Grilled Radishes

Before I learned how to grill radishes, I've only ever had them raw or sometimes, I'll make some quick pickled radishes. So the first time I tried this grilled radishes recipe, I was blown away by how delicious they were! And my kids loved them too, so that's an added bonus.

Grilling mellows out the sharp, peppery bite that radishes have when raw. It also gives them a smoky flavor that always makes grilled vegetables so much better than raw or roasted. A quick toss in my homemade garlic butter, and you end up with these amazing buttery, garlicky bites of tender radish with a slight crisp. Seriously addicting!

If you use those small red radishes, they also really look so pretty when plated up. It's one of my favorite ways to serve them! And did I mention they take less than 10 minutes to make?

Check out my guide to the best grilled vegetables the next time you turn on the grill!

Why You’ll Love Grilled Radishes

Here are some reasons why you'll love cooking radishes on the grill:

• Quick and easy: You only need a few minutes of prep and about 10 minutes on the grill.
• Healthy: Radishes are low in carbs and calories but high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Grilling them is a great way to add big flavor while keeping things light.
• Versatile: Enjoy them during backyard barbecues, serve with mains, or add to dishes like rice bowls and wraps.
• Milder version: Raw radishes have enzymes similar to wasabi and horseradish, and grilling takes out a lot of that spicy and peppery flavor.

Ingredients and Easy Swaps

Here is everything you need to make these grilled radish slices:

• Radish: Use any radish varieties like the classic red ones, colorful Easter egg radishes, or even larger daikon radish. Just give them a good wash, trim off the stems and roots, and slice them into evenly sized pieces. Save those radish greens or stems for other recipes!
• Garlic butter: Everything tastes better with garlic and butter including grilled radish! Homemade garlic butter is so easy to make, especially since we're using the microwave. You can also use brown butter or add some fresh herbs to make herb butter.
• Chives: The oniony bite of fresh chives adds color and flavor to grilled radish.

Got some extra radishes? They're equally tasty in Chopped Shrimp Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette and Vegetarian Tortilla Soup!

How to Grill Radishes

I usually have fresh radishes in the fridge because I love using them in salads or as a crunchy snack. But grilling them makes an easy side dish for any meal really! Here's an entirely new way to cook your radishes:

1. Prep radishes. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Combine the radishes with cooking spray (or a little olive oil), sea salt, and pepper.
2. Grill. Add the radishes to a grill basket or grill pan (or place in a large piece of foil or use skewers). Cook for 8-10 minutes, shaking the grill basket or flipping the radishes, as they begin to soften and brown. Cook until they are fork tender, but not soggy. They should be the texture of roasted vegetables.
3. Make garlic butter. While the radishes cook, add the butter, minced garlic, and chives to a small bowl. Microwave for 30-60 seconds until the butter melts and the garlic is fragrant. You can also make garlic butter in a small skillet or saucepan.
4. Season. Toss the cooked radishes with the garlic butter. Season with salt and black pepper if needed. Add fresh chives or herbs if desired.

Seasoning Ideas

The mild flavor of grilled radish makes them a blank canvas for all types of seasonings. Garlic butter is my go-to, but here are some of the must-tries as well:

• Parmesan: Add freshly grated parmesan to the garlic butter for a cheesy side dish. Or just top it with parmesan after grilling.
• Miso butter: Mix a teaspoon of white or red miso paste into softened butter for an umami-rich topping. A great alternative to garlic butter!
• Chimichurri: Bright, herby chimichurri sauce is a delicious contrast to smoky grilled radishes.
• Honey and red pepper flakes: Brush the radishes with a little honey before grilling, then sprinkle with red pepper flakes for a sweet-spicy combo. I promise, the flavors are out of this world!
• Pesto: Instead of garlic butter, toss your grilled radish in homemade basil pesto for an Italian twist.
• Cajun: Go Southern by coating them with Cajun seasoning or Blackening seasoning. Squeeze in some fresh lemon juice for a nice finish.
• Lemon pepper: The bright, zesty flavors and a little bit of heat from lemon pepper seasoning go so well with the garlic butter.
• Teriyaki sauce: Swap the garlic butter for homemade teriyaki sauce for a sweet and savory version. This is perfect to go with many Asian dishes!

Pro Tips for Grilling Radishes

Cooking radish on the grill is pretty straightforward, but these tips will ensure you get perfect results every time:

• No need to peel: Smaller radishes have thin, edible skin, so just slice them in half and they're good to go.
• Use a grill basket: Place your chopped radish in a grill basket or make a foil packet to keep them from falling through the grates.
• Space out: Arrange the radishes in a single layer with a bit of space between each one so they char instead of steam. Grill in batches if scaling up the recipe.
• Use skewers: You can skewer the radishes before grilling to make them easier to cook and eat.
• Salt the radish: Optional, but after salting your radish, let it sit for around 30 minutes. The salt will draw out some of the moisture (pat dry with a towel or tissue before grilling) and help them grill more beautifully.

What to Serve with Grilled Radish

You can enjoy grilled radish in so many ways! Here are some of our favorites:

• Burger topping: Instead of chunks, grill thin slices of radish and use as a burger topping. They're so good in this Greek Turkey Burger!
• Bowls: Mix them into bowls like Thai Bowls, Asian Rice Bowls, Salmon Poke Bowls, and even Mediterranean Bowls.
• Salads: Toss them into Blackened Steak Salad, Israeli Chopped Salad, and this phenomenal Grilled Watermelon Salad.
• Tacos: Stuff them into tacos and drizzle with chimichurri or birria sauce.
• Veggie skewers: Make grilled vegetable skewers with chunks of radish, onion, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, and other veggies.
• Wraps: Add them to all kinds of wraps with cooked fillings such as Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps, Thai Beef Cabbage Wraps, or in this savory Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps with Quinoa.