By Megan McFadden in Ingredient — Sep 6, 2023

25 Creative Vegan Recipes Using Radishes

Radishes, often overshadowed by more popular vegetables, are like hidden gems in the world of root veggies. Try these vegan radish recipes today.

Introduction

Radishes, often overshadowed by more popular vegetables, are like hidden gems in the world of root veggies. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Common types include red radishes, white radishes (daikon), and black radishes. Some varieties are small and round, while others are long and cylindrical.

They have much to offer in the kitchen with their vibrant colors, crisp texture, and peppery flavor. Try these vegan radish recipes today, including but not limited to the following.

Radish Pico de Gallo
Rosemary Roasted Radishes
Roasted Radish Lemon Pasta
Daikon Radish Buns
Pickled Radishes

1. Radish Pico de Gallo

There are many salsas, from salsa verde to pico de gallo. Adding radishes into the mix adds another level of flavor. If you want to try this, make radish pico de gallo with the help of Little Figgy Food.

You may also like these Mexican recipes.

2. Rosemary Roasted Radishes

I wanted to make a herb garden this year. Unfortunately, life happens, and I was too busy to finish most of my gardening to-do list this year, but at least I figured out how to successfully grow basil plants in buckets.

Rosemary is a prime example of how a tiny bit of fresh herbs goes a long way in recipes. You only need two teaspoons to make these rosemary roasted radishes from Eat the Gains.

3. Roasted Radish Lemon Pasta

Pasta is one of my favorite comfort foods. I tend to have it in over half of my meals, like minestrone, baked ziti, and lasagna.

Here is some roasted radish lemon pasta from Cotter Crunch. Have more lemon recipes.

Just a friendly reminder: use the ground mustard option to make this because honey mustard is not vegan due to containing honey.

4. Daikon Radish Buns

Daikon radishes are commonly used in soups, stews, and kimchi in some cuisines, like Japanese and Korean. Another way to use daikon radishes is by creating daikon radish buns, thanks to WoonHeng.

5. Pickled Radishes

If you went to an Amish auction, you may find a lot of pickled veggies. My grandma and mom bought a dozen jars of pickled beets the last time we were there. They can keep that to themselves because I do not like pickled foods. If this sounds good, here are some pickled radishes from Recipes From A Pantry.

If you would rather have beets, try these beet recipes.

6. Radish Black Bean Tacos

Radish tacos are a delightful and unconventional twist on traditional tacos, offering a refreshing crunch and peppery flavor.

Try these radish black bean tacos from It's a Veg World After All. Then, make more tacos.

7. Radish Charcuterie House

Radishes have cultural significance across the world. For example, in Oaxaca, Mexico, the Night of the Radishes (Noche de Rábanos) occurs annually on December 23 when people create intricate radish sculptures.

If you're feeling creative, build a radish charcuterie house, a recipe by Vegan Dollhouse. Afterwards, get ahead on making a gingerbread house for Christmas.

8. Radish Poke Bowl

Watermelon radishes fascinate me because they look exactly like mini watermelons. After they're sliced, they make cute decorations.

If you would rather eat them, create this radish poke bowl from Sprouts and Krauts.

Here are some watermelon recipes for those craving watermelon.

9. Radish Chips

Growing up, I used to be into watching the soap opera Days of Our Lives to the point where I had the routine of making chips and cheese with salsa if there was any around and then turning the show on or watching my mom's recording of it.

A healthier option to regular, old chips is making them homemade from the veggies in your kitchen. For instance, try these radish chips from Healthy Little Peach.

10. Daikon Radish Fries

A few years ago, my mom offered to get my siblings and me air fryers for Christmas, and I decided to let her gift me one. A free appliance, why not, right? The only thing I tried making out of it since is fries, which I did poorly, but at least I can make quality sweet potato fries in the oven.

Here are daikon radish fries from What Great Grandma Ate.

11. Radish Herb Salad

Radishes are often raw in salads; their crunch and peppery kick add a refreshing element. One example of this is this radish herb salad from Tasting With Tina.

12. Radish Relish

Radish-based condiments add a refreshing and unique twist to your meals, making good use of this often-underappreciated vegetable.

Here is a radish relish recipe from Salty Canary.

13. Grilled Radishes

I dream of owning a grill and preparing food for the rest of the week, like burgers, veggie pans, and corn on the cob. I will continue to use my oven until next year because it will be winter before we know it.

