It will soon be summer, and this is the time that radishes are in full bloom. They’re a delicious and crispy seasonal vegetable, adding fire and aromas to all your meals. The problem is that people are confused and unsure about how to use them.
Sure enough, radishes are often each raw with salads. They’re chopped up and mixed in or placed in a bowl on the side for people to add as they like. But that can get a little boring at times, especially if you have the same salad over and over again.
It’s time to change the way you use radishes on a daily basis. Here are 11 tasty radish recipes that you really need to try!
Pull Out the Slow Cooker for This Tortilla Soup
Let’s start with something you’ve likely never even considered. This radish recipe is a slow cooker one, meaning it’s perfect for those dreary summer days or as the fall starts to work its way into the area. You’ll be able to make the dish before you go to work and it will be ready for you when you get home.
Ingredients:
- 2.5-3lbs pork shoulder, boneless, trimmed and halved
- 1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and diced
- 1 can of chopped tomatoes
- 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped and deseeded
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1tbsp chili powder
- 1 tortilla wrap, chopped into strips
- 1tbsp oil of choice
- Radishes, cilantro, and lime wedges for serving
Method:
- Prepare the slow cooker and add in everything except for the tortilla wraps, oil, and garnishing ingredients
- Add 4 cups of water and a bit of salt and then cook for 7-8 hours on low or 5-6 hours on high, until the meat is tender
- 15 minutes before you serve, preheat the oven to 450F and line a baking sheet
- Toss the tortilla wraps in oil with a bit of salt and lay out on the baking sheet
- Cook in the oven for about 10 minutes until crispy
- Shred the meat into a bowl and put back in the slow cooker to heat through
- Serve the soup in a bowl with the tortilla and garnishing ingredients over the top
This recipe doesn’t quite involve the radishes, but you can’t deny that they’re not present. They actually add an extra flavor to the final soup.
Create a Sandwich with Radish and Avocado
When you want something that utilizes the radish flavor perfectly, you want to make this sandwich. You can make it with vegan and gluten free alternatives if you’d like. It’s time to make all the flavors come to life in a recipe that is easy to take to work.
Ingredients:
- 2 slices of bread of choice
- ¼ avocado, mashed
- 1oz goat cheese, crumbled
- 8 snow peas
- 2 radishes, chopped
- 1/8 of a red onion, sliced
Method:
- Spread the avocado on the bread
- Top with the rest of the ingredients and form your sandwich
If you want to avoid the bread going soggy, you could take the ingredients separately. There shouldn’t be too much of a problem though if you wrap in foil before you pack.
Create an Asian Ham Salad
This is the first salad recipe, but it’s a slightly different take to what you’d be used to. This one will include some filling carbs – complex carbs if you opt for brown rice. You don’t need to add the ham if you want to make a vegetarian option for your day.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of rice of choice
- 1 cup of edamame, frozen and shelled
- 2tbsp rice vinegar
- 2tbsp oil of choice
- 1tsp sesame oil
- 1/4tsp crushed red pepper
- 1/4lb of deli ham, chopped
- 6 radishes, chopped
- 4 scallions, chopped
- 2tbsp peanuts, chopped
Method:
- Cook the edamame and rice according to their packaging directions
- Whisk the vinegar, pepper, oils together with some seasoning
- Add in the rest of the ingredients, except the peanuts, including the cooked edamame and rice
- Plate up or add to your bowls and then top with the peanuts
You can avoid the peanuts if there are allergies. If you’re going to take this to work, mix it all together in a sealable tub but have the peanuts separate. Add them just before you start to eat the salad.
Buttered Radishes and Leek as a Side Dish
Sometimes you need a side dish to work with your dinner. This is where this radish recipe comes into play. Have fun and try adding a few other vegetables if you want at a later date.
Ingredients:
- 1tbsp oil of choice
- 1tbsp butter
- 3 scallions, chopped
- 1/4lb of radishes, quartered
- 3 leeks, chopped
- ½ cup of chicken or vegetable broth
- 1tsp lemon juice
- 2tbsp parsley, chopped
Method:
- Heat the butter and oil over a medium heat and then fry the scallions for about 3 minutes
- Add the radishes and cook for one minute and then remove the vegetables and set to one side
- Add the broth, leeks, lemon juice in the pan with some seasoning, cooking for 5 minutes
- Add the parsley with the radishes and scallions, and combine everything together
- Serve still warm
Butter vegetables get a bad reputation. If you use unsalted butter, you will help to protect your health. When it comes to oils, olive and coconut oil tend to be the better options for your heart.
