30 Best Wasabi Recipes That Bring The Heat

Forget everything you think you know about Japanese horseradish because these deliciously spicy wasabi recipes go way beyond a simple sushi dinner.

In fact, adding wasabi to the mix can quickly elevate any meal with its bright and fresh taste. 

Of course, there’s no denying this stuff is hot. Just a pinch will clear your sinuses and leave you reaching for a cold drink.

But if you’re the kind of person who carries mini bottles of hot sauce everywhere, you’ll go nuts for these mouthwatering wasabi recipes.

1. Wasabi Mashed Potatoes

There’s nothing wrong with regular mashed potatoes, but these wasabi mashed potatoes are way more delectable.

You and your guests will be amazed at how one tiny pinch of wasabi paste can transform an ordinarily mild dish.

You don’t need a lot to turn simple mash into a sophisticated dish with a gentle heat that doesn’t burn your tongue or make you tear up.

Also, here’s a bonus: these mashed potatoes are vegan and gluten-free.

2. Wasabi Mayo 

With its distinct taste and iconic burning sensation, some people aren’t too keen on adding wasabi to their meals.

If you’re one of them, I urge you to give wasabi mayo a try. I’m telling you, it’s a game-changer.

When you whisk together these two ingredients, magic happens.

The creamy mayo dials down that overbearing heat from the wasabi, resulting in perfect harmony.

I like it as a dip, but it also works well as a salad dressing or even in sandwiches and grilled cheese!

3. Steak Sandwiches with Wasabi Cream Sauce 

Obviously, the star here is the steak. So, splurge on a ribeye or strip steak, and it’ll be juicy, tender, and buttery.

But aside from the meat, this wasabi cream is pretty darn impressive.

Made with sour cream, mayo, wasabi, cilantro, and garlic, this sauce will knock your socks off. 

Between the creamy and umami-rich flavor, there’s plenty of earthy, garlicky goodness. And we can’t forget the signature wasabi heat!

It’s the perfect dressing for a rich and meaty sandwich.

4. Wasabi Peas

This deceiving snack may look harmless, but watch out – it packs quite a punch!

Some people can’t get enough, whereas others can’t handle them at all. 

While these spicy peas are wildly addictive, if you get too many at once, you’ll feel a rush of heat from your nose to the back of your head.

I like to serve these in a mixed bowl with pretzels and nuts to help calm them down. Just be sure to warn people that they’re there!

5. Grilled Salmon Fillets with Wasabi & Lemon Cream Sauce

If you want something light for dinner, you can’t go wrong with these grilled salmon fillets with wasabi and lemon cream sauce.

Wow, what a mouthful!

But don’t be intimidated by its long name. This dish comes together very quickly, and the ingredients are all pretty common (aside from the wasabi, of course).

6. Wasabi Ginger Grilled Chicken

Time to fire up the barbie because we’re making wasabi and ginger grilled chicken.

The marinade doubles as the sauce, so you’ll really taste the blend of wasabi, soy sauce, honey, and ginger in this dish.

And since the grill is already running, why not throw on some corn for good measure? The sweet crunch will balance out the heat beautifully. 

7. Ginger Wasabi Edamame Hummus  

If you like hummus and spicy food, I bet you’ll enjoy this recipe. Here, the classic dip gets extra flavor from ginger and wasabi.

With these two spices in the mix, the heat is definitely on!

There’s a hint of green from the edamame, along with a pleasant but subtle flavor.

I like to keep this pretty thick, but you can easily adjust the consistency.

8. Shrimp Cocktail Sauce

Give classic shrimp cocktail sauce a wasabi makeover with this fun recipe! 

I love-love-love how the wasabi complements the rest of the ingredients rather than just overpowering it all. 

Sweet and tangy with a touch of zing, this sauce isn’t just great with shrimp! I like it with other seafood and even meat entrees as well.

9. Beets & Wasabi Hummus

I can’t get over how pretty this pink hummus is! Of course, we have mashed beets to thank for its gorgeous hue.

And did I mention? It’s delicious, too. 

Aside from the beets, this hummus has such a unique taste from wasabi. 