If you need more things to grill, make grilled radishes with the help of Life's Little Sweets.

14. Radish Apple Coleslaw

Apple is an iconic fall flavor. There are many ways to enjoy this fruit, from pie to bread.

If you would instead pick a nontraditional approach to using up old apples, create radish apple coleslaw with the help of Blackberry Babe.

Here are more apple recipes.

15. Black Radish Cream Soup

Most people consider soup a seasonal dish when it gets cold or dreary outside, but not me. I've made soup several times this past summer and enjoy it as much as I do when it's freezing outside.

For my fellow soup fans, I found a black radish cream soup from Slavic Vegan, great for any soup cravings. In addition, here are more soup recipes.

16. Kkakdugi

In the 19th century, radish kimchi (kkakdugi) was invented in Korea by Princess Sukseon by making kimchi with cubed radish, instead of cabbage. Even though it was made by accident, it became a hit and later got the name kkakdugi.

Make kkakdugi with the help of What Great Grandma Ate. You may like eating these cabbage recipes.

17. French Butter Radish Terrine

Terrine is a loaf made from a meat, fish, or vegetable mixture. In particular, a radish terrine is an elegant and visually appealing dish showcasing radishes' vibrant colors and flavors. It's a layered dish typically made by arranging thinly sliced radishes in a mold. This French butter radish terrine from Veggiekins is made with dairy-free butter over gelatin to make it vegan.

18. Radish Avocado Rice

Avocado was one of the many food discoveries I made as an adult. I tried it at "the reunion party" my professor threw about a month after we took a Cuba capstone together. It was super delicious, and I have enjoyed it ever since.

If you like avocado too, try this radish avocado rice from Mississippi Vegan.

19. Radish Wands

As a child, the world seemed magical, as if it was made with a wave of a wand because everything was in its rightful place. As I grew older, I learned it was only a mirage and the real world was more complicated than it seemed.

Even though magic is make-believe, you can create a wand with your imagination, cookie cutters, bamboo skewers, and radishes. Make radish wands with the help of Vegan Dollhouse.

20. Radish Jalapeño Toasty

The rest of these radish recipes are ways to incorporate radish greens into your cooking instead of throwing them away or putting them in the compost pile.

The first one is a radish jalapeño toasty by Chef Priyanka.

21. Radish Greens Chimichurri

Chimichurri is an herb sauce originating in Argentine and Uruguayan cuisines. It is usually paired with cooked meat.

An herb alternative is using fresh radish greens. Try radish greens chimichurri from Fork in the Road.

22. Rhubarb Radish Greens Stew

This spring, my former high school band teacher had a plant fundraiser. Since I was growing several types of fruits and veggies in mini pots, I bought a rhubarb plant and a hanging plant with a DIY gnome made out of yarn in a clay pot. The rhubarb plant is alive and well despite the pesky groundhogs wreaking my garden on multiple occasions.

Here is a rhubarb radish greens stew recipe from FOODHEAL. You may also like these rhubarb recipes.

23. Radish Greens Miso Ramen

Some of my siblings like ramen. I am unsure how frequently they have it in their homes, but they tend to make it individually when my parents are low on leftovers.

If you are a ramen fan, try radish greens miso ramen from Tried and True.

24. Radish Greens Pesto

I've heard so many rumors that radishes are easy to grow and harvest. I tried growing them this year, and after two months, the roots barely grew, and the tops bolted with flowers. I felt better when my mom admitted she had the same issues when she tried growing them. At least the flowers were cute decorations on the cake I made shortly after harvesting them.

If you have better luck than me with growing radishes, use the radish greens in this radish greens pesto from The House & Homestead.

25. Radish Greens Hummus

The last vegan radish recipe I have for you is hummus, one of my favorite condiments. It goes great with veggie sticks and pita chips.

Make radish greens hummus thanks to Being Nutritious.

Conclusion

Radishes may not be the star of the vegetable world, but they bring flavor and color to the table. From their intriguing history to their culinary versatility, radishes are a delightful addition to your garden and kitchen. So, why not give these peppery root veggies a chance to shine in your next meal? They just might become your new favorite vegetable!

If you liked this blog post, you might like my previous entries on sweet potatoes, beets, and carrots and my future ones on turnips, parsnips, and onions.