Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my radish salad recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Vegetables – The classic version my mom makes just has cucumbers and radishes, but honestly, toss in whatever crunchy veggies you’re into. Firm ones hold up best against that creamy dressing. One time, I swapped in sugar snap peas for the cucumbers, and it was so good! You can also try carrots, red onion, bell peppers, or even some sliced jicama for that extra crunch. Sour Cream – This is the base of the creamy dressing. Greek yogurt works great instead if you want something lighter. Fresh Herbs – My family usually makes this radish salad with only fresh dill, but I like to add fresh chives to mine, too. You can also try other summer herbs, such as parsley, basil, or even mint. I don’t recommend dried herbs here, though. Olive Oil – This thins out the dressing a bit. I went with regular olive oil, but you can sub in extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil. Lemon Juice – For some extra tang. White wine vinegar makes a pretty good substitute if you need one. Seasonings – Just a little garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper.
How To Make Radish Salad
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card. I love the creamy dressing here, but this salad is just as refreshing with a lighter oil-based dressing. Try it with my zesty lemon vinaigrette, or the one from my tomato cucumber avocado salad.
Storage & Meal Prep
Store: Cover and store your radish cucumber salad in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The cucumbers do soften and release some water, but I still love it. Meal prep: See my tips above if you want to prep a few hours ahead, but if you want to make it 2-3 days in advance, I recommend keeping the dressing and veggies separate until the day-of.
Serving Suggestions
This cucumber radish salad is the epitome of summer, so I love pairing it with warm-weather mains! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Slice the veggies very thinly. You can do it by hand with a sharp knife, but I love using my mandoline slicer to get extra thin rounds. The texture is so much better! Make the dressing in the same bowl. Many salad recipes call for mixing the dressing separately and then pouring over the salad, but I love a good summer shortcut. I mix the dressing in the large bowl first, then add the veggies and toss. Hooray for less dishes to wash! If you’re making ahead, drain the cucumbers in a colander. I usually serve it right away and skip this step, but if you prep it in advance, draining prevents the salad from getting watery. Simply sprinkle the cucumbers with salt and drain in a colander over the sink for 15-30 minutes first. Rinse, pat dry, and proceed with the radish salad recipe as usual. Have extra radishes from the farmers market? My fried radishes or roasted radishes are the perfect way to use them up.
Burgers – Fire up that grill and make my burger recipe or turkey burger recipe! It’s seriously one of my fave summer combos with this salad. Seafood – Try my grilled shrimp skewers or grilled salmon for a breezy dinner. And for those special date nights at home? This radish salad is absolutely perfect with grilled lobster tails or grilled halibut. Chicken – You can use these same fresh herbs for my chicken kabobs! For a simpler dinner, make my grilled chicken legs or pan fried chicken thighs. Lamb – I like lamb kofta for some fun food on a stick, but air fryer lamb chops are always a treat. Pork – I’m not a huge pork fan, but I do love me some grilled pork chops and pork souvlaki. They pair perfectly with this creamy side dish.
More Summer Salad Recipes
Fresh salads are one of the best parts of summer! Try one of my others soon: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. It sure feels different after the shiny new one we saved up for in Florida, but I’m grateful for all the memories it holds. What was your first kitchen like?
