This watermelon radish and cucumber salad is simple, yet vibrant and beautiful. Watermelon radishes are one of mother nature’s most stunning veggies and always brighten up any salad.
I’ve been wanting to make a salad with watermelon radishes for quite a while. Their beauty has me mesmerized. But as is usually the case, my local farmer’s market and Whole Foods haven’t been carrying them. So when I did see them pop up in Whole Foods this week, I immediately grabbed handfuls of them!
What are Watermelon Radishes?
Watermelon radishes are an heirloom variety of daikon radish. And from the outside, you might think they’re a round version of a parsnip, albeit a little more whitish green. Kinda plain jane. But when you slice into it – POW – a brilliant, fuchsia interior that’s just waiting for you to put it on display.
Creating a Watermelon Radish Salad
My goal with this salad was to keep it elegantly simple. Just super thin slice of watermelon radish and cucumber, along with microgreens and a new favorite of mine – black lava salt. Oh, yes – black lava salt! When I first saw this on Instagram, I knew I had to have it. I’m kind of a salt fiend.
And making this salad is as easy as alternating the layers of watermelon radish and cucumber, topping with microgreens and sprinkling with black lava salt.
So how does this salad taste? Well, it’s sweet, slightly peppery and crispy with hints of salty in all the right bites. In fact, I was debating if it even needed a dressing as I didn’t want to take away from the simplicity (or the color). So I opted for a simple lemon vinaigrette. Just a smidge of lemon to brighten up the salad even further (if that’s even possible?).
If you have watermelon radishes available where you’re at, give this salad a whirl. I promise whoever you make it for will be most impressed. Now, I just need to figure out a couple of other recipes to make with the remaining watermelon radishes that I’ve got. Any ideas?
For more healthy salad recipes, make sure to check out my Orange, Fennel and Avocado Salad, Easy Cucumber Salad, Zucchini Noodle Caprese, BLT Salad, and Watermelon, Cucumber and Feta Salad.
Enjoy!
Description
Ingredients
- 4 watermelon radishes
- 1 large cucumber
- 1 1/2 cups microgreens
- 1 tsp black lava salt
- 1/2 recipe lemon vinaigrette
Instructions
- Use a mandoline to slice very thin slices of the watermelon radishes and cucumber.
- Plate the salads by alternating slices or radish, cucumber and small handfuls of microgreens. Sprinkle the black lava salt on top.
- Make the lemon vinaigrette and drizzle on top of the salad.
Lisa's Tips
- This is my favorite mandoline for making extra thin slices for salads.
- If you'd like a creamier dressing, you could always opt for my lemon tahini dressing as well.
Nutrition
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Awesome! I omitted Dijon (SO doesn’t like) in dressing and used lime juice instead! So so good! Simple fresh and extremely tasty! Threw a little blue cheese on the salad as well!
Sounds great with those tweaks – enjoy!
Thank you for sharing colorful food!
Radishes of all types are HIGHLY Under-rated! THX for this extra beautiful and simple, exquisite-looking salad! of course, “watermelon” radishes are great to just munchie-munch straight after washing and trimmed. Organic, it is a fab Filler snacky-pooh to have around all the time for those weight-watcher moments when one needs to quell hunger pangs between meals … and it actually brightens one teeth and can clear your sinuses.
This is a stunning salad that also happens to be delicious! So fabulous with fresh summer produce!
Hi Jenn- Definitely a go-to summer salad recipe :)
Fantastic salad to make this time of the year. And those colors are absolutely amazing – yum!
This is my absolute favorite salad recipe! We make it often every summer!
This is a beautiful salad. Watermelon radishes sound divine. I need to find them and try this salad.
Hi Andrea- The radish definitely adds freshness to this!
I found this recipe looking for what to make with watermelon radish and I’m so glad I did! I loved the flavors here with the lava salt.
Hi Jamie- Happy to hear you loved this fresh salad just in time for summer :)
I love watermelon radishes, and this salad is gorgeous!
Congrats on the eBook, it sounds amazing! Having just gone through the whole process of creating an eBook and cleanse program recently, I totally sympathize! haha But you’re dpne now, so you can catch your breath :)
The first book/program is always the hardest, right? Guess that means we’re old pro’s now! ;) Thanks lovely! x
Ooh, definitely a lucky Whole Foods find! Wonderful winter salad creation. MAJOR congratulations on the official e-book launch! So fabulous! And for the remaining watermelon radishes… what about using them on top of a healthy flatbread/pizza type dish?
Thanks so much Liz – I greatly appreciate all your support! And YES – a pizza type dish would be awesome – brilliant! I could even do a cauliflower crust! Hmmm….the wheels are turning…. ;) xo