As the weather warms up and the days get longer, it's time to start thinking about refreshing and light meals that are perfect for spring and summer. This radish salad with lemon vinaigrette is just the thing!
Packed with crunchy radishes, sweet mandarin oranges, and tangy goat cheese, this salad is not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients. It's the perfect meal option for those who want something healthy, easy to make, and full of flavor.
Serve this salad with my Baked Calamari for a full meal! also try my Avocado & Radish Green Salad.
Why You'll Love this Radish Salad
- Refreshing and flavorful: The combination of crunchy radishes, sweet mandarin oranges, and tangy goat cheese creates a refreshing and flavorful taste that is perfect for a light and healthy meal.
- Nutrient-dense: This salad is packed with essential nutrients such as fiber, vitamin C, and potassium from the radishes and mandarin oranges. The goat cheese also provides a good source of protein and calcium, which are essential for building and maintaining strong bones and muscles.
- Easy to make: With only a handful of ingredients and a simple lemon vinaigrette, this salad is easy to make and perfect for a quick and healthy meal option.
- Versatile: This salad can be easily customized to fit your personal taste preferences. Feel free to add or substitute ingredients such as avocado, cucumber, or arugula to create your own unique spin on this refreshing salad.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Radishes: Radishes add a crunchy and slightly spicy element to the salad. If you're not a fan of radishes, you can substitute them with thinly sliced cucumbers or jicama.
- Mandarin Oranges: Mandarin oranges add a burst of sweetness to the salad, complementing the radishes perfectly. If you can't find mandarin oranges, you can use regular oranges or substitute them with diced apples or pears.
- Spring Mix: The spring mix adds a variety of textures and flavors to the salad, including a hint of bitterness from the greens. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can use baby spinach or arugula.
- Mint: Mint adds a refreshing and aromatic element to the salad, balancing out the sweetness of the mandarin oranges. If you don't have mint, you can substitute it with basil or cilantro.
- Walnuts: Walnuts add a nutty and slightly bitter element to the salad, as well as a crunchy texture. If you're allergic to nuts, you can substitute them with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- Goat Cheese: Goat cheese adds a tangy and creamy element to the salad, complementing the other flavors perfectly. If you don't like goat cheese, you can substitute it with feta or blue cheese.
- Lemon Vinaigrette: The lemon vinaigrette ties all the flavors together, adding a tangy and slightly sweet element to the salad. If you prefer a different dressing, you can substitute it with balsamic vinaigrette or honey mustard dressing.
Equipment Needed
- A small bowl for mixing the lemon vinaigrette
- A sharp knife and cutting board for slicing the radishes and segmenting the mandarin oranges
- A measuring spoon for measuring out the lemon juice, salt, and pepper for the vinaigrette
- A serving plate for arranging the salad
- A fork for crumbing the goat cheese and tossing the salad with the vinaigrette
- Optional: a microplane or zester for zesting the lemon, and a mortar and pestle for crushing the mint leaves before tearing them
How to Make this Radish Salad
To make this radish salad with lemon vinaigrette, start by preparing the lemon vinaigrette. In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of fine salt, and ⅛ teaspoon of ground black pepper. If you like, you can also add the zest of ½ lemon for extra flavor. Whisk the ingredients together until the vinaigrette is well combined, then set it aside.
Next, prepare the salad ingredients. Trim and clean a bunch of radishes, then thinly slice them using a sharp knife. Peel and segment 2 mandarin oranges, and tear 2 sprigs of mint leaves into small pieces. Chop 1 cup of walnuts and crumble some fresh goat cheese.
To assemble the salad, start by arranging a handful of spring mix lettuce on a serving plate. Add the sliced radishes, segmented mandarin oranges, and torn mint leaves on top of the lettuce. Sprinkle the chopped walnuts and crumbled goat cheese over the salad.
Finally, drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and toss everything together. Make sure that all the ingredients are coated with the vinaigrette. Serve the salad immediately and enjoy the refreshing and flavorful combination of ingredients.
Watch this video for a step-by-step visual.
Variations
- Add protein: If you want to make this salad more filling, try adding a protein source such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Simply cook your chosen protein and add it to the salad along with the other ingredients.
- Swap out the cheese: While goat cheese pairs nicely with the flavors in this salad, you can also try using feta or blue cheese for a different taste.
- Use different citrus: While mandarin oranges add a sweet and juicy element to the salad, you can also try using other citrus fruits such as grapefruit or blood oranges.
- Add more veggies: This salad can easily be bulked up with additional vegetables such as sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, or roasted beets.
