Are you finding your cooked meat bland? Add a spicy mix of grated horseradish and sweet apples to the plate! In old Czech cookbooks, this apple horseradish condiment was called Vejmrda, and today I have a simple recipe for you to try at home.
What is Czech apple horseradish
Apple horseradish, known as Vejmrda or Jablečný křen in Czech, used to be a traditional addition to cooked meat, enhancing its flavor perfectly. It was most commonly used during a pig slaughter, which in the Czech Republic traditionally took place in the winter season known as Masopust.
Apple horseradish goes best with boiled, roasted, or smoked meat. Try it with beef tongue, Ovar boiled ham hock, or this marinated pork knuckle. Don't forget to add a slice of fresh rye bread!
If you have ever attended a Czech pig slaughter (Zabíjačka), you are probably familiar with the delicious treats that come with this event! One of them is boiled pork knuckle, called Ovar in Czech. It is a tradition in our family that my father-in-law serves Ovar on New Year's Eve, accompanied by apple horseradish. If you are a fan of Czech cuisine and enjoy Párky sausages, add a heap of grated horseradish to them. You will see how delicious they will be!
I have recorded a short audio clip for those who would like to hear the Czech pronunciation of the two names for this recipe: Vejmrda and Jablečný křen.
Ingredients for apple horseradish
✅ See the recipe below with step-by-step photos and many helpful tips. Scroll down for the full printable recipe in both US cups and metric measurements.
The key ingredient in this recipe is horseradish. While it is a common root vegetable here in the Czech Republic, I am afraid it may not be readily available outside of Europe. You might try checking farmers' markets or specialty vegetable stores. Horseradish keeps well when stored properly, so with a little luck, you will be able to find it.
In the past, horseradish was quite common in Czech gardens. In our house, when we needed horseradish for cooking, my dad would just go out and dig up as much as was necessary.
The strength of horseradish lies in its freshness. Fresh horseradish is very pungent, and you will need less of it in this recipe, while horseradish that has been stored for a while won't be as pungent, and you will probably need more of it. This is why the exact amount of horseradish you add to Vejmrda depends on how fresh it is.
When it comes to apples, go for sweeter ones to balance the sharp taste of horseradish. My other article on how to shred apples may be helpful.
How to make apple horseradish
Making apple horseradish is that simple: just grate fresh horseradish root with a few peeled apples, add a little sugar, vinegar, and salt. For extra flavor, toss in some warm meat broth. See the recipe card below for complete instructions.
Useful tips
- If possible, prepare the apple horseradish a day in advance and refrigerate it to let the flavors blend together.
- Grating horseradish may release irritating substances. Be prepared for tears or sneezing. Wearing goggles may help to some extent - personally tested!
📖 Recipe
Grated Horseradish with Apples (Czech Vejmrda)
Tap or hover to scale
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons horseradish root
- 2 medium sweet apples
- ½ Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup beef broth or pork broth
Instructions
- Peel fresh horseradish and grate 4 Tablespoons horseradish root finely using a hand grater.
- Peel and grate 2 medium sweet apples using a grater with large holes. Combine with horseradish.
- Add ½ Tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and ½ cup beef broth. Taste and adjust the amount of ingredients according to your preference.
Notes
- The basic recipe makes 4 portions.
- SERVING: Serve apple horseradish alongside a slice of boiled, roasted, or smoked meat. One to two tablespoons per serving should be enough. Add a piece of fresh bread.
- The exact amount of ingredients depends on your taste preferences. More grated horseradish means a stronger flavor. You can smooth the sharp taste by adding grated apple or a bit of sugar.
- Store the remaining apple horseradish in the fridge, where it will last for about a week.
Nutritional estimate pro serving
More Czech recipes:
- Horseradish sauce (Křenová omáčka)
- Oven roasted pork shoulder (Vepřová pečínka)
Tried this recipe?
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Stephanie says
Wow, I’ve not seen anyone else make an apple and horseradish sauce before. My mother who is from Slovenia used to make a very similar apple and horseradish sauce to eat with smoked or roasted meats/ sausage when I was a child. I’ll have to try your recipe and see if it’s as delicious as I remember! Thank you for the recipe.