This Watermelon Radish Salad with Lemon Chia Seed Vinaigrette has many mouthwatering components, including mandarin oranges, candied walnuts, goat cheese, and shallots.
One of my most favorite things to work with in the kitchen is gorgeous produce. It’s safe to say the Watermelon Radish is queen of them all. It may seem boring from the outside, but when you slice into it, it’s pretty darn magical!
I had my hopes set high when I ventured off to Whole Foods back in May to find these beauties. Sadly, at that point, I had no luck. It wasn’t until this past weekend when a beige-colored beet looking thing poked it’s roots out at me. I literally gasped once I realized what it was, and I’m sure I startled the people around me, but hey. Pretty produce is exciting, guys!
Due to the fact that I’d never even seen a Watermelon Radish in person before (let alone prepare a dish with one), my knowledge in how it could be used was limited. What I did know was this: I wanted it to be the star.
What does the Watermelon Radish taste like?
Not melons, sorry to disappoint. Named after it’s vibrant pink center, this fancy-ass radish tastes like any other ol’ radish – slightly sweet and a little peppery. With that in mind, throwing together a vibrant salad seemed like the right thing to do. I know a salad sounds kind of boring in theory but, with the right elements, it can turn into quite a big deal.
And trust me, it did.
The Dressing
For the vinaigrette, I wanted to keep it simple but I also wanted to add some acidity to the sweet and tangy flavors. This is why I went with a lemon-y flavor. It’s tame enough to not steal the show, but acidic enough to make up for the lack of tartness in the salad.
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Watermelon Radish Salad with Lemon Chia Seed Vinaigrette
Ingredients
SALAD1.5 oz baby spinach (approx. 3 cups)
- 1 watermelon radish best with a mandolin on the thinnest setting, sliced very thin
- 1 tablespoon of minced shallots
- 2 tablespoons of candied walnuts
- 2 oz mandarin orange slices
- oz .5 of goat cheese crumbled
- Microgreens for garnish optional
VINAIGRETTE1/2 teaspoon chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar can use white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon shallots
- 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
SALADToss all of the ingredients together in a bowl. If making a large amount for guests, you may plate it on a platter for visual appeal.
- Drizzle vinaigrette on top. Toss to coat.
Ahh! This salad is a feast for my eyes — I just LOVE everything about this recipe, Dana! I also love the innovative use of chia seeds. Pinned!
Definitely an interesting use of chia seeds! I am not a fan but curious to try my lemon vinaigrette and sub chia for poppy seeds! Such a pretty plate!
Salads are not boring to me at all! I love them and I’d love this combination of flavors. Never had a watermelon radish before, but I’m sure it pairs wonderful with this gorgeous looking, mouthwatering salad!
I’ve only come across watermelon radishes once and they have to be the prettiest vegetable there is! Gorgeous salad :)
Thanks, Meaghan! I’m with you – I can’t think of a prettier vegetable. Though romanesco is quite gorgeous with it’s fractal formations – I am still on the lookout for one of those bad boys!
So colorful and summer-y! I’ve never had watermelon radish, I’m intrigued!!
Thanks, Shinee! It’s really lovely. Hopefully you can find some kicking around your produce section soon!
Nice and vibrant looking salad and nicely captured.
Thanks!
Those are the most beautiful radishes I have ever seen. Look at that color! Stunning! I would die for this salad right now.
Thanks, Olivia! I’m definitely looking forward to finding more uses for them :)
oooo those radishes are GORGEOUS! I haven’t seen them in my markets yet.. it’s a shame they don’t taste like a watermelon radish hybrid!!! lol.
Thanks, Sarah! Aren’t they stunning? I really hope you can find some. Haha – it really is too bad they don’t have a bit of a sweet, melon-y flair!
This salad looks gorgeous! I’ve never seen watermelon radish in my local markets yet either, but rest assured, if I did I would be just as excited as you are! I think my husband is finally getting used to my excitement over produce and going grocery shopping :)
Until I can find watermelon radishes, I am definitely making that beautiful salad dressing for my salads. It sounds divine!
Thanks, Dini! Pair this salad with those drinks you recently posted and I think we’d have the most colorful and stunning party tablescape ever!
Haha, I hear you on the husband thing! Mine was perusing the meat section when I basically danced over to him flailing the watermelon radishes in the air. Luckily he’s a good sport.
I hope you love the dressing, and I really hope you can find these radishes soon! Next on my unique produce list is romanesco. I never see it anywhere, darnit.
Love the colors in your salad. I am always looking for colors to add to my salad. I do not think I have seen a watermelon radish. I will definitely keep my eyes open. I love what you did with them.
Thanks, Peter! I really hope you can find them. They add such a nice crispness to salad and, of course, that stunning pop of color!
YEEEEEESSSS. God, they’re so friggin’ pretty aren’t they? But kudos for actually playing with the flavours and finding a way to tie it all together. Cool use of chia seeds too. Now that you’re part of the watermelon radish club, have you ever used black radishes? If watermelon radishes are the queen, black radishes are the slightly scary brooding estranged prince who’s not in line for the throne but might just make a move for the crown. They’re black as earth on the outside, ivory white on the inside, and they pack WAY more punch than the average radish. I make pickles out of them and they’re AMAZING.
Thanks, Sean! I haven’t used black radishes, but damn do they ever look cool. They also sound like they should be a character in Game of Thrones, ha! I love the idea of pickling them, though.
The next awesome piece of unicorn produce on my “must find” list is romanesco. They are so gorgeous with their fractal formations. If history repeats itself, you’ll find some before I do! Haha :P