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

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

When you think of root vegetables, we bet you think of ones like carrots, potatoes, beets, and onions. While we’re all about all those 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 20 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 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 banh mi, 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 pasta 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 Mary’s 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

Pasta Primavera

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

This delicate, luscious pasta is the epitome of spring, showcasing under-appreciated fresh produce, like red radishes. Though cherry radishes can be a little spicy, when sautéed or roasted, they become incredibly sweet and tender. Less important, but still worth noting, they also turn the most perfect shade of pink, adding a lovely pop of springy color to this pasta dish. 😍

Get the Pasta Primavera recipe.

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2

Classic Banh Mi

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

It's undeniable. A Vietnamese Banh Mi 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 Classic Banh Mi recipe.

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3

Brown Butter Radish Crostini

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

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. Finished with some flaky sea salt, a sprinkling of thyme, and a hit of fresh lemon juice, and this little root veggie will get ALL the attention it deserves.

Get the Brown Butter Radish Crostini recipe.

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4

Fauxtato Chips

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

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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5

Bacon Pea Salad

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

When you think pea salad, you might envision a heavy, mayonnaise-based side dish. Those are great in their own right, but we decided to lighten things up a bit for our extra springy version. This one is fresh and crunchy—thanks to radishes and red cabbage—and has the most addicting bacon vinaigrette you might just be tempted to pour over everything.

Get the Bacon Pea Salad recipe.

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6

Grilled Swordfish with Hazelnut Miso Sauce

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

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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7

Kimchi Tofu Stew

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

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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8

Pickled Daikon

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

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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9

Bánh Mì Kebabs

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

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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10

Beet-Pickled Pickles

20 Radish Recipes That Prove The Root Vegetable Is Great Raw AND Roasted (21)

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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11

Tofu Banh Mi

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

Though a traditional banh mi 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!

Get the Tofu Banh Mi recipe.

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12

Garden Greens and Pumpernickel Panzanella

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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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13

Sliced Radish and Radish Leaf Toasts with Lemon Butter

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

Get the Sliced Radish and Radish Leaf Toasts with Lemon Butter recipe from Country Living.

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14

Radish and Celery Salad with Lemon-Tarragon Dressing

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

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 and Celery Salad with Lemon-Tarragon Dressing from Country Living.

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15

Spring Salad with Radishes

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

This simple spring salad recipe is bursting with fresh seasonal flavor.

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

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16

Miso-Glazed Radishes

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Miso, a fermented soybean paste, adds saltiness to roasted radishes for a quick and easy Easter side dish perfect for spring.

Get the Miso-Glazed Radishes recipe from Good Housekeeping.

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17

Garlicky Roasted-Radish Bruschetta

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

This bright bruschetta makes the perfect spring starter. Radishes roasted with garlic are a lovely, spicy, crunchy topping to pile on top of toast.

Get the Garlicky Roasted-Radish Bruschetta recipe from Good Housekeeping.

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18

Vegan Caesar Salad

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

There’s never a bad time to serve Caesar salad, and this vegan version is a crowd-pleasing lunch or healthy side dish that anyone can enjoy, no matter their dietary preferences (meat lovers, you’ll love this too!).

Get the Vegan Caesar Salad recipe from Good Housekeeping.

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19

Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad

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

Beautiful carrot ribbons and thinly sliced radishes get dressed in a beautifully sweet and tart honey and citrus juice lemon vinaigrette for the ultimate spring salad, full of flavor and fresh produce.

Get the Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad recipe from Good Housekeeping.

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20

Hot Honey-Roasted Salmon and Radishes

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Fresh jalapeño-infused honey and spicy radish greens give this flaky baked salmon a one-two punch of flavor.

Get the Hot Honey-Roasted Salmon and Radishes from Woman's Day Kitchen.

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

FAQs

Are radishes better cooked or raw? ›

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 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.

How do you serve raw radishes? ›

Radishes are most often served raw, halved and sprinkled with salt, shaved into salads, layered over butter-smeared baguettes, or shredded into slaws. They also can be marinated with olive oil and lemon and mint for a refreshing salad, and they can be pickled with a classic vinegar-sugar-salt mix.

What is the healthiest way to eat radishes? ›

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.

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.

What not to eat with radish? ›

  • Dec 6, 2023, 08:52 PM IST. 5 Foods You Must Never Pair With Radish. ...
  • Radish and Milk. ...
  • Radish and Cucumber. ...
  • Radish and Oranges. ...
  • Radish and Bitter Gourd. ...
  • Radish and Tea.
Dec 6, 2023

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.

What are the side effects of raw radishes? ›

Since radishes are natural diuretics (foods that lower the fluid in your body, causing you to pee more), eating too many might make you dehydrated. Stomach irritation.As with other fruits and vegetables, eating too many radishes or radish leaves may upset your stomach. That's because of the high fiber content.

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.

What do roasted radishes taste like? ›

Roasting radishes transforms their assertively pungent and spicy raw flavor into slightly sweet, caramelized and melt-in-your mouth, turnip-tasting-like juicy jewels!

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.

What can I do with lots of radishes? ›

Here are some ways to use up a bunch of radishes:
  1. Salad: Radishes can add a spicy and crunchy element to salads. ...
  2. Pickling: Radishes can be pickled in vinegar and used as a condiment or topping for sandwiches, tacos, and burgers. ...
  3. Roasting: Roasting radishes can bring out their sweetness and mellow out their spiciness.
Feb 22, 2023

Are radishes bitter when cooked? ›

Radishes are well-known for the touch of bitterness they add to a meal. Some people like it, others don't. Once roasted, they might just become your family's favourite salad topping. Indeed, cooking radishes makes them milder, which is why this recipe is a good way to rediscover 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.

Are cooked radishes good for you? ›

Radishes have a variety of benefits and can be consumed raw, cooked, or pickled. Radishes are low in calories and also have a lot of protein and fibre. Additionally, radishes are also high in Vitamin C, which is necessary for immune system building and serves a variety of other functions.

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.

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.

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