Fermented Radish Slices Recipe (2024)

  • Fermentation
  • Pickling
  • Radishes

These pickles are crisp, tangy, and good for digestion.

By

Marisa McClellan

Marisa McClellan

Marisa McClellan is a food writer, canning teacher, and the voicebehind the long-running food blog Food in Jars. She is the author ofFood in Jars(2012),Preserving by the Pint(2014),Naturally Sweet Food in Jars(2016), andThe Food In Jars Kitchen(2019).

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated January 11, 2023

Trending Videos

Fermented Radish Slices Recipe (1)

Why It Works

  • This recipe uses salt and natural bacteria to create a fermented, digestion-friendly pickle.
  • Use a large quart jar for the radishes, and a small quarter pint far as a weight to keep the vegetables submerged.

The radish is an amazingly handy and versatile little root. It grows incredibly fast (ready to pick just 28-30 days after the seeds go into the ground); it's full of bright, peppery flavor (the hotter the season, the spicier they'll be); and it can be eaten raw, braised, smeared with butter, or pickled.

Of all the possible radish treatments, I'm particularly fond of them when pickled (though crunching through several buttered and salted French breakfast radishes is never bad either). My default radish pickle isthis slightly sweet quick version. What's so nice about that one is that it takes all of seven minutes to put together from start to finish and it is ready to eat within just a day or two.

Fermented Radish Slices Recipe (2)

I'll be the first to declare that the quick pickled version is delicious (and so good on a homemade taco). However, when I'm in no rush to go from radish to pickle, there's another method that results in a wonderfully crisp, tangy finished product that I actually like even better than the vinegar variation. If you haven't guessed it by now, I'm talking about a fermented radish.

"It's the process of allowing beneficial bacteria to grow within the food, transforming sugar and starches into tart lactic acid."

Fermentation is one of the oldest method for food preservation. It's the process of allowing beneficial bacteria to grow within food, transforming sugar and starches into tart lactic acid. It's howsauerkraut,preserved lemons, and the classic deli kosher dill are made, and in addition to creating wonderful flavor, it also makes for a healthier, digestion-friendly pickle.

Fermented Radish Slices Recipe (3)

When you ferment, it's important to keep the vegetable fully submerged in the brine. I like to use a wide mouth quart jar as my primary vessel and then use a little quarter pint jar filled with a bit of brine as the weight. If you don't have a little jar that will fit, you can also fill a zip top bag with some of the brine and use that as your weight.

Fermented Radish Slices Recipe (4)

Make sure that both your primary jar and the weight (either smaller jar or bag) are scrupulously clean. Because fermentation is a process of allowing bacteria to work, you want to ensure you've got good beneficial bacteria and not harmful ones.

This recipe uses a 5% salt solution. To achieve that, bring 4 cups of water to a boil and stir in 3 tablespoons of sea salt until dissolved. Let it cool completely before using. This solution can be used for any number of fermented vegetables.

June 2012

Recipe Details

Fermented Radish Slices Recipe

Active30 mins

Total120 hrs

Serves16to 20 servings

Makes1 quart

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons sea salt

  • 1 1/2 poundsfresh radishes, washed, trimmed, and cut into 1/2 to 1/4-inch thick slices

Directions

  1. Wash one wide mouth quart jar and one quarter pint jar well.

  2. Bring water and salt to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat. Remove from heat, stir until salt dissolves, and let cool to room temperature.

  3. Pack radish slices in the clean quart jar and cover with cooled brine, leaving about an inch of headspace.

  4. Fit the quarter pint jar into the mouth of the quart jar. Pour the remaining brine into the quarter pint jar. Press the quarter pint jar down, until the brine reaches the rim of the quart jar, so that the radishes are completely submerged.

  5. Let radishes sit on your counter for 5-7 days, until the brine goes slightly cloudy and the radishes taste quite tart. When they’ve reached the level of tang you like, remove the quarter pint jar, place a lid on the quart jar and refrigerate.

Special Equipment

1 wide mouth quart jar, 1 quarter pint jar

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
5Calories
0g Fat
1g Carbs
0g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16to 20
Amount per serving
Calories5
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g0%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 208mg9%
Total Carbohydrate 1g0%
Dietary Fiber 1g2%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 5mg25%
Calcium 9mg1%
Iron 0mg1%
Potassium 79mg2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Fermented Radish Slices Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is fermented radish good for you? ›

Fermented Radishes are a tasty way to get your probiotics! Enjoy them in a salad, on a crudités plate, or solo as a snack. They have a delightful peppery pickle-like flavor. Radishes are packed with nutritional benefits as well.

What is the difference between fermented and pickled radishes? ›

They both produce a sour flavor, but pickles are sour because they are soaked in an acidic, vinegar-based brine, while fermented foods are sour because of a chemical reaction between naturally present sugars and bacteria known as lacto-fermentation.