The green paste steps up the heat, but don’t worry; it won’t be too overwhelming. It’s just enough to clear your sinuses.

10. Sushi Salad with Wasabi Soy Dressing 

I know what you’re thinking, and, yes, sushi salad does sound a little odd.

But please trust me, you have to try it. It’s so tasty and very filling.

Tossed with the usual sushi suspects – smoked salmon, cucumber, nori, pickled ginger, and a sensational wasabi soy dressing – it’s one of a kind.

11. Wasabi and Cucumber Ice Cream 

When I first saw “wasabi ice cream” on the menu at a local Japanese restaurant, I didn’t know how to feel about it. 

I mean, wasabi in dessert? Sure, that soft green color is pretty, but how on earth is that supposed to taste good? 

But folks, it was love at first bite (or is it lick?). 

And here, the addition of coconut and cucumber gives the ice cream an even more delightful flavor.

It’s so insanely refreshing, just a little sweet, and has a beautiful hint of heat from the wasabi. Yum!

12. Wasabi Dressing and Watercress Salad with Cucumber 

Watercress has a bitter and slightly peppery flavor profile, so you wouldn’t think to pair it with wasabi to dial down the heat. 

Surprisingly, though, the odd combination works!

The two ingredients sort of balance each other out, resulting in a pleasant, savory salad that makes for an excellent appetizer.

13. Wasabi Pea Crusted Salmon with Orange Broccoli

Next up, we’ve got two dishes in one recipe.

Dish number one is a delicious roasted salmon with a crunchy mixture of crushed-up wasabi peas and sesame oil on top. 

Don’t crush the peas too finely – you still want a few bits here and there for texture.

Dish number two is a delectable side of sauteed broccoli flavored with orange juice and zest. 

Together, the two create one satisfying and nutritious meal. 

14. Wasabi Egg Salad

Who doesn’t love classic egg salad? Besides the nostalgia, this creamy mix of chopped-up hard-boiled eggs and mayonnaise always hits the spot.

Here the beloved dish gets a hot makeover with none other than today’s special ingredient.

The wasabi takes the already delicious dish up a notch with its distinct spice profile.

This salad tastes fantastic as it is, but I particularly love it in sandwiches with sliced pickles for crunch! 

15. Grilled Tuna Steak Salad with Wasabi Vinaigrette {Yellowfin Tuna Recipe}

This grilled tuna salad is as sophisticated as salads can get. 

With fat cubes of seared yellowfin tuna, cucumber, avocado, scallions, and a zippy wasabi vinaigrette, this is one dish you won’t soon forget.

It’s like eating your favorite kind of sushi, but in deconstructed form and minus the rice and nori.

16. Lemongrass & Wasabi Asian Style Chicken Nuggets

These chicken nuggets are marinated in a mix of soy sauce, sugar, lemongrass, and wasabi before they’re breaded and fried to perfection.

Even without the breading, these chicken cutlets are overloaded with flavor!

Grill them like that, and you’ll be thrilled. But if you like crunch, you’ll want to bread these babies and fry them until they’re golden.

17. Vegetable Sushi With Wasabi Mayonnaise 

Since this is a list of wasabi recipes, I had to include a recipe for sushi. The pair go hand in hand, after all!

And while I love salmon and tuna, I also won’t say no to this colorful vegetarian sushi. 

With carrots, cucumber, avocado, and creamy wasabi mayo, this may be meat-free, but it’s beyond flavorful.

18. Wasabi-Almond Crusted Chicken Tenders

There’s breaded chicken tenders; then there’s wasabi-almond crusted chicken tenders.

This recipe brings the classic dish to a whole new level of deliciousness.

The chicken strips are coated in wasabi and soy sauce almonds, making them spicy, salty, and nutty all at once.

Serve them with sriracha ketchup for one of the world’s most epic appetizers.

19. Tuna and Avocado Salad with Wasabi Mayonnaise

This is a healthier and more refreshing version of the humble tuna salad. And OMG, it’s to die for.

