• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
End of the Fork
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • COOKING TIPS
  • ABOUT
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPES
    • COOKING TIPS
    • ABOUT
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Cooking Tips

    Facts About Radishes

    Published Feb 12, 2017, modified Feb 4, 2021 by Nicole Shroff / This site uses cookies. See the privacy policy linked in my footer. This site generates income via ads/ 16 Comments /

    264 shares

    About radishes and ideas on ways to eat them.

    radishes with their leaves

    Inexpensive and easily available, radishes are an excellent snacking food as they have a high water content, are low in calories (½ cup of sliced radishes is only 10 calories), and have no fat.

    In addition, they are an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins , minerals, electrolytes and dietary fibre. High in vitamin C, they also contain potassium, magnesium, iron, vitamin B6 and folate, copper, zinc and calcium.

    Radishes (Raphanus Sativus) are a popular root vegetable of the Brassicaceae family (also known as the mustards or cabbage family), which includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and turnips. They are valued for the distinctive taste and crunchy texture.

    We have two seasons of radishes based on when they are harvested – those harvested in spring or winter.

    Spring radishes, which grow very quickly from seed (approximately 25 days), resulting in a smaller radish and these are generally eaten raw. They are usually the first plants of  spring.

    Winter radishes have a longer growing season and are larger, more elongated and have a sharper taste. These include the large white Daikon (commonly used in Japanese cuisine), and Horseradish.

    Popular varieties

    There are many types of radish, ranging from those that are large, small, long, round, spicy or mild. Some popular varieties of radishes are:

    • French breakfast – mild and super crunchy
    • White Icicle – pungent white
    • Cherry Belle – mild, small, round and red. The type most commonly available in supermarkets. They have a natural zing and a peppery bite and their clean, fresh flavour is refreshing for a perfect palate cleanser.
    • Watermelon – mildly sweet and slightly peppery with a white skin and watermelon coloured flesh
    • Green radish – sweet and mild with a green flesh
    • Black Spanish – black skin, white flesh with a peppery taste

    Storing

    They can be stored, wrapped in kitchen paper, in a fridge for a couple of days.

    Remove the greens if storing in the fridge as the greens draw moisture from the root.

    Radishes should be prepared just before they are used as they lose some flavour after slicing.

    To increase the crispness, they can be soaked in iced water for a couple of hours.

    Recipe ideas 

    Radishes can be used  in a number of different ways. They pair well with: butter, eggs, apples, cheese, cucumbers, fish, coriander, and mint, creamy and rich foods.

    They are great pickled, as a garnish, with a dip, blended into a juice, sliced, chopped, sautéed, grated, pickled or even baked. Some tasty ideas:

    • The crisp crunch makes it a perfect salad vegetable, with avocado, cucumber and a vinaigrette
    • Thinly sliced, on a slice of bread with plenty of butter, or cream cheese with sliced scallions
    • Sliced and soaked in lemon juice for a couple of hours, with salt, pepper and a few red chilli flakes
    • Sliced thinly in a sandwich with slices of roast beef
    • Sautéing radishes in olive oil, salt, parsley and lemon juice will bring out the sweetness and lessen the spice, just as baking at 425℉ /220℃ with rosemary or thyme for approximately 25-30 minutes.
    • Kimchi – pickled with cabbage, brine, ginger, garlic, sugar, chillies and shrimp sauce.
    • Radish greens are also edible and have a slightly peppery taste but they don’t stay fresh for very long. Use them as you would other salad greens, or lightly sauté in butter, salt and pepper and add a squeeze of lemon juice. They are a great addition to any minestrone.
    • Radish seeds are also edible, and can be used as a crunchy, sharp addition to salads.

    Fun facts

    • The Roman Apicius manuscript, De re coquinaria (‘On the Subject of Cooking’) of c.900AD, has a recipe for radishes with a pepper sauce.
    • The Spaniards introduced radishes to Mexico in the colonial period, where they became hugely popular as a side dish, or snack. The festival,  Noche de Rábanos (Night of the Radishes) in Oaxaca, Mexico, started with religious motifs, such as scenes from the nativity, being carved into radishes for the Christmas market to promote the produce. Today the festival of radishes attracts thousands of visitors.

