you’ll also love our version and recipe!
Oh yes! I forgot! It is not easy to find horseradish everywhere in the world (We are in the moment in Tahiti…). I found that replacing horseradish with Wasabi works great!
that’s great to know that wasabi is a good substitution for horseradish. Interesting!
In Serbia we also add grated carrots…delicious 😋
that sounds great with added grated carrot. Thank you so much for sharing!
Hi Julia, my mom (Ukrainian) used to make this from scratch every fall, grating the cooked beets, and the raw horseradish which she did outside. When I do not have access to fresh beets, I purchase 2 cans of cooked sliced beets and use a potato masher instead of grating them. Works perfectly, Yum….yum.
Sounds good! Thanks for sharing that with us, Dianne.