Home » Recipes » Recipe Roundup » 20+ Best Radish Recipes (+ Produce Guide)
by Marcie //March 27, 2019 (updated 2/23/23)
This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using our links. Please see my privacy policy for more details.
Celebrate radish season with over 20 of the best radish recipes! Post includes an informative produce guide, along with recipes including radish slaw, pickled radishes, roasted radishes and more!
Spring has sprung, rainy or not, and I couldn’t be happier. Did winter feel like it was 6 months long or what???
When spring comes, I’m attracted to all the green foods. Asparagus, peas, fava beans and leafy greens are favorites of mine, but I can never forget about radish!
I wanted to publish this radish produce guide weeks ago, but I was holding off until I could find more of a variety for my photographs. I had no luck, so I just picked up the prettiest bunches of red radishes that I could find and rolled with it.
They ended up being quite photogenic in the end. 🙂
What are radishes?
Radishes are globe-shaped, pungent tasting edible root vegetables in the Brassica family, which also includes broccoli, kale, cabbage, mustard greens, cauliflower and turnips.
They’re also related to wasabi and horseradish. Radishes come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors, and are mostly consumed raw.
While there isn’t a lot of archeological records available on radishes to help determine their early history, Southeast Asia is thought to be their origin as many wild varieties have been discovered there.
Radishes became domesticated in Europe in the 1500’s, and hit the United States in the early 1600’s.
What are the types of radishes?
There are basically 4 different varieties of radishes, which are categorized based on the season that they’re grown in.
The most common varieties of radishes are the Cherry Belle (pictured in this post), Sparkler (bright red with white tip), White Beauty (white in color), French Breakfast (small oblong, red with a white bottom), White Icicle (5-8″ in length), Daikon (huge white radishes almost as large as parsnip), and Fire and Ice (half red and half white).
Unique varieties of radishes include Easter egg radishes and my personal favorite — watermelon radishes.
What do radishes taste like?
Radishes are crisp and crunchy with a pungent, peppery flavor. There are varying degrees of “spiciness” based on when they’re grown, as well as actual size of the radish. Larger radishes are typically spicier, and radishes grown in hotter temperatures are normally spicier as well.
The interesting part about the taste of radishes is that they’re not peppery until you bite into them. The peppery flavor is caused by glucosinolates and an enzyme called mirosinase, which are combined during the chewing process. Chewing forms allyl isothiocyanates, which is also present in horseradish and wasabi.
Hey, I learned something new here!
Are radish greens edible?
Can you eat radish greens? Yes! Radish greens are edible, so don’t throw those out! They’re very tender with a mild bitter flavor. There are a number of ways to utilize radish greens in recipes, including soups, salads, pastas, pesto sauce, smoothies and sautés!
Are radishes good for you?
There are a number of reasons why radishes are a great addition to your diet. For starters, they’re rich in Vitamin C, potassium, calcium and sodium. They also contain Vitamins A, K and B6, as well as thiamin, niacin, folate, phosphate, iron magnesium and zinc.
Radishes are very low in calories, carbohydrates and contain zero fat. They’re also 95% water, so they make you feel full faster and keep you hydrated!
They also aid digestion, urinary disorders, have a low glycemic index, and can help lower blood pressure, protect kidneys, and boost immunity. For more information, read here.
Note — the radish greens are the most nutritious part of the plant!
How to grow radishes
One of the first things that I planted in my garden when I started it was radishes. I was told that they have a high success rate and a quick return, and it was true. Normally when I plant from seed I don’t always see great results, but radishes always come through.
I’ve grown many varieties, including watermelon, Easter egg, french breakfast radish and cherry belle, and have never had bad luck.
I have (2) raised beds filled with soil, and I typically start planting my radish seeds in October. I stagger the planting to extend the growing season, for example — the first week in October I’ll plant some seeds, then 1-2 weeks later I’ll plant more, etc.
Grow radishes in full sun and plant seeds 1″ deep for small radishes or 1.5″ deep for larger varieties. Many radish varieties mature in only 3-4 weeks, and the longest up to 6-7 weeks.
Radishes make great companion plants as their pungent odor deters insects such as aphids, ants, cucumber beetles, etc. They’re also great for luring pests away from the main crop.
Radishes are used as a cover crop, especially in organic farming for their deep rooting, which helps prepare the ground for planting every spring. The plants also help suppress weeds, and takes up nitrogen from the ground, which benefits water quality.
Choosing and storing
Choose bright, unblemished radishes with healthy looking greens. Once you get them home, cut the greens off just above the top of the radish so prevent the radish from becoming soft.
Wash the greens thoroughly before use in radish green recipes, or chop and place in a zip top bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Radishes should be stored in the crisper and used within 5 days.