Make a Radish Slaw with Chipotle Beef Tacos
Now it’s time to make a full meal. This is another one that calls for the slow cooker, meaning you can do most of it while you’re out. It will make a delicious dinner party recipe throughout the year.
Ingredients:
- 3lbs of beef, trimmed and chopped into pieces
- 1 onion, sliced thinly
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 3tbsp chipotles in adobo sauce, or to taste
- 1tsp oregano, dried
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cups of cabbage, sliced thinly
- 4 radishes, sliced thinly
- ¼ cup of cilantro, chopped
- 2tbsp lime juice, plus wedges for serving
- 1 tortilla wrap
- jalapeno peppers, hot sauce, and sour cream for serving
Method:
- Combine the beef, onion, chipotles, garlic, bay leaves, oregano, and some salt for seasoning in the slow cook
- Cook for 7-8 hours on low or 3.5-4 hours on high
- 20 minutes before serving, preheat your oven to 350F
- Wrap the tortilla in foil and bake for 10 minutes
- In a bowl, combine the radishes, cabbage, lime juice and cilantro, seasoning to taste
- Place the beef only into a bowl and spread
- Strain the cooking liquid into the bowl with the beef and combine fully
- Fill your tortilla wrap with the beef and then the radish slaw, topping with your preferred ingredients
You can use more tortilla wraps if you’d like. This can serve four people. It will just depend on how much you want to add to the middle of the tortilla wrap.
If you want to take this to work with you, keep the beef and the slaw in separate tubs. You can add them to your wraps when you’re at your lunch table. Or you could use the wraps to tear and dip into the beef, eating with a fork!
Another Avocado and Radish Sandwich
Avocado and Radishes tend to work well together. This is why we have another sandwich for you to try out right now.
Ingredients:
- Radishes, thinly sliced
- Oil of choice
- Lemon juice
- Avocado, sliced
- Bread of choice
- Lemon zest, finely grated
Method:
- Toss the radishes with the lemon juice, oil, and some salt and black pepper for seasoning
- Repeat with the avocado in a separate bowl and then mash together
- Place the mashed avocado on the bread and top with the radish mixture
- Sprinkle the lemon zest over the top and drizzle with oil if you’d like
This works well as an open sandwich, especially with the drizzled oil. Make it up and wrap it in foil to enjoy it while out and about. You can also switch the bread for tortilla wraps.
Chicken Chipotle Tacos with a Radish Salad
This is one of those recipes that you’ll want to make for dinner now and then. You’ll bring the taste of South America to your kitchen with ease while using up your radishes effortlessly.
Ingredients:
- 3tbsp chipotles in adobo, chopped
- 3/4tsp cumin, ground
- 4 chicken cutlets
- 1 bunch of radishes, chopped
- 1 bunch of radish greens, chopped
- 4 scallion greens, chopped
- 2tbsp oil of choice
- 1.5tbsp lime juice
- 8 tortillas, toasted
- Mashed avocado, to taste
Method:
- Mix the chipotles with cumin and some salt to taste
- Add the chicken and coat thoroughly
- Mix the radishes and greens in a bowl together and then drizzle over the lime juice and oil
- Grill the chicken, slice, and add to the tortillas
- Top with the radish salad and avocado and serve
This will be delish on a summer day at the office. You can also make it for the kids for lunch.
Feta and Radish Spread with Pita Crisps
It’s time to create a snack for you and the kids to enjoy. This uses radishes to create a spread for your pita crisps. You’ll have the healthiest and tastiest snack ever.
