25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (2024)

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (1)

While it might not be the first root vegetable that you think of when spring comes, and we’re all about all the more classic options (seriously, we LOVE potatoes), we’d love to shine some light on an oft overlooked option—the humble radish. Spicy when raw, mild when roasted, radishes add color and crunch to every recipe they’re in. TikTok is even questioning if radishes are the new cauliflower? We’re not sure we’d take it that far, but they are pretty impressive—check out our 25 radish recipes for ideas on what to do with these unappreciated beauties.

What do we mean when we say radish? The number of different varieties is nearly endless, but the most common are red radishes (red/pink skin, white on the inside—also known as table radishes), watermelon radish (light green on the outside, brilliantly hot pink or purple on the inside), daikon radish (long, usually white Asian radishes), French breakfast radishes (similar to red radish, but extra long and spicy), and Easter radishes (technically multiple types sold in a colorful red, pink, purple, and white bunch). They can largely be used interchangeably, though there are definitely applications that do better with one or another.

You’ll often see radishes on top of Mexican food like tacos or alongside a veggie dip as crudité, and if you’re new to them, we definitely recommend slicing up some red ones and trying them as a garnish. They can add a lovely bite and crunch to almost anything, and will take your presentation to the next level. Check out our brown butter radish crostini or our bacon pea salad to see what we mean—we could have added a number of other vegetables instead, but we love the pop of pink and earthy spice radishes bring to the plate. Want to branch out further? You’ve gotta try daikon radishes. You may have already encountered them without even knowing—they’re a staple in recipes like Korean kimchi and Vietnamese bánh mì, and are great pickled. Check out our pickled daikon (we add turmeric to ours to make it a delightful yellow) or our beet-pickled pickles (beets turn them a gorgeous bright pink). If the mild spice of all these is a turn off, don’t worry—try cooking them instead! When sautéed or roasted, they become incredibly sweet and tender, without losing their color or crunch. Check out our or our one-pan crispy chicken primavera or our grilled swordfish with hazelnut miso sauce recipes to see how they can elevate a dish.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, horseradish (a staple in Bloody Marys and shrimp co*cktail sauce) is not a radish. The more you know!

Want more spring produce inspiration? Check out our favorite rhubarb recipes, asparagus recipes, and strawberry desserts too.

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1

Kimchi

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (3)

Kimchi is a broad name for a type of Korean banchan—or, side dish—that is served alongside most meals in Korea. This version features napa cabbage and daikon radish, two ingredients commonly found in kimchi in US and International supermarkets. Serve kimchi alongside bibimbap, stir it into fried rice, or fold it into creamy pasta.

Get the Kimchi recipe.

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2

Fennel Salad With Apples & Radishes

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (5)

When you're looking for a side dish that tastes extremely fresh even in the depth of winter, look no further than fennel salad. It’s crunchy, slightly sweet, and perfectly light and refreshing.

Get the .

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3

One-Pan Crispy Chicken Primavera

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (7)

Just when you thought pasta primavera was the king of spring comfort food, we’re dropping this one-pan chicken primavera. Crispy-skinned chicken thighs are roasted alongside spring veggies and topped with a confetti of goat cheese and herbs for a dinner that captures the promise of warmer days while bringing the cozy vibes we crave.

Get the One-Pan Crispy Chicken Primavera recipe.

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4

Shrimp Tacos

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (9)

Shrimp tacos are easy, fast, and the perfect canvas for showcasing all the best parts of the handheld favorite. Pan-seared shrimp get seasoned with homemade taco seasoning and drizzled with lime juice, then piled into a charred corn tortilla with crisp cabbage slaw and topped with jalapeno-garlic crema and thinly sliced radishes.

Get the Shrimp Tacos recipe.

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5

Sinigang

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (11)

Sinigang is classic one-pot Filipino stew, perfect for weeknight meals. Sinigang has a trademark sour-yet-savory taste, which comes from tamarind, a tree fruit that has a texture similar to dates. Keep a slab of tamarind paste or jar of tamarind concentrate in your fridge for impromptu batches of sinigang or for a delicious tamarind dipping sauce.

Get the Sinigang recipe.

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6

Spring Cobb Salad

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (13)

Everyone’s favorite cobb salad just got a spring-y makeover! This lightened-up version has lots of crunchy in-season veggies and a creamy lemon-dill dressing spiked with raw garlic. A smattering of croutons add texture, and a healthy serving of eggs and avocado make this salad hearty enough to be dinner.

Get the Spring Cobb Salad recipe.

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7

Bánh Mì

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (15)

It's undeniable. A Vietnamese bánh mì is the PERFECT sandwich. Rich, savory meat combined with bright and crunchy homemade pickled daikon and carrots stuffed into a fluffy baguette; what's not to love?! We're extra into this version because it requires minimal ingredients but still packs a powerful punch of flavor.