Canned tuna, lettuce, avocado cubes, and radish sprouts are tossed with a creamy and spicy dressing of mayo, olive oil, and wasabi. 

Look, flavor, and texture: this salad is a winner in all three departments.

20. Miso Soup With Wasabi Roasted Lentils 

Miso soups usually have clear broths, but this one has a green, creamy base made of spinach and parsley.

Topped with wasabi-coated, roasted lentils and radish slices, it’s delish and rich in fiber and probiotics. 

It’s a nutritious and delicious soup ideal for nourishing your digestive system.

21. Spring Pea Wasabi Soup

Here’s another green-tinged soup to make your tastebuds jump.

It’s pretty to look at, but more than that, it’s incredibly delicious.

Between the puree of peas, jicama, onions, garlic, ginger, lime, and wasabi, this soup is packed with a variety of flavors that you’ll love.

22. Pickled Ginger Salad with Citrus and Wasabi Dressing

What do you get when you turn pickled ginger and wasabi into a salad?

A ridiculously refreshing appetizer, that’s what.

This salad is filled with oranges, grapefruit, and avocado, so expect nothing less of an explosion of colors and flavors.

Oh, and expect bits of crispy and crunchy rice in there, too, for added texture.

Mint leaves and pickled ginger enhance the flavors of the fruit medley. And the wasabi dressing ties them all together with a subtle hint of spice. 

23. Asian-Inspired Tuna Burger With Wasabi Mayo

Skip the beef and try this amazing tuna burger instead!

The meaty, fatty, and juicy fish is the perfect seafood alternative to the classic ground beef patty.

Aside from the mouthwatering tuna, this burger also features a sensational wasabi mayo. It’s scrumdiddlyumptious!

24. Wasabi Chicken Meatballs

These chicken meatballs are tender, juicy, and bursting with flavorful. And the spice of wasabi is the cherry on top.

Top-tip: The recipe suggests you serve these meatballs with plain old mayo, but I say you take it up a notch and serve it with wasabi mayo.

After all, there’s no such thing as too much of a good thing!

25. Wasabi Aioli

You’ve likely eaten aioli before, but have you ever made it yourself?

It’s a mix of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and egg yolk whisked together to create creamy-garlicky mayo.

This recipe calls for just pre-made mayo, wasabi powder, and soy sauce, making it much faster to prep.

I like to add a few cloves of garlic too, so you keep that signature aioli taste. But it’s not mandatory, and this is super yummy without it.

26. Japanese Wasabi Shrimp Spaghetti

This Japanese-inspired pasta dish is filled with sake-infused shrimp and tossed in an umami-rich sauce that’s got a wonderful spicy kick. 

If you’re tired of the usual marinara, bechamel, and pesto pasta sauces, this one is definitely a must-try.

It’s pretty simple sauce, but the flavors are on point.

27. Pea and Wasabi Dip

Ever used peas to make a dip? No? Well, you’re in for a treat!

You’ll mix pureed peas with Greek yogurt, crushed garlic, chopped mint, and wasabi.

It’s creamy and refreshing with a mild heat and a strong garlic flavor. The mint also gives the dip a pleasant cooling sensation. 

28. Root Vegetable Salad with Wasabi Mayonnaise

In this recipe, wasabi mayo is used as a zingy dressing for this colorful salad. 

This salad consists of carrots, cucumber, and burdock, which is a Japanese root crop that can now also be grown here in the US. 

Coated with wasabi mayo, the root veggie get a nice creamy flavor.

29. Wasabi Noodles

If you’re not a fan of hot ramen, may I suggest these cold soba noodles?

Together with cucumber, sesame seeds, and a wasabi dressing, this dish will take you to noodle heaven.

The dressing is made of wasabi, honey, sesame oil, soy sauce, and lime juice, so the flavors are absolutely unique.

30. Wasabi Seared Tuna

It’s perfectly cooked tuna on the outside, and raw and pink sashimi on the inside. Talk about the best of both worlds.

What’s more, the tuna is crusted with crushed wasabi peas, giving it a crunchy and spicy exterior. 

Completing the dish is a delectable dipping sauce made of soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, and pepper flakes.