Can you freeze radishes?
Yes, wash them thoroughly before slicing and blanching them in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes. Immediately submerge in ice water, then pat dry and seal inside a freezer bag.
How to prepare radishes
There are so many ways to prepare radishes! If you eat them raw, try them in salads, slaws, sandwiches or as a topping for tacos and soups.
Have you ever tried a pickled radish recipe? I just recently tried it and I’m hooked! I don’t know if I’ll ever eat a regular pickle over them again. 🙂
Can you cook radishes?
Yes! Radishes are also wonderful cooked. Try them sautéed or roasted!
If you love produce, be sure to check out the following recipe round ups:
- Butternut squash recipes
- Cabbage recipes
- Carrot recipes
- Chicory recipes
- Corn recipes
- Cranberry recipes
- Delicata squash recipes
- Leek recipes
- Fava bean recipes
- Fennel recipes
- Fig recipes
- Kabocha squash recipes
- Persimmon recipes
- Poblano pepper recipes
- Pomegranate recipes
- Rhubarb recipes
- Tomatillo recipes
- Shish*to pepper recipes
- Swiss chard recipes
20+ best radish recipes
Not sure what to do with radishes? Look no further! Below are 20+ of the best radish recipes.
Radishes can be used in slaws, sandwiches, salads, wraps, and so much more. Check out the recipes below for lots of inspiration.
Apple Radish Slaw with Honey Lime Vinaigrette
Tart apples, crunchy radishes, and a sweet and spicy vinaigrette all come together to create a healthy and refreshing slaw recipe perfect for BBQ season.
Cabbage Radish and Apple Coleslaw
This is such a light and refreshing side dish! There is no mayo in the cole slaw dressing, which makes it perfect to bring to hot summer barbecues and potlucks! Cabbage, granny smith apple and radish make it crunchy and the dressing is light and sweet!
Fennel and Radish Citrus Salad
Move a few simple side ingredients front and center to create this fresh and easy fennel, radish and citrus salad. This recipe is Paleo, gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and Whole30 friendly.
Green Goddess Salad
Green Goddess Salad recipe is jam-packed with fresh vegetables, rotisserie chicken and an amazing homemade green goddess salad dressing.
Lentil, Avocado, and Radish Salad
Toothsome lentils, crunchy spicy paper-thin radishes, sweet fresh mint, and creamy avocado—tumble them all together in a bold citrusy dressing for this lentil, avocado, and radish salad.
Mexican Meatballs (Albondigas)
Mexican Meatballs – or Albondigas – simmer in enchilada sauce and are topped with sour cream, radishes & cilantro. Serve them taco-style in tortillas or as an appetizer with toothpicks.
Quick Fridge Pickled Vegetables
Quick Fridge Pickled Vegetables make the ultimate topping for tacos, burgers, and more! Featuring a blend of carrots, cucumber, radish, and onion, this healthy recipe is fast and flavorful!
Radish, Avocado and Egg Mayonnaise Sandwich
Jazz up lunch with this radish, avocado and egg mayonnaise sandwich!
Radish Rose Tea Sandwiches
Bite-sized, open-faced, and decorated with a radish rose, these gorgeous tea sandwiches are perfect for tea time and for bridal and baby showers.
Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe with Horseradish Cream
Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe with Horseradish Cream is absolutely loaded up with flavor, from the thinly sliced roast beef to the roasted potatoes, to the horseradish cream, if you want delicious, then this is the sandwich for you.
Roasted Radishes
Not a radish fan? Try roasted radishes instead! Roasting mellows the flavor and it’s a great low carb side dish!
Roasted Radishes with Soy Sauce & Sesame Seeds
Radishes are surprisingly sweet when they’re cooked and these Roasted Radishes are delicious, with soy sauce and sesame seeds adding extra layers of flavor. And these are so great for anyone who’s watching carbs.
Sauteed Radishes with Vinegar and Herbs
Sauteed Radishes with Vinegar and Herbs are absolutely delish for a quick and tasty low-carb side dish. If you’ve never tried cooking radishes you may be surprised how sweet-tasting they are!
Shaved Apple and Radish Salad
The pastel shades of this Shaved Apple and Radish Salad just scream spring — it’s perfect for a Mother’s Day or Easter brunch.
Shrimp Tacos
These are not your average Shrimp Tacos! Imagine lightly charred corn tortillas cradling tender shrimp with a crisp salt and pepper crust, topped with crunchy cabbage and radish slaw then finished with creamy spicy shrimp taco sauce, a scatter of fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.
