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Radishes are among the first vegetables harvested in a late spring (or fall) garden, which makes them particularly exciting. They have a crisp, peppery bite and are perfectly eaten pickled or added to any salad dish. But for some, the excitement of that beautiful red radish harvest is lessened when they can’t figure out how to store them.
Here’s a guide on how to store radishes once they have been harvested.
When to Harvest Radishes
Radishes are best harvested when big enough to pop their head up out of the ground. Don’t wait too long to harvest your radishes, though. Overgrown radishes can split and get soft.
If you have a whole row of radishes planted, you can harvest them in batches as they get bigger. Just work your way down the row, choosing the biggest ones each time.
If you do not use your radishes right away, be sure to pick them when the ground is fairly dry so that they do not have excess moisture.
How to Store Radishes
Radishes are like other root vegetables (carrots, beets, etc.) in that they like to be stored quickly in a space that can keep them a little bit moist without growing mold.
- First, chop off the greens when you bring them inside, leaving just a little tuft of green. You can use the radish greens in a salad or saute like kale (yum), but if you leave them attached to the radishes, they will become limp, and the radishes themselves will become soft.
- Second, brush the dirt off the radishes, but don’t wash them. You don’t want to introduce new moisture to the equation. You can easily wash the radishes when you are ready to use them.
- Third, store the radishes. If you plan to use just a handful or a dozen soon, store them in a resealable plastic bag in your refrigerator’s produce drawer.
Alternatively, to keep them nice and crisp, you can also store them in a mason jar covered with cold water (we find this method does not last as long as a simple bag, but it is great if you will use them soon).
If you have a lot of radishes, you can also store radishes in a box with wood shavings, like this carrot storage method.
Creative Ways to Use Radishes
OK, so you have harvested and stored all of these lovely radishes. How are you going to use them?
- Shredded Radishes: Shredding radishes can make a great addition to salads beyond the typical green variety. They work wonderfully in soba noodle salads, as a crunchy component in lettuce wraps, or as a zesty addition to potato salads.
- Roasted Radishes: Roasting radishes mellows their spiciness and brings out a surprising sweetness. This method is simple—just wash, halve, and roast the radishes. When mixed with other vegetables, they add a beautiful pop of color and flavor.
- Sautéed Radishes: Like roasting, sautéing radishes soften their sharp taste and enhance flavor.
- Radish Chips: For a unique twist, try dehydrating radishes with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to make crunchy chips.
- Pickled Radishes: If you’re new to pickled vegetables, start with radishes. They pickle beautifully, and the slight sweetness can ease you into the taste.
