In this article, we’ll be talking about the colorful watermelon radish. We’ll answer your questions about the taste and texture and discuss what makes them different from other radish varieties. Then we’ll share some recipe tips for getting the most out of your farmers market haul.
Let’s dive in…
What Does Watermelon Radish Taste Like?
Radishes may be known for bringing some heat to your salad, but watermelon radish, a type of daikon radish with magenta flesh, is one variety that’s on the mild side.
Also called “red meat,” “beauty heart” and “rooseheart” radishes, these little guys are a little sweet with just a touch of spice. To give you an idea, the heat is akin to black pepper rather than to chili pepper.
Watermelon Radish Texture
Watermelon radishes have the same lovely texture of other radishes. They’re crisp, crunchy and moist like jicama, though they become tender when cooked.
The freshest watermelon radishes will be the juiciest. If they’ve been sitting in the vegetable bin of your refrigerator for a while, you might find them a little dry, but they’ll probably still be firm and crunchy.
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How Do You Eat a Watermelon Radish?
Salads tend to be the first options that come to mind when selecting recipes for this radish, but there are more recipes excellently suited to the beauty heart.
They can be cooked and used in soups and sautes, and pickling them will add a burst of color to your sandwiches. You can even grill them. In fact, we suggest you do, and you’ll see how below.
Can You Freeze Watermelon Radishes?
You can definitely freeze watermelon radishes. Your best bet is to slice them up first and plan to use them in cooked recipes when they come out of the freezer as some of their crispness will be lost.
Another option is to freeze them after you’ve cooked them. You can either saute them or simply freeze the meal they’re in and they’ll retain their texture when thawed.
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How Do You Cut a Watermelon Radish?
It may seem like there aren’t many ways to cut a watermelon radish, but there are several popular and lesser known techniques. Let’s go over some of them:
- Grating them for salad
- Spiralizing them for pasta, stir-fry or salad dishes
- Slicing them into thin rounds to make “chips” or vehicles for dips
- Slicing them length-wise into “fries”
- Chopping them into cubes for soup
Watermelon Radish Serving Tips
Are you curious about making “chips” with watermelon radishes? Watch these videos with guided recipes to see these and more vegan delights with our star of the show.
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Looking for a replacement for potato chips? Check out this recipe (use watermelon radishes or any other variety you like).
You’ll need:
- Radishes
- Olive oil
- Paprika
- Salt
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
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You know who likes watermelon radish chips? Teri Hatcher. Teri is going to show you how to make raw radish chips like crudites in this video.
The ingredients are simple:
- Cucumber
- Watermelon radish
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
This recipe combines grilled watermelon radish with the fresh herb flavors of chimichurri sauce. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience.
Here’s what you need to make it:
- Olive oil
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Red wine vinegar
- Garlic
- Shallots
- Crushed red pepper
- Salt and pepper
- Watermelon radishes
- Jicama
Wrap Up
The fetching watermelon radish is crisp and mild with a sweetness not typically found in other radishes. It can be eaten warm, cold, raw or cooked in soups, salads, sides and main dishes. The best recipes are ones that show off the ruby and magenta tones of this pretty vegetable. Serve it instead of crudites on a party platter or grill it and toss it with herbs for one of the most delicious salads you’ve ever tasted.
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Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