Ingredients:
- 5tbsp oil of choice
- 2 pitas, sliced open
- 1 pack of feta cheese, chopped
- ¼ cup of natural Greek yogurt
- 2tbsp lemon juice
- 3tbsp parsley, chopped
- 4 radishes, sliced
Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350F
- Brush the pita rounds with some oil and chop into wedges
- Arrange on a foiled baking trap, oiling the sides, and then toast for about 10 minutes, until golden brown
- Pulse the rest of the ingredients except the radishes and parsley in a blender, until it becomes spreadable, and then place it in a bowl
- Stir in the last of the ingredients and serve
You can dip the pita crisps into the spread or use a knife to spread it across. Your kids won’t even realize that they’re getting a healthy snack because it looks like it should be naughty! They’ll love it.
Add a Radish Salad to Some Fish Tacos
How about fish tacos for dinner? Well, to use up your radishes, you’ll want to add a radish salad for the side. Make sure your radishes are fresh and crisp to add a bite to this salad.
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch of cilantro, stems removed
- 4tbsp lime juice
- 3tbsp oil of choice
- ½ bunch of radishes, trimmed and chopped
- 3 scallions, sliced
- ½ a jalapeno, seeded and chopped finely
- 1.5lbs of fish fillets, skinless
- 1/2tsp coriander, ground
- Tortilla wraps
Method:
- Preheat your grill
- Mix the cilantro with 2tbsp of the lime juice, 2tbsp of the oil and 2tbsp of water in a blender
- Season with salt and pepper and then blend until pureed, setting to one side
- Mix the rest of the lime juice and oil together in a bowl, with the radishes, scallions, and jalapeno pepper, seasoning and then setting aside
- Place the fish on a foiled baking sheet and season with the coriander and some salt and black pepper
- Grill for 5minutes, until opaque and easy to break
- Toast or heat your tortilla wraps and then assemble the tacos with your fish and radish salad, toping with the cilantro salsa
You’ll get 12 tacos out of this mixture, which is perfect for a Mexican dinner with the family. Make more if you want to host a dinner party with your friends!
Make a Radish Pasta and Add in the Shrimp
It’s time for a pasta dish – I bet you never thought of that with your radish! This recipe calls for shrimp, but you can use chicken or lamb if you’d like. Add mixed vegetables if you want a meatless option.
Ingredients:
- 3/4lbs of long pasta of choice, cooked according to packet instructions
- ¼ cup of butter
- 2 garlic cloves, sliced thinly
- 1 bunch of radishes and greens, sliced
- 1lb of frozen shrimp, thawed
Method:
- After cooking the pasta, reserve a cup of the cooking water but drain the rest and return the pasta to the pot
- Add 2tbsp butter to the cooked pasta and combine until the butter melts
- In a skillet, melt butter and then add the radishes and garlic, cooking for about 3 minutes
- Add in the radish greens, cooking until wilted
- Season the radish mix with some salt and black pepper and then add the pasta
- Melt more butter in the skillet and add in the shrimp, seasoning to taste, and cook for about 4 minutes
- Add the shrimp to the pasta and combine thoroughly
- Add in some of the pasta water to make the radish mixture into a light sauce
Create a Tomato and Radish Curry
As the final dish, it’s time to bring a taste of the Middle East to your kitchen. This tomato and radish curry are to die for. Your kids will want you to make it over and over again.
Ingredients:
- Radish and tomatoes, to taste
- Besan flour
- 3tbsp chili powder
- 1tsp turmeric
- 1tsp jeera
- 1/2tsp mustard seed
- Curry leaves to taste
- Oil of choice
Method:
- Skin the radish and chop into pieces
- Dice the tomatoes
- Heat the oil in a pan and add half the jeera and mustard seeds, along with the curry leaves
- Add in the tomatoes and mix fully, cooking for 5 minutes
- Add in the rest of the ingredients (including radish) except the besan and cook until it’s all soft
- Mix the besan with some chili powder, salt, and water to create a paste and then add to the curry mixture, cooking until it dries
Serve the curry on a bed of rice with a chapatti or naan bread.
Add Radishes to Your Shopping List This Summer
There are so many things that you can do with radishes. They’re not just for salads or garnishing. Take a look at the recipes above and find ways that you can add them to your meals. You’ll be surprised at some of the ways to utilize them and add their flavor to your cooking. Whoever thought about adding radishes to pasta or curries? Well, now you have the perfect recipes to try out first.