- Change up the nuts: Walnuts add a nice crunch to the salad, but you can also try using pecans, almonds, or pistachios for a different texture.
- Experiment with the herbs: While mint is a great addition to this salad, you can also try using other herbs such as basil, cilantro, or parsley to add a different flavor profile.
FAQ's
Can I make the salad ahead of time?
While you can prep the ingredients ahead of time, it's best to wait until just before serving to add the dressing. If you add the vinaigrette too early, the lettuce can wilt and the flavors can become muted.
Can I use a different type of lettuce?
Yes, you can use any type of lettuce you prefer. Butter lettuce, arugula, or mixed greens would all work well in this salad.
Can I make this salad vegan?
Yes, to make this salad vegan, simply omit the goat cheese and use maple syrup or agave nectar in place of the honey in the vinaigrette.
Can I use a different type of nut?
Yes, you can use any type of nut you prefer or have on hand. Sliced almonds, pecans, or cashews would all work well.
Can I make the vinaigrette without lemon zest?
Yes, the lemon zest is optional and can be omitted if you don't have a zester or don't want to bother with it. The vinaigrette will still taste great without it.
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?
While fresh lemon juice is recommended for the best flavor, you can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch.
Can I add other fruits to the salad?
Yes, you can add other fruits such as sliced strawberries or pomegranate seeds for a sweet and tangy twist.
Tips
- Slice the radishes thinly: For the best texture, slice the radishes as thinly as possible. This will also help to distribute the flavor more evenly throughout the salad.
- Toast the walnuts: Toasting the walnuts brings out their flavor and adds a nice crunch to the salad. To toast them, simply spread them out on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly browned.
- Use high-quality ingredients: Since this salad is simple, using high-quality ingredients will make a big difference in the flavor. Choose fresh, organic produce when possible, and use a good-quality olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice for the vinaigrette.
- Add the dressing just before serving: To prevent the salad from becoming soggy, it's best to add the vinaigrette just before serving. This will ensure that the lettuce stays crisp and the flavors are bright.
- Experiment with the ingredients: This salad is versatile, so don't be afraid to mix things up and add your own personal touch. Try different types of lettuce, nuts, and herbs to create new flavor combinations.
Looking for More Salad Recipes?
Try these great recipes.
Goat Cheese & Acorn Squash Salad
Did You Make this Recipe?
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📋 Recipe
Radish Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
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Ingredients
- Salad
- 1 bunch of radishes trimmed and cleaned, thinly sliced
- 2 peeled Mandarin Oranges segmented
- 1 handful spring mix of lettuce
- 2 sprigs of mint torn
- 1 cup walnuts chopped
- Fresh goat cheese crumbled
- Lemon Vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice from ½ large lemon
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste
- zest from ½ lemon optional
- Equipment
- Small bowl
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoon
- Serving plate
- Fork
- Optional: microplane or zester mortar and pestle
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine and stir together 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of fine salt and ⅛ teaspoon of ground black pepper. You can also add the zest from ½ lemon for an extra zingy flavor. Set aside.
- Wash and trim the radishes, then slice them thinly. Peel and segment the mandarin oranges. Tear the mint leaves into small pieces.
- Arrange a handful of spring mix lettuce on a plate, then add the sliced radishes, segmented mandarin oranges, and torn mint leaves on top.
- Sprinkle the chopped walnuts and crumbled goat cheese over the salad.
- Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette on top of the salad.
- Enjoy your delicious and refreshing radish salad with lemon vinaigrette!
Notes
- Thinly slice the radishes: For the best texture and flavor, it's important to slice the radishes as thinly as possible. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer for this.
- Segment the mandarin oranges: To make the salad look more visually appealing and easier to eat, it's best to segment the mandarin oranges. To do this, cut off both ends of the orange, then use a sharp knife to slice away the peel and white pith. Once the orange is completely peeled, gently separate the segments from each other.
- Use fresh ingredients: Since this salad relies heavily on fresh, raw ingredients, it's important to use the freshest produce possible. Choose radishes and lettuce that are crisp and bright, and use fresh mint leaves.
- Toast the walnuts: To enhance the flavor and crunch of the walnuts, consider toasting them in a dry skillet or in the oven for a few minutes before adding them to the salad.
- Drizzle the vinaigrette just before serving: To keep the salad fresh and crisp, it's best to drizzle the lemon vinaigrette on top of the salad just before serving. If you dress the salad too far in advance, the lettuce may become wilted and the flavors may become muted.
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