Pickled Watermelon Radishes- Watermelon Radish Recipes (2024)

This is an easy pickled watermelon radish recipe perfect for adding peppery spice and crunch to your favorite dishes. These bright radishes benefit from a quick pickle that brings out their full flavor while toning down the bite that watermelon radishes are known for.

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Watermelon radishes are one of our favorite winter-to-spring veggies. I love their bright color and sharp flavor. I typically roast watermelon radishes (and yes you should try this recipe!), but every now and then we need a change.

A quick refrigerator pickle is the way to go! No waiting for fermentation!

📖Why This Recipe Works

• No canning is required and these pickled watermelon radishes keep for a week in the fridge.
• Mild in flavor, but beware they have a very strong scent.
• These watermelon radish pickles are versatile and can be used in a plethora of dishes.

What Is the Quick Pickle Method?

Quick pickles, or refrigerator pickles, as they are often called are vegetables that are brined in vinegar, water, salt, and sugar mixture.

Quick pickles don’t develop the intense flavor that fermented pickles do, but they also only require a few hours in the brine before they can be enjoyed.

Quick pickles also do not require canning when refrigerated, hence the name refrigerator pickles.

🧾Ingredient Notes

Watermelon radishes- Any size works. The fresher the radish the crisper the crunch. Save the tops of the radishes to make my easy sauteed greens recipe.

You can also use this recipe with other types of radishes.

Vinegar- This recipe calls for distilled white vinegar but you can use any light vinegar like rice vinegar, white wine vinegar, or champagne vinegar to make pickled watermelon radishes.

I have tried both red wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar but they discolor the radishes and the color is the best part of this dish!

Salt & Sugar- All quick pickles need a balance of sweet and salty.

Bay leaves, Peppercorns & Other Seasonings- Seasonings can be altered to your taste. Typically, I use bay leaf and peppercorns.

But you can use whole peeled garlic, coriander seeds, mustard seeds, whole cloves, or crushed red pepper in place of the black pepper. The total spices should be 1 tablespoon per pound of watermelon radishes.

⏲️How to Pickle Watermelon Radishes

Because we are using a quick pickle rather than a fermentation method these pickles can be ready in under 20 minutes.

However, depending on how I am planning on using them I sometimes make them several hours in advance so they can chill in the fridge.

Step 1- Prep Radishes

Rinse your watermelon radishes well and trim the ends. Cut the radishes to your preferred shapes.

I usually do rounds because I can cut them smaller later if needed. But feel free to do half rounds or matchsticks. The key to the cut is consistency in size so they pickle evenly and quickly.

Step 2-Prepare The Brine

Heat equal parts water and vinegar in a small pan until lightly boiling. Add in equal parts salt and sugar, and stir until both are dissolved.

Place the sliced radishes and seasonings in a heatproof jar or bowl. Personally, I like to use a wide-mouth mason jar.

Pour the heated mixture over the radishes.

Step 3-Pickle

Push down the radish slices to ensure they are completely submerged. You can add more water if necessary.

Once cool, allow the watermelon radishes to chill in the fridge for a minimum of 20 minutes before using. The recommended wait time is 2 hours.

Note that when you open the lid, the will smell extremely pungent but will have a light bright flavor.

How to Use Pickled Watermelon Radishes

While we eat watermelon radishes the most in the Winter, I can find them at my local grocery store all year round so we have learned to incorporate them into all sorts of dishes.

Here are some of my favorite ways to eat pickled watermelon radishes:

• On tacos, especially fish tacos or pollo asado.
• Add to a cheese board or charcuterie board.
• Julienned and added to our favorite spicy coleslaw
• On a fancy wagyu burger or grilled spicy chicken sandwich
• With sushi or sashimi (or in a poke bowl)
• To jazz up a basic garden salad or grain bowls.
• Julienned and used as a garnish on our vegan cream of celery soup
• As a garnish on a spicy Indian curry like my lamb vindaloo.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tip

Don't rush the pickling process. The radishes will be perfect if you give them just a few hours as opposed to the quick 20 minutes.

🌡️Storing

These pickles are not canned. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a month. Check the pickles regularly for spoilage and toss them out if they go bad.

But I recommend eating within 10 days for maximum crispness. If you process and can the jars, they can be stored at room temperature unopened.

More Fun Spring Vegetable Recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to know more about watermelon radishes? Check out our watermelon radish recipe guide featuring a round-up of our favorite vegetable!

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