Sticky Five Spice Chicken with Carrot Radish Slaw
A simply dressed carrot and radish slaw is the perfect accompaniment to the sweet and sticky chicken in this Sticky Five Spice Chicken with Carrot Radish Slaw.
Spring Arugula Salad with Shaved Asparagus, Radish and Peas
Spring Arugula Salad with Shaved Asparagus, Radish and Peas is a vibrant vegan salad tossed in a homemade lemon vinaigrette!
Get the Recipe
Spring Pea and Radish Risotto
Citrus infused creamy arborio rice is tossed with fresh spring peas and Meyer lemon dijon roasted radishes. Topped with crumbly bacon and freshly grated parmesan, this is pea and radish risotto is spring comfort food at its best!
Steak Tacos with Radish-Cilantro Salsa
Mouthwatering tacos in under 20 minutes!! These Flank Steak Tacos with Radish- Cilantro Salsa are a huge family-friendly meal!
Refrigerator Sweet Pickled Radishes
Sweet Pickled Radish recipe is a quick pickled radish recipe that you can enjoy on your favorite salads, sandwiches and more.
Ultimate Veggie Sandwich with Lemon Herb Cream Cheese
Ultimate Veggie Sandwich with Lemon Herb Cream Cheese iswhole grain bread with a flavorful cream cheese spread piled high with fresh veggies. It’s adelicious lunch that you can feel good about!
Get the Recipe
Whole30 Carrot Slaw
This vegan Whole30 Carrot Slaw is quick, easy, and full of flavor! Mayo-free with no sweeteners added, it’s a light and healthy paleo option and great with everything!
Butter Lettuce Salad with Lemon Dijon Dressing
Butter Lettuce Salad is tender butter lettuce, creamy avocado and crisp radish tossed in a tangy lemon dijon dressing. It's clean eating at its best!
Get the Recipe
Sources:
posted in: Produce Guides, Recipe Roundup, Recipes, Spring // 14 comments
Get new recipes in your inbox each week!
« Previous PostRoasted Carrots and Parsnips
Next Post »Easy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
-
Kalyn Denny — Reply
Thanks for including my recipes! I am a big fan of radishes.
-
flavorthemoments — Reply
You’re welcome Kaleyn! I am too, and I can’t wait to try your recipes. 🙂
-
-
Marissa — Reply
What a thorough and interesting guide to radishes! They’re so versatile and I’m happy to learn that the greens are edible too! Thanks so much for including my shrimp tacos – next time I make them I’ll be adding extra radishes!! 🙂
-
flavorthemoments — Reply
Thank you Marissa, and I can’t wait to try your tacos!
-
-
Karen (Back Road Journal) — Reply
It seems that most people only think of radishes as a garnish in a salad. I had them sautéed in Germany and they were delicious.
-
flavorthemoments — Reply
It’s true! I’d love to try them sautéed…I’ve only had them roasted.
-
-
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness — Reply
You’re such a badass gardener.. I feel like you’ve grown such a variety of produce in your garden! I just started using radishes more in probably the last 2 years but I still don’t use them a ton. I’ll have to try out a few of these recipes!
Wanna laugh? I’m pregnant and have this baby app that tells you different stats every week. Last week it said my fetus was the size of an avocado, and then this week it said the size of a radish and I was like, “Wait what, is sounds like she’s shrinking!” But I suppose they’re referring to one of the 5-8″ varieties! 🙂
-
flavorthemoments — Reply
I’m no badass, I’m just totally winging it! I have my share of failures, and I’m learning all the time. 🙂 That is hilarious too — I would think that an avocado is bigger than a radish! 🙂
-
-
Letty / Letty's Kitchen — Reply
Your produce guides are so informative and I love the mix of recipes. I always try to pick the radishes with greens, you know, 2 veggies for the price of one! Thank you for including my Lentil, Avocado and Radish Salad!
-
flavorthemoments — Reply
Ah, thanks Letty! I just love the looks of your recipe and I can’t wait to try it!
-
-
Katherine | Love In My Oven — Reply
You did amazing with the photos! I know what you mean, sometimes it’s so hard to photograph certain things.
I have been eating a ton of radishes lately, so it’s great to hear about all of their health benefits! Another great produce guide, Marcie!-
flavorthemoments — Reply
Thank you for the kind words Katherine, and I’m glad you love radishes as much as I do!
-
-
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking — Reply
Beautiful photos Marcie! I had no idea there were so many varieties of radishes. Watermelon radishes are always so pretty in photos, but I haven’t been able to find them around here. Thanks for the great round up of recipes. Definitely need to give a few of them a try!
-
flavorthemoments — Reply
Thank you so much Leanne! And yes, there are so many great radish varieties to love. 🙂
-