Cucumber Radish Salad

Make a fresh & vibrant cucumber radish salad with peppery radish, crisp red onion, crunchy cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and optional hearty chickpeas with a bright vinaigrette!

Vibrant Cucumber and Radish Salad Recipe

For years, vegans have been accused of existing on so-called ‘rabbit food’ and, while that couldn’t be further from the truth (look at our dessert recipes!), there’s nothing wrong with making the most of quality, seasonal produce at their finest to produce quick, delicious salads like this cucumber radish salad for everyone to enjoy.  

This Mediterranean cucumber tomato radish salad is super fresh, crisp, and loaded with vibrant colors, textures, and flavors – all tossed in a bright vinaigrette. It’s also packed full of nutrients, antioxidants, and healthy fats. You can even throw in a can of chickpeas for extra protein, fiber, and filling power.

Best of all, it can be prepared in minutes, and it’s perfect for serving as a refreshing side or main during warm, summery months, at lunch, picnics, potlucks, BBQs, and more. Looking for even more ways to enjoy radishes and cucumbers? Try pickled carrots and Daikon, cucumber and bell pepper salad, or spicy sugar snap peas and radish.

The Ingredients and Substitutes

The Cucumber Tomato Radish Salad

• Radishes: We used peppery red radishes (ensure they’re smooth and firm), but feel free to experiment with other types of radishes.
• Cucumber: Use a thin-peel, low-seed variety like Persian/English cucumber.
• Red onion: Or shallots for a milder flavor. Another way to make a milder flavor is to soak the red onion in ice water for 10 minutes.
• Cherry tomatoes: Or mini plum tomatoes.
• Chickpeas: (Optional) for added protein and hearty fiber in the salad. White beans, like cannellini beans or butter beans, will work, too.

The Vinaigrette

• Vinegar: We used rice vinegar, but apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar also works.
• Sweetener: Balance the tang with some sweetness in the form of agave, maple, or even a sugar-free liquid sweetener. Adjust the amount to taste.
• Dijon mustard: For tang and subtle heat. Yellow mustard works in a pinch.
• Olive oil: To provide a richer, silkier mouthfeel and help coat the veggies.  
• Fresh dill: Dill pairs particularly well with radishes, though other herbs, like green onions, chives, mint, or cilantro, will work. Radish leaves work, too.
• Garlic powder: Or use 2-3x the amount of fresh minced garlic cloves.
• Salt & black pepper: To season the radish salad, to taste.

Make a creamy dressing with the addition of dairy-free Greek yogurt. Alternatively, try this radish cucumber salad with our basil pesto dressing – it’s nutty, herbal, rich flavor is delicious with the crisp, fresh vegetables!

What Could I Add to Salad with Radishes?

• Other vegetables: Boost this recipe for radish salad with:
  • Beetroot (thinly sliced or julienned)
• • Fennel (thinly shaved)
• • Carrot (thinly shaved or shredded)
  • Celery (thinly sliced)
• Avocado: To add a soft, creamy element to the cucumber radish salad with plenty of healthy fats and antioxidants. Add it just before serving.
• Apple: Use a tart green apple, thinly shaved/sliced, for a crisp, sweet tang to this fresh radish cucumber salad recipe.
• Leafy greens: Like baby arugula, spinach, massaged kale, etc.
• Vegan cheese: Like a crumble of vegan feta for a salty, creamy flavor or thinly shaved vegan parmesan.
• Nuts/seeds: To add crunch, healthy fats, and protein. I.e., walnuts, sesame seeds, pine nuts, pepitas/pumpkin seeds, etc.
• Spice: Add some heat with red pepper flakes or chili powder in the dressing or some finely sliced/minced jalapeño in the red radish salad.

How to Make Cucumber Radish Salad

• Use a mandoline or food processor blade to slice the radishes.

• Combine all the dressing ingredients in a large salad bowl and mix well. Taste and adjust any element then set it aside.

• Meanwhile, use a mandoline or food processor blade to slice the cucumber, and red onion very thinly.

• Add them to the bowl of dressing with the garbanzo beans (if using), mix well, and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving (overnight is even better!).

• When ready, mix well, and serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy!

FAQs

Recipe Pro Tips

• Use a mandoline: This will ensure thin, even slices and get the salad prep done in no time at all. Just be careful with it – it’s sharp!
• Leave it to marinate: Make the cucumber radish salad at least 30 minutes in advance (but a few hours or overnight is best) to allow the veggies to soak up some of the dressing and all the flavors to meld for the best overall flavor.
• Taste and adjust the dressing: Do so immediately after preparing it and then again just before serving (once the flavors have melded).
• Adjust the texture: Adjust the thickness of the cucumber and radishes to determine how crisp vs. crunchy the salad will be.

Storage Information

We highly recommend preparing this cucumber radish dill salad at least 30 minutes in advance, but a few hours or overnight is even better.

Once ready, any leftover tomato and radish salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

More Easy Vegan Salad Recipes

• Mediterranean lentil chickpea salad
• Spicy cucumber salad
• Raw carrot salad
• Marinated cucumber dill salad
• Greek cucumber salad
• Vegan Caesar salad

Photos by Alfonso Revilla