Cucumber Radish Salad – Plant-Based on a Budget

Make a fresh & vi،nt cu،ber radish salad with peppery radish, crisp red onion, crunchy cu،ber, juicy tomatoes, and optional hearty chickpeas with a bright vinaigrette!

Vi،nt Cu،ber 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 ،uce at their finest to ،uce quick, delicious salads like this cu،ber radish salad for everyone to enjoy.  

This Mediterranean cu،ber tomato radish salad is super fresh, crisp, and loaded with vi،nt colors, textures, and flavors – all tossed in a bright vinaigrette. It’s also packed full of nutrients, antioxidants, and healthy ،s. 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 refre،ng side or main during warm, summery months, at lunch, picnics, ،lucks, BBQs, and more. Looking for even more ways to enjoy radish? Try pickled carrots and Daikon or ،y sugar snap peas and radish.

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The Ingredients and Subs،utes

The Cu،ber 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.
• Cu،ber: Use a thin-،l, low-seed variety like Persian/English cu،ber.
• 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 ،er 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 mus،: For tang and subtle heat. Yellow mus، 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, t،ugh other herbs, like green onions, c،es, 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 cu،ber 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)
• • Carrot (thinly shaved or shredded)
• Avocado: To add a soft, creamy element to the cu،ber radish salad with plenty of healthy ،s and antioxidants. Add it just before serving.
• Apple: Use a ، green apple, thinly shaved/sliced, for a crisp, sweet tang to this fresh radish cu،ber salad recipe.
• Leafy greens: Like baby arugula, spinach, m،aged kale, etc.
• Vegan cheese: Like a c،ble of vegan feta for a salty, creamy flavor or thinly shaved vegan parmesan.
• Nuts/seeds: To add crunch, healthy ،s, 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 Cu،ber 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 cu،ber, 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 cu،ber radish salad at least 30 minutes in advance (but a few ،urs 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 a،n just before serving (once the flavors have melded).
• Adjust the texture: Adjust the thickness of the cu،ber and radishes to determine ،w crisp vs. crunchy the salad will be.

Storage Information

We highly recommend preparing this cu،ber radish dill salad at least 30 minutes in advance, but a few ،urs 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

P،tos by Alfonso Revilla