Get the Bánh Mì recipe.

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8

Brown Butter Radish Crostini

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (17)

As is customary in France, we went the butter and salt route for these crostini, but took it a step further. Cue sweet, caramelized brown butter, whipped into an unctuous cloud: the perfect foil for paper-thin radish rounds. Finish them with some flaky sea salt, a sprinkling of thyme, and a hit of fresh lemon juice.

Get the Brown Butter Radish Crostini recipe.

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9

Fauxtato Chips

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (19)

Craving chips, but avoiding potatoes? We get it. Try these crispy, salty, light-as-air radish version that are a million times better than the carb-y alternative. Try them dipped in homemade ranch dressing or garlic hummus—we bet you won't even miss the potato!

Get the Fauxtato Chips recipe.

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10

Bacon Pea Salad

Mayo-heavy salads are great in their own right, but we decided to lighten things up a bit for this extra springy version. This one is fresh and crunchy—thanks to radishes and red cabbage—and has a bacon vinaigrette you might just be tempted to pour over everything.

Get the Bacon Pea Salad recipe.

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11

Grilled Swordfish With Hazelnut Miso Sauce

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (23)

These swordfish steaks, shallots, and radishes are simply seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper. After a quick-ish grill, they are dressed with a nutty, salty, sweet, and umami-packed hazelnut miso sauce that will blow your mind.

Get the Grilled Swordfish With Hazelnut Miso Sauce recipe.

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12

Kimchi Tofu Stew

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (25)

This vegetarian soup is both spicy and savory, thanks to a hefty dollop of gochujang (a fermented chili paste) and a mixture of fresh ginger, garlic, scallions, and sliced red radishes.

Get the Kimchi Tofu Stew recipe.

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13

Pickled Daikon

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (27)

Known as danmuji in Korean cuisine, pickled radish is a sweet, salty, crispy affair. It can be served as a part of small side dishes known as banchan, or used in staple recipes like kimbap. Traditional danmuji is dyed yellow by gardenia fruit, but in a pinch, dried or fresh turmeric can give your radish pickles a bright golden pop too.

Get the Pickled Daikon recipe.

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14

Bánh Mì Kebabs

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (29)

A classic bánh mì is one of the world's great sandwiches. An ideal way to get that classic taste? With these kebabs! Par-cooked carrots and slightly sweet daikon radish grill up nicely with thick pieces of pork chop. And they're perfectly matched with a straightforward combo of fish sauce, soy sauce, and honey.

Get the Bánh Mì Kebabs recipe.

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15

Beet-Pickled Pickles

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (31)

Crunchy, slightly sweet, and seeded with fennel, caraway, and coriander, these radish, carrot, and onion pickles are gorgeously pink and deliciously simple. Truly, they're the perfect topping to add a little pop of color and flavor to any meal.

Get the Beet-Pickled Pickles recipe.

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16

Tofu Bánh Mì

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (33)

Though a traditional bánh mì features Vietnamese-style pork cold cuts, you can get creative with your sandwich fillings. As long as you've got the classic pickled daikon and carrots, cilantro, mayo, and a fluffy baguette, you can go with whatever protein you like, like tofu!

Get the Tofu Bánh Mì recipe.

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17

Garden Greens & Pumpernickel Panzanella

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (35)

Toasted bread, watermelon radishes, and a zesty mustard dressing bring this summer panzanella to another level.

Get the Garden Greens and Pumpernickel Panzanella recipe from Good Housekeeping.

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18

Sliced Radish & Radish Leaf Toasts With Lemon Butter

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (37)

Radish leaves add a bright hue and lend a spicy punch to these bite-sized crostini that make the best addition to any spring party.

Get the Sliced Radish & Radish Leaf Toasts With Lemon Butter recipe from Country Living.

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19

Radish & Celery Salad With Lemon-Tarragon Dressing

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (39)

Fresh radishes and a simple tart-sweet dressing make this spring salad sing. You can make the dressing and salad up to 1 day ahead, but don’t toss together until just before serving.

Get the Radish & Celery Salad With Lemon-Tarragon Dressing from Country Living.

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20

Spring Salad With Radishes

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (41)

This simple spring salad recipe is bursting with fresh seasonal flavor. Feel free to add even more veggies—asparagus or carrots would be lovely too.

Get the Spring Salad With Radishes recipe from The Pioneer Woman.

25 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (2024)

FAQs

Are radishes better raw or cooked? ›

Raw radishes have a kick. I happen to like that subtle spicy burn, but if you don't (or if you just want a different radish vibe), there's an easy work-around: Cook your radishes. Cooking radishes is a simple way to mute their bark and enhance their sweetness.

