Refreshing Cucumber Radish Salad Recipe: A Crisp Garden Joy

Summer’s fresh bounty calls for a crisp and zesty cucumber radish salad that dances with bright, tangy flavors.

Radiant red radishes add a peppery crunch to this vibrant side dish that pairs perfectly with grilled meats.

The combination of thinly sliced cucumbers and sharp radishes creates a refreshing medley of textures and tastes.

Cool cucumber slices mingle with piquant radish rounds, creating a light and invigorating salad.

A simple yet elegant dressing brings these ingredients together in a harmonious blend.

Herbs and a splash of vinegar lift the salad natural freshness, making it an irresistible accompaniment to any summer meal.

Grab your cutting board and get ready to enjoy a burst of garden-fresh flavor that will brighten your plate.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 132 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients in Cucumber Radish Salad

• Cucumber: Crisp and hydrating base that adds refreshing crunch and light green color to the salad.
• Radishes: Peppery root vegetable that brings sharp, zesty flavor and vibrant red color to the dish.
• Shallot: Delicate onion variety with mild, sweet undertone that enhances overall salad complexity.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides deep, punchy flavor and subtle warmth to the preparation.
• Dill: Feathery herb with bright, tangy notes that elevates the salad's freshness and herbaceous character.

• Olive Oil: Smooth, rich base that helps blend flavors and creates silky texture.
• Lemon: Citrusy ingredient that adds brightness, acidity, and helps balance the salad's flavors.

• Black Pepper: Warm, spicy seasoning that adds depth and subtle heat to the final dish.
• Lemon Zest: Concentrated citrus essence that brings intense, fragrant citrus notes to the salad.

Tools to Toss a Crisp Cucumber Radish Salad

• Mandolin Slicer: Perfect for creating paper-thin, uniform vegetable slices quickly and easily.
• Sharp Knife: Backup option for slicing radishes, cucumbers, and shallots if no mandolin is available.
• Medium-Large Bowl: Spacious container for mixing and tossing salad ingredients.
• Small Bowl: Ideal for whisking together dressing ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Essential tool for blending and emulsifying dressing components.
• Cutting Board: Stable surface for chopping and slicing vegetables.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure dressing ingredients.

Instructions for Fresh Cucumber Radish Salad

• Veggie Preparation

Grab fresh radishes and cucumbers from the market. Wash them thoroughly under cool running water. Slice the veggies super thin using a mandolin or sharp kitchen knife for elegant, delicate pieces. Finely chop some shallots and garlic to add exciting flavor layers.

• Flavor Fusion

Create a zesty dressing by whisking together tangy ingredients in a small bowl. The blend will transform your simple vegetables into a vibrant, refreshing dish. Mix until the dressing looks smooth and well-combined.

• Final Touch

Pour the dressing over your sliced vegetables and gently toss everything together. The goal is to coat each piece with delicious flavor. Sprinkle some fresh dill and a hint of lemon zest on top. Add a crack of black pepper for an extra flavor punch. Serve this cool salad immediately for maximum crispness and enjoyment.

Flavor Enhancing Tips for This Simple Salad

• Use a mandolin or sharp knife to create paper-thin vegetable slices for the most delicate and elegant texture in your salad.
• Swap radishes with watermelon radishes for a beautiful pink hue, or add sliced fennel for an extra layer of crisp, anise-like flavor.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like chives, parsley, or tarragon to give the salad a unique aromatic twist that complements the peppery radish.
• Prepare the salad up to 2 hours in advance, keeping the dressing and vegetables separate until just before serving to maintain maximum crispness and prevent wilting.
• Transform this light salad into a complete meal by adding grilled shrimp, crumbled feta cheese, or sliced rotisserie chicken for extra protein and substance.

Serving Up Cucumber and Radish on a Plate

• Pair with Protein: Serve alongside grilled chicken or pan-seared fish for a light, refreshing meal that balances the crisp salad with hearty protein.
• Create a Mediterranean Spread: Arrange the cucumber radish salad with hummus, pita bread, and olives for a vibrant, colorful appetizer or light lunch that transports you to sunny coastlines.
• Elevate Picnic Experiences: Pack this salad in portable containers for outdoor gatherings, adding a zesty and cool side dish that cuts through rich barbecue flavors and provides a crunchy texture contrast.
• Boost Sandwich Companions: Use this salad as a bright, tangy side for sandwiches or as a fresh topping to add crunch and flavor to your favorite bread-based meals.

Best Way to Keep the Salad Crisp and Cool

• Chill and Refresh: Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, keeping the crisp vegetables and zesty flavors intact.
• Quick Prep Tip: Slice vegetables just before serving to maintain maximum crunchiness and prevent them from becoming watery.
• Separate Dressing Strategy: Keep the dressing in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, adding it to the salad just before eating to prevent soggy vegetables.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cucumber and radish slices a few hours in advance, storing them separately from the dressing to preserve their fresh texture and vibrant crunch.

Crisp Cucumber Radish Salad

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mediterranean cucumber radish salad combines crisp vegetables with zesty herbs and tangy dressing. Refreshing ingredients create a light, elegant side dish perfect for summer meals you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cucumbers, sliced
• 5 radishes, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup (60 ml) citrus vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• ¼ cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) maple syrup
• 1 tsp (5 ml) dijon mustard
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Rinse radishes, cucumbers, and herbs under cool water, meticulously removing any dirt or debris, then thoroughly pat dry.
2. Slicing Technique: Utilize a mandolin or ultra-sharp knife to create ethereal, translucent slices of radishes and cucumbers, maintaining consistent 1/8-inch thickness for visual and textural harmony.
3. Aromatics Preparation: Finely mince shallot and garlic, releasing their potent essence and ensuring even distribution throughout the salad.
4. Ingredient Assembly: Consolidate sliced radishes, cucumbers, minced shallot, and chopped garlic in a spacious mixing bowl, gently incorporating freshly chopped dill for aromatic complexity.
5. Dressing Creation: Whisk dressing ingredients in a separate vessel, transforming them into a silky, unified emulsion that will elevate the vegetable medley.
6. Flavor Infusion: Cascade the prepared dressing over the vegetable mixture, using a delicate folding motion to ensure comprehensive coating without compromising the ingredients’ pristine texture.
7. Finishing Touches: Garnish with vibrant lemon zest, additional dill sprigs, and a robust grind of cracked black pepper to amplify the salad’s sensory experience.
8. Serving Recommendation: Allow the salad to rest for 15-20 minutes, enabling flavors to harmonize, then serve chilled or at cool room temperature for optimal taste and presentation.

Notes

• Slice with Precision: Use a mandolin or extremely sharp knife to create uniform, paper-thin slices ensuring consistent texture and elegant presentation.
• Herb Handling: Chop herbs just before adding to maintain maximum flavor and prevent wilting, releasing their vibrant aromatics at the last moment.
• Dressing Technique: Whisk dressing ingredients thoroughly to create a smooth emulsion that coats vegetables evenly without overwhelming delicate ingredients.
• Serving Strategy: Chill salad briefly to enhance flavor melding, but serve within 2 hours of preparation to maintain crisp vegetable texture and fresh appearance.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 132
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg