Roasted Watermelon Radishes

Name: Roasted Watermelon Radishes with Lemon and Herb
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 pound watermelon radishes ( trimmed and quartered); 2 tbsp coconut oil (or other nuetral oil); 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tbsp fresh parsley ( finely chopped); 1 lemon (juice and zest)

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Roasted watermelon radishes with lemon and parsley are a bright addition to your winter table. This vegan side dish recipe screams sunshine on winter's short dark days.

A simple roasting of the radishes brings out their sweetness and makes for a nice change from the standard pickled radish or thinly sliced watermelon radish salad. This watermelon radish recipe is easy to make with just a handful of ingredients.

Cooked watermelon radishes in a white bowl with parsley.

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We are in the shortest days of the year right now. And all things local and tasty are lovely dark fall colors. But every now and then I need something bright and cheery. I need hope that spring will in fact return someday. This is where these colorful radishes come to my rescue.

They look a little plain on the outside but the slightest bit of pink tells us something fabulous is going on the inside.

It is like wearing a practical wool coat and then ripping it off to reveal a Diana Ross-style glitter dress. The vivid color of bright pink flesh gives me giggles of happiness.

We are dedicated to the best watermelon radish recipes. We have rounded up the best watermelon radish recipes for you so be sure to check them all out.

📖Why This Recipe Works

A few great things about this watermelon radish recipe, it is:

Vegan/ Vegetarian
Gluten-Free
Dairy-Free
Paleo

But roasting watermelon radishes is much easier for non-radish lovers to handle than pickling or raw which makes them the perfect gateway radish. Plus, they are so pretty no picky eater is going to look at them say… 'oh, no I don't do radishes'.

I try to pair watermelon radishes with main courses that are tasty, but maybe not as bright as I would like. For example, our gluten-free chicken nuggets or grilled bavette steak. Tasty, but brown.

🔪 How to Make Roasted Watermelon Radishes

Unlike most roasted root vegetables, radishes are rather forgiving on temperature and cook time. Both can be adjusted to whatever else you may have going in the oven. Which essentially makes this one of the easiest side dishes ever.

Okay, maybe not as easy as our 10 Minute Sauteed Greens, but close. Very close.

Step 1- Prep the Raw Watermelon Radishes

Watermelon radish prep is easy to manage. No excessive peeling or scrubbing. A quick rinse, trim the ends, and quarter or cut in ¾ inch wedges if you have some extra-large specimens. Do not peel the radishes.

If you have the greens attached you can wash them and saute them up just like spinach.

Raw watermelon radishes on cutting board.

Step 2- Roast the Radishes

Watermelon radishes are best roasted at 375 F degrees for 30 minutes. The radishes should be spread in a single flat layer.

Be sure to toss halfway through and rotate the pan for even cooking.

In this recipe we use melted coconut oil, however, you can use ghee, olive oil, or avocado oil. We salt and pepper the radishes before roasting.

Step 3- Serve

A toss with fresh parsley and lemon zest at the end adds some additional color to the dish. While this step is optional it is an easy way to elevate your radishes.

If you don't have a fresh lemon toss the radishes with 2 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice. We used parsley to keep the herbs simple but you can chives, basil, or any combination of the three fresh herbs

Now dig in and enjoy! But first, let us know in the comments... what is your favorite way to eat watermelon radishes? Raw, pickled, or roasted?

🥗What to Serve with Watermelon Radishes

If you are looking for bigger flavors consider one of our many tasty sauce recipes. I think both our garlic butter sauce and the authentic chimichurri recipe are ideal pairings.

🌡️Storage

Raw watermelon radishes should be stored in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator until you use them. They will typically last for at least a week.

Cooked watermelon radishes should be kept in an airtight container and stored in the fridge. They will last 5 to 6 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.

More Delicious Side Dish Recipes

Winter doesn't have to mean boring veggies. Check out some of our other favorite winter recipes!

💬Frequently Asked Questions

What is a watermelon radish?

A watermelon radish, like common radishes, is part of the brassica family. And an heirloom variety of daikon, a Chinese radish. They have a white exterior with hints of light green and light pink exterior and a bright pink interior.

Where do you buy watermelon radishes?

Watermelon radishes can be found at your local farmer's markets and an increasing number of grocery stores. Our local grocery chain and Whole Foods regularly carry watermelon radishes.

How do you tell if a watermelon radish is ripe?

The radishes should feel firm and heavy for their size. The skin should be crack and wrinkle-free. Avoid watermelon radishes that feel spongy when squeezed.

Watermelon radish can vary greatly in size, from smaller than a golf ball to much larger than a tennis ball.

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