Radishes are an easy-to-grow root vegetable with a fiery flavor that can be tamed with a little effort. Whether you enjoy your radishes fresh from the garden or roasted and mellow I’ve got a radish recipe for you to try!
Before you get ready to cook up a radish or two there is one thing to keep in mind. There are many varieties of radishes and they can all be broken down into two categories.
Spring radishes are small and quick growing, popular varieties include the elongated French breakfast radish, the cheerful red cherry belle radish, and the multicolored Easter egg radish. They’re a quick garden crop, ready to harvest in about a month.
They’re a popular spring vegetable because they don’t mind the cold and they make a great garden filler with their quick turnaround from seed to plate. Spring radishes can be grown all season long but they will struggle in the heat.
Learn more about Growing Radishes and 5 Reasons you Need them in your Garden
They’re best when they’re grown quickly and harvested small. Too much stress from lack of water or too much heat will lead to really hot radishes with an unappealing texture. Spring radishes left in the ground too long with also have texture issues and may even bolt or go to seed.
The other category is the winter radishes. This group includes the super-popular Daikon radish, the adorable watermelon radish and the intriguing black Spanish radish.
Despite the name, these radishes are not planted in the winter. Instead, they are planted in the summer or early fall.
They take about 60 days from seed to harvest. Winter radishes take instructions from the sun and a shortening day length is what triggers them to produce the large roots we know and love.
Spring and winter radishes can be used interchangeably in most recipes, just keep in mind the differences in size and the strength of the bite.
Along with the roots, the greens from both spring and winter radishes are edible and can be used in salads or blitzed into a pesto.
Radish Recipes
Radishes are an underappreciated wonder in the garden. The entire plant is edible, from the root to the greens and even the flowers and flower buds. Enjoy them raw or cooked fresh from the garden or farmers market.
Spring Radish Recipes
Spring radishes are usually sold in bunches with the greens attached. This group includes the ubiquitous round red radish along with snowy white icicle radishes, multi-colored Easter egg radishes, and pretty French breakfast radishes. They can all be used interchangeably in recipes.
Toss slices of cucumber and spring radish in a garlicky yogurt and sour cream dressing for a quick & delicious salad
This simple sweet corn and radish salad is flavored with a smokey lime and cumin dressing perfect for a summer BBQ or picnic
Top a toasted bagel thin with cream cheese, thinly sliced radishes, and dill for a fancy breakfast that's actually super simple
All you need is a food processor and a few simple ingredients to turn a bunch of radishes into a delicious fresh salsa
Thinly sliced radishes on bread with a thick layer of butter has been a classic dish for a long time, skip the slicing and make this radish butter for the same flavor with a faction of the work
Roasting radishes is a classic way to tone down the peppery bite, this recipe adds in rosemary and lemon for extra flavor
Another variation on roasted radishes, this one coats them in a decadent bacon and cream sauce. Let's be honest, what's not better with bacon?
Paper-thin slices of radish are perfect for pickling, add in as much spice and you like or keep them on the sweet side
Daikon & Winter Radishes
No need to wait with this recipe for quick pickled daikon! You can enjoy these crunchy pickles in as little as two hours
Julienned carrots and watermelon radishes tossed in a maple ginger vinaigrette make this bright and colorful dish perfect for the winter months
Perfect for a snack or side dish, this recipe for daikon radish "French fries' tossed in Asian spices and roasted until caramelized is sure to be a crows pleaser!
Fresh Daikon radish makes a delicious addition to this classic cole slaw recipe
Radish Greens
Swap out the traditional basil for fresh radish greens in this easy pesto recipe perfect for pasta, meat or potatoes
Combine fresh radish greens, roasted red peppers, and garlic in a food processor for a quick & delicious sauce perfect for chicken or steak
Check out my Recipes page for more ideas or start here:
