Pickled Radishes

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Tangy and spicy pickled radishes are perfect for sandwiches, tacos, soups, and more! This easy and quick pickle is a delicious way to enjoy fresh radishes.

If you’re looking for a tangy snack with a crunch, pickled radishes might just be your new favorite treat.

These small, vibrant vegetables are pickled in a vinegar brine, giving them a sour-sweet taste that perfectly balances their natural spiciness. 

I love to grab spring radishes and pickle them, not only so I can extend the flavor once the season has passed, but also to have a delicious snack or topping on hand whenever I want. 

These pickled delights are perfect for adding a pop of color to salads and sandwiches, or as a crunchy accompaniment to charcuterie boards.

You can even serve as part of a pickle plate or relish tray, along with my pickled green beans or pickled beets!

Plus, pickled radishes are incredibly easy to make, so you can have a batch pickling in just a few minutes. 

Ingredients for pickled radishes

You’ll need the following:

Radishes – Radishes can vary a lot in size and shape. For this recipe, I recommend about 8 ounces of radishes, which will make 1 pint of thinly sliced radishes. This is about the same size as 1 bunch of red radishes.

Vinegar – For the distinctive tartness of a pickle, we use vinegar. I use distilled white vinegar here.

Water – Use the water and vinegar in equal amounts for this recipe. If you want a stronger pickle flavor, use more vinegar and/or less water.

Using at least 50% vinegar in the brine solution is a must for a proper pickle.

In addition, pickles with less than 50% vinegar are not suitable for canning, so if you want to process your jars for pantry storage, do not lower the vinegar levels!

Sugar – For a sweetness to balance out the spice of the radishes, use a bit of granulated sugar.

Pickling salt – Pickling salt is a very fine salt that dissolves easily in liquids, making it perfect for brines. If you don’t have pickling salt, you can use fine sea salt.

Peppercorns – I use black peppercorns, just like the ones you’d put in a pepper mill. You can use white peppercorns for a less robust taste.

Mustard seed – I like to add a bit of mustard seed to many of my pickle recipes for aromatic flavor.

Celery seed – Celery seed is another common pickling ingredient. It has a somewhat citrusy and herbal taste.

How to make this pickled radish recipe

Make sure you have clean canning jars or bowl ready to use. 

Wash the radishes and trim the roots and tops. 

Slice the radishes as desired, either into cubes, thin slices, or matchsticks. You can use a mandoline if desired, or just cut by hand.

Add the radishes to your jar. I was able to get all of my radishes into 1 pint jar, but depending on the shape of your radishes, you might need to use different or more jars.

Add the peppercorns, mustard seed, and celery seed to the jar. Don’t worry about shaking or mixing; the spices will be distributed when you pour in the brine.

In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, and pickling salt. Heat over medium-high, stirring to dissolve the sugar and salt.

Once dissolved, remove from heat and carefully pour the brine over the radishes. Fill the jar so that there is about 1/4 inch of space at the top.

Use a chopstick or a wooden kitchen dowel placed into the jar and run around the edges to remove any air bubbles. Add more brine if needed to ensure the radishes are completely submerged.

Place a lid on the jar (or cover if using a bowl) and let cool to room temperature, then store in the refrigerator. 

Let the pickled radishes cure for at least 1 day before eating to soak up the flavors.

Recipe suggestions

To make these easy pickled radishes your own, change up the flavor options.

If you like, you can leave out the mustard seed and celery seed for a stronger radish flavor. 

Add a small fiery chile or sliced jalapeño for hot pickled radishes. Or use crushed red chile flakes.

Pickle the radishes with carrots for a great sandwich topping. Make sure to slice the radishes and carrots into pieces of the same shape and approximate size.

FAQ

What kind of radishes should I use for pickling?

For this recipe, I use red radishes, generally also known as cherry belle, which are the most common variety sold in stores. Radishes begin to be in season in springtime and can last throughout the growing season, depending on your local climate.

There are many different kinds of radishes out there, so don’t be afraid to try different varieties. Each radish has its own level of spicy flavor.

Try daikon, watermelon radish, Easter radish, French breakfast radish, and more!

How long do pickled radishes last?

Stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container, pickled radishes will keep for 1 month or more.

Properly canned and stored in the pantry, they will last for 18 months.

Are pickled radishes suitable for canning?

If you’re pickling a large batch of radishes or want to store them in the pantry long-term, you can process these in a water-bath canner.

To can pickled radishes, first fill a water-bath canner with water and bring to a boil over high heat. 

Make sure your jars are clean and free from any cracks or scratches. Any rings with rust should be discarded. Make sure to use a new lid, as they cannot be reused.

Make the recipe as directed, placing on the lids and screwing the lids on fingertip tight. 

Carefully lower the jars into the boiling water using a jar lifter and put the lid back on the pot.

Process (boil) the jars for 10 minutes, then turn off heat and let the jars rest for 5 minutes before carefully removing the jars and placing on a towel-lined countertop.

Let the jars rest for at least 24 hours before checking for a seal, labeling, and storing in a cool, dark place. Sealed jars can be stored for 18 months.

Any jars that do not seal should be stored in the refrigerator.

What kind of vinegar should I use?

When it comes to pickles, you can use a wide variety of vinegar. Make sure that your vinegar is at least 5% acidity for a proper pickle; nearly all vinegars at the grocery store are appropriate.

If you don’t want the vinegar to impart any extra flavor, use distilled white vinegar.

Other options include rice wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.

You can also use red wine vinegar, but keep in mind it will color the pickles.

Ways to use pickled radishes

Crunchy pickled radishes are delicious when added to lots of dishes, just like pickled red onions.

If you enjoy spicy foods, pickled radishes can balance out that heat. Traditionally they are served with Korean-style fried chicken or other dishes as banchan, but you can also try them on spicy tacos.

Include a bowl in your toppings spread when making bison chili, or whip up some simple avocado toast for breakfast and add radishes on top.

You can tuck the radishes into any of your favorite sandwiches, or chop and dress up a bowl of instant noodles.

Make a batch of these quick and easy pickled radishes today!