Are radishes a probiotic? ›

Radishes are packed with potassium, fiber, magnesium and vitamin B. Fermenting enhances the health value of radishes by introducing beneficial lacto-bacteria, which act as a probiotic for your gut. Also, try our Sweet & Spicy Pickled Radish recipe for another easy way to enjoy your harvest.

How to store fermented radishes? ›

Once the radishes are fermented, remove the weight, place a regular lid on the jar, and store them in the refrigerator for 3 to 6 months. If the fermented radishes are stored at room temperature, they will continue to ferment, and the jar could explode.

What should not be eaten with radishes? ›

  1. Dec 6, 2023, 08:52 PM IST. 5 Foods You Must Never Pair With Radish. ...
  2. Radish and Milk. ...
  3. Radish and Cucumber. ...
  4. Radish and Oranges. ...
  5. Radish and Bitter Gourd. ...
  6. Radish and Tea.
Dec 6, 2023

Do radishes detox the liver? ›

Radish contains compounds like glucosinolates that may assist the liver in its natural detoxification processes. These compounds support the breakdown and elimination of toxins from the body.

Which is healthier pickled or fermented? ›

An easy way to remember the difference between the two despite their overlap is that pickling involves putting food into an acidic brine to produce a sour flavor, whereas fermenting gives food a sour flavor without any added acid. Pickling is often the least healthy choice in terms of these two foods.

Why do Koreans eat pickled radish? ›

Danmuji is pickled daikon radish, and is a key ingredient in kimbap as well as a garnish to a variety of dishes, including Korean porridge. With a unique tangy flavor, pickled daikon radish adds complexity, texture, and a nutritional boost to any meal.

Are fermented foods better than pickled foods? ›

The differences in their preservation does result in several differences in their available health benefits. The main difference in the health benefits between pickled and fermented foods lies in their probiotic properties. Fermentation generates more beneficial bacteria in foods, making them probiotic.

Are radishes anti inflammatory? ›

Radishes are heart-friendly thanks to being a source of sulforaphane as well as other plant compounds, like anthocyanins. With a protective antioxidant action, these plant compounds help reduce the inflammatory damage caused by oxidative stress, a process which plays a key role in the development of heart disease.

What organs are radishes good for? ›

Boosts liver and kidney function: Radish aids in liver detoxification and heals against damage. It also helps flush out toxins from the kidney. Provides antioxidants: Anthocyanin present in radish gives it its red color.

Are radishes good for gut bacteria? ›

Radishes contain compounds called arabiongalactans (say that five times fast), which good bacteria in the intestinal tract thrive on. “They are a wonderful snack food—filling, nutritious, and nourishing to your microbiome,” writes Dr. Kellman.

How long is fermented radish shelf life? ›

It was observed that the fermented radish could be stored up for a period of 15 days under refrigerated conditions without any spoilage.

What to do with an abundance of radishes? ›

Finely diced radishes mixed with red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime make a peppery and crunchy salsa, a nice addition to any taco. Radishes can also be roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper at 450ºF for 15 to 20 minutes or until caramelized and tender.

Does Korean pickled radish go bad? ›

They can become soft and soggy, with a more dull taste. Homemade pickled radishes last up to six months in the refrigerator, but are best enjoyed within three months. Store-bought pickled radishes might have a similar lifespan, but it's best to consult the label on the jar for storage guidelines.

What is the healthiest fermented food? ›

Fermented Foods for Gut Health
  • Miso (refrigerated)
  • Pickles (in salt, not vinegar)
  • Sauerkraut (choose refrigerated)
  • Kimchi.
  • Kombucha (no sugar)
  • Other probiotic drinks (no sugar), like beet Kvass, apple cider.
  • Various other cultured products.
  • You can also easily make fermented vegetables, such as sauerkraut at home!
Jun 19, 2019

Is it okay to eat pickled radish everyday? ›

They are just as nutritious as fresh vegetables. That being said, it is worth noting that the pickling process does use a lot of salt and sugar. It is important to keep this in mind and, just like everything else, eat pickled radishes in moderation.

What does fermented vegetables do to your body? ›

Fermented Vegetables Are Easier to Digest

They create enzymes and break down some of the large molecules that are difficult to assimilate by our digestive system. Among other things, fermentation reduces carbohydrates as well as some components (oligosaccharides) that cause flatulence and digestion problems.

What does radish root ferment do? ›

For our water-soluable products we use a radish root ferment as our main preservative. Rather than acting like a standard antibiotic, wiping out all bacteria, it acts more like a pro-biotic, colonizing the product with good bacteria that will keep the bad out.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Last Updated:

Views: 6316

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: The Hon. Margery Christiansen

Birthday: 2000-07-07

Address: 5050 Breitenberg Knoll, New Robert, MI 45409

Phone: +2556892639372

Job: Investor Mining Engineer

Hobby: Sketching, Cosplaying, Glassblowing, Genealogy, Crocheting, Archery, Skateboarding

Introduction: My name is The Hon. Margery Christiansen, I am a bright, adorable, precious, inexpensive, gorgeous, comfortable, happy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.