    How do you like your radishes?

    More Cooking tips

    • Canning Sauces
    • Storing Meats
    • Safe Cooking Temperatures
    • Benefits of Eating Seasonally

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. NicoleShillings

      May 15, 2017 at 11:53 am

      I LOVE radishes. These are great suggestions on new ways to use them. My favorite is a slice of sour dough bread, with a think spread of salted butter, and radishes sliced and piled high on top.

      Reply
    2. eileenbakingsense

      May 13, 2017 at 11:07 pm

      We get soooo many radishes in our farm share every year. I really appreciate all your suggestion on how to use them.

      Reply
    3. Nicole

      March 03, 2017 at 2:37 am

      Try a farmers market for different varieties as supermarkets tend to have limited choices.

      Reply
    4. Eb Gargano / easypeasyfoodie.com

      March 02, 2017 at 8:21 pm

      Fascinating post – I never knew there was so much to know about radishes! I do love them in a salad but you have inspired me to be more adventurous with them in the future! Thanks for linking up with #CookBlogShare 🙂 Eb x

      Reply
      • Nicole

        March 03, 2017 at 2:44 am

        Thanks Eb, the culinary possibilities with this vegetable are numerous, have fun.

        Reply
    5. Charlotte Oates

      March 02, 2017 at 7:06 pm

      I’m surprised reading this just how many types of radishes I haven’t tried yet. I really need to look out for them while I’m out shopping rather than just opting for the little red ones. My favourite way of eating them is roasted. They make a great alternative to potatoes as a side dish.

      Reply
    6. Mandy Mazliah

      March 02, 2017 at 5:14 pm

      Love this! I quite like radishes just as they come. Might try growing my own this year. #CookBlogShare

      Reply
      • Nicole

        March 03, 2017 at 2:26 am

        Great idea Mandy, homegrown vegetables are the best 🙂

        Reply
    7. Victoria Berman

      February 19, 2017 at 4:47 pm

      Radishes are the best and I never knew they come from China! I love them in salads with tomatoes, cucumbers and mayo or oven roasted with olive oil!

      Reply
      • Nicole

        March 03, 2017 at 2:21 am

        Delicious, thanks Victoria

        Reply
    8. Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry

      February 19, 2017 at 2:42 pm

      Very informative! It’s lovely to have the crunch of radish in a salad in particular

      Reply
      • Nicole

        March 03, 2017 at 2:14 am

        Thanks Bintu

        Reply
    9. cricketsconfections

      February 19, 2017 at 2:11 pm

      Yum! I love radishes! I just dip them in butter and sprinkle with a little sea salt!

      Reply
      • Nicole

        March 03, 2017 at 2:06 am

        oh yes, thats the best!

        Reply
    10. Liz @ I Heart Vegetables

      February 19, 2017 at 2:03 pm

      I actually LOVE Radishes and my coworkers things I’m crazy because sometimes I just eat them on their own! haha

      Reply
      • Nicole

        March 03, 2017 at 2:08 am

        It’ll catch on, I’m sure of it.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Photo of Nicole.

    Browse my site for healthy and seasonal recipes from around the world, read about great ingredients, and get handy tips for working in the kitchen. Also, check out my restaurant reviews for some great dining experiences! more about me →

    New! Meal Planner

    Cover of meal planner showing colourful food.

    Dessert Recipes

    • Pear Cobbler
    • Yogurt Pancakes
    • Bliss Balls
    • Chocolate Orange Cake

    Winter Recipes

    • Apple Cider Vinegar And Cranberry Juice
    • Cranberry Mocktail
    • Turkish Lamb Ribs
    • Cherry Sauce

    Top Categories

    Breakfast Chicken Lamb Seafood Light Meals Soup Salad Sides Beans Cookies Dessert

    Trending

    • Pasta With Ricotta And Tomato Sauce
    • Broccoli & Cheese Breakfast Muffins
    • Zucchini Banana Bread
    • Cavolo Nero With Garlic And Lemon

    Footer

    As seen in graphic.

    ^ back to top

    About

    Subscribe

    Contact Me

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Meal Planner
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Mail
    • Pinterest

    @ 2023 End of the Fork. All Rights Reserved.