What is the best way to eat radishes? ›

Cute, crunchy and peppery, radishes are a pretty addition to any plate. They're best eaten raw, and can be easily sliced into salads and sandwiches, or enjoyed whole and dipped into houmous for a healthy snack. The young leaves are delicious in salads or cooked in the same way as spinach.

What can I do with too many radishes? ›

Finely diced radishes mixed with red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime make a peppery and crunchy salsa, a nice addition to any taco. Radishes can also be roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper at 450ºF for 15 to 20 minutes or until caramelized and tender.

What is the best radish to eat raw? ›

Watermelon Radish

This radish variety offers a subtly sweet flavor, with a slight peppery zing. It can be enjoyed raw, pickled, or cooked, making it a versatile ingredient.

Do you peel radishes before eating raw? ›

Radishes do not have to be peeled; just wash and cut off the tops and root ends. You can use them sliced, diced, shredded, or whole.

Why do you soak radishes? ›

Peel The compound responsible for the spiciness is on the outer skin of the radish and you can remove it with a vegetable peeler. You can also soak them in ice water for an hour to tone down the heat.

Which part of radish is not edible? ›

It is a root vegetable; but has a much more distinct peppery taste compared to turnips or beets. Radishes are related to mustard seeds. All parts of a radish—the bulbs, seeds, and leaf tops—are edible.

How many radishes per day should I eat? ›

Since the leaves appear to help lower blood pressure, eating too many of them might make your blood pressure too low if it is currently normal. While it's unclear what constitutes "too many," it's safest to stick to one serving of radishes per day, which the USDA considers a half-cup.

Why do Mexicans eat radishes with their food? ›

Radishes add a refreshing, crunchy contrast to dense, savory dishes; for that reason, they're used as a garnish in many Mexican dishes. You can find them raw and thinly sliced on top of enchiladas, tacos, and pozole. They also add a beautiful pop of color to these dishes.

Why can't you eat radish and cucumber together? ›

But do you know that cucumber and radish should not be eaten together because cucumber contains ascorbate, which acts to absorb vitamin C? For this reason, cucumber and radish should not be eaten together.

What should you not eat after eating radishes? ›

Avoid consuming milk immediately after eating radish because radish generates warmth in the body, and combining it with milk may lead to issues like heartburn, acid reflux, and stomach pain. It is recommended to wait at least two hours between consuming milk and radish.

Can I freeze radishes for later use? ›

Freezing radishes is an easy process. Simply blanch the radish slices briefly in boiling water then run them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let them drain, then place in a labelled bag and put them in the freezer.

What is the tastiest radish? ›

  • 'French Breakfast' 'French Breakfast' is a popular old variety with crisp, crunchy, cylindrical roots with a strong, peppery flavour.
  • 'Ilka' 'Ilka' is a Russian heirloom variety that can grow to a diameter of 7.5cm without becoming pithy.
  • 'Mirabeau' ...
  • 'Stela' ...
  • 'Plum Purple' ...
  • 'Rougette' ...
  • 'Scarlet Globe' ...
  • 'Tarzan'

Why do I crave raw radishes? ›

Cravings like yours can be a consequence of an iron or zinc deficiency, and the doctor can check if you are deficient in these nutrients. We have heard from other people who craved carrots, tomatoes, popcorn or orange peels to an unusual extent, just as you do with radishes.

What are the side effects of raw radishes? ›

But consumption of too much radish will lead excess loss of water from our body and may lead to dehydration. Excess radish consumption may also lead to low blood pressure and also cause hypoglycemia. People with gallstones and pregnant women should also abstain from eating this vegetable.

Does cooking radish destroy nutrients? ›

It is thought that these antioxidant substances may slow or stop the growth of several different types of cancer, possibly by prompting the body to make higher levels of detoxifying enzymes. Since we generally eat radishes raw, we benefit from this nutritional benefit as these compounds are depleted by cooking.

Do radishes lose their nutrients when cooked? ›

The fact is that all forms of cooking can destroy some of the nutrients (such as vitamin C and B vitamins) in vegetables. But the flip side is that some nutrients actually become more bioavailable when vegetables are cooked, since cooking helps release the nutrients from the cell walls of the plant.

Is it healthy to eat raw radishes? ›

Because of the presence of a wide variety of nutrients, radish makes an ideal dish for raw and cooked consumption. Some of the benefits of eating radish include: Improves bowel health: Because radish is rich in fiber, it adds considerable bulk to bowel movements that alleviates constipation symptoms.

Why should you eat radishes raw? ›

Radish in its raw form has numerous health benefits. They're low in calories, high in nutrients C and K, help absorption, offer cancer prevention agents for cell security, and backing heart wellbeing with potassium. Their water content advances hydration, and L-ascorbic acid upgrades skin wellbeing.

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