If you're craving a light, refreshing side dish, this Radish Green Salad is the perfect choice. Crisp butter lettuce, creamy avocado wedges, and thinly sliced radishes tossed in a simple homemade dressing with olive oil, lemon juice, and red wine vinegar come together to create a deliciously fresh salad. Whether you’re serving it alongside a main course or enjoying it on its own, this easy-to-make salad brings a burst of flavor and crunch with every bite.
This Radish Green Salad is my go-to salad, especially in the summer, but honestly, I make it all year long. It’s so simple to throw together, and the combination of creamy avocado, crisp radishes, and the light tang from the homemade dressing never gets old. I love how fresh and vibrant it feels, making it the perfect side dish to almost any meal. Whether it’s a quick weeknight dinner or a special gathering, this salad always adds a burst of color and flavor to the table—and it’s always a hit!
Looking for salad more recipes? Try my Radish Salad with Lemon Dressing, Strawberry Pecan Salad, and Tomato and Cucumber Salad.
Jump to:
🌟 Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Super easy to prepare: With fresh greens like butter lettuce, creamy avocado, and crunchy radishes, this salad comes together in just a few minutes—perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a no-fuss side dish at any gathering.
- Bursting with flavor: The tangy homemade dressing, made with olive oil, lemon juice, and red wine vinegar, adds a refreshing bite that perfectly complements the creamy avocado and crunchy radish slices, making every bite a burst of fresh, vibrant flavor.
- A versatile crowd-pleaser: Whether you're serving it alongside a hearty main dish or as a light, healthy lunch, this radish green salad is a great addition to any meal and works year-round, from casual weeknight dinners to special occasions.
🥘 Ingredients
- Butter Lettuce: I recommend using butter lettuce for its tender, delicate leaves and slightly sweet flavor. It serves as the perfect base for this salad, adding a mild crunch and fresh texture. If butter lettuce isn’t available, you can substitute with other leafy greens like romaine or a mix of salad greens.
- Avocados: Ripe avocados are key here, offering a creamy texture and rich flavor that pairs beautifully with the crisp radishes. When sliced into wedges, they bring a buttery contrast to the other ingredients. Be sure to choose avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure but aren't overly soft.
- Radishes: Radishes provide a nice peppery bite and a crunchy texture to the salad. For this recipe, I use classic red radishes, thinly sliced, but you can experiment with different varieties like watermelon radishes for a unique twist and a pop of color. If you're feeling adventurous, wash the radish leaves and add those into the butter lettuce mix too.
- Red Wine Vinegar: This tangy vinegar adds the right amount of acidity to the dressing, balancing out the creamy avocado and peppery radishes. It’s essential for creating that perfect vinaigrette. If you don’t have red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar can also work as a substitute.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is ideal for this dressing due to its rich flavor and smooth texture. It brings the dressing together perfectly. If you prefer a milder taste, you could substitute with avocado oil, but the flavor won’t be quite the same.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice brightens the entire salad, adding a refreshing citrus kick that complements the creamy avocado and crisp radishes. Don’t forget to add a bit of lemon zest for extra zing, if you have it!
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: These basic seasonings are essential to elevate the flavors of the fresh ingredients. Kosher salt enhances the natural tastes without overwhelming them, and freshly cracked black pepper adds a touch of spice.
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪 Step by Step Instructions
Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine 1 chopped shallot, 1 clove of minced garlic, ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes, ½ cup of olive oil, and 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar. Whisk together until the dressing is well combined. Set aside.
Prepare the Radishes: Thinly slice 2-3 radishes and place them in the bowl with the dressing. Toss the radishes to ensure they are evenly coated with the dressing. Let them sit for about 5 minutes to mellow their sharp bite.
Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl or on a platter, arrange 3-4 cups of butter lettuce. Scatter the avocado wedges over the lettuce for a creamy contrast. Season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
Add the Dressed Radishes: After the radishes have marinated in the dressing, add them to the salad, along with any remaining dressing from the bowl. Gently toss the salad to combine all the ingredients.
Serve: Serve the salad immediately, or refrigerate it for a short time before serving if you prefer a chilled salad. Enjoy the fresh, tangy flavors!
👩🏼🍳 Tips & Notes
- Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor and texture, use fresh ingredients like ripe avocados, crisp radishes, and tender butter lettuce. Fresh radish greens can also be a great addition if you have them! Fresh greens will bring vibrant color and crunch to your salad, making it a perfect side dish or light meal.
- Let the Radishes Marinate: Allow the thinly sliced radishes to sit in the dressing for about 5 minutes. This allows them to soften their bite and absorb all that tangy flavor from the lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and olive oil. The longer they sit, the more they’ll soak up the dressing, making them even tastier!
- Adjust the Dressing to Taste: The homemade dressing with olive oil, lemon juice, and red wine vinegar is the heart of this salad. If you prefer a more tangy flavor, feel free to add a bit more lemon juice or red wine vinegar. If you want a richer dressing, increase the olive oil. You can also tweak the seasoning with extra kosher salt and black pepper to your liking.
- Keep It Fresh: If you're making this salad ahead of time, I recommend keeping the dressing separate from the salad until right before serving. This will help prevent the lettuce from wilting. Store any leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
- Add a Crunch: If you're looking for a little extra texture, consider adding pumpkin seeds or even some fresh radish sprouts for an added crunch. These little bits make a great addition and enhance the flavor while keeping things light and fresh.
- Perfect for Any Time of Year: This radish green salad is a great addition to your salad recipes, whether it’s a light summer salad or a refreshing side dish during the cooler months. The fresh ingredients provide great health benefits, especially with the vitamin C from the radishes and lemon juice. This salad is perfect any time of year, offering a delicious and easy way to enjoy good greens.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Olive Oil: If you prefer a lighter option, you can substitute extra virgin olive oil with avocado oil. It has a mild flavor and offers a smooth, buttery texture that pairs well with the fresh greens and tangy dressing.
- Radishes: If you're looking for a milder flavor, try substituting regular red radishes with watermelon radishes. Their slightly sweet and less peppery taste adds a fun pop of color to the salad while still offering that satisfying crunch.
- Fresh Herbs: For an added burst of freshness, sprinkle some fresh mint or green onions over the salad. These fresh herbs will enhance the overall flavor profile and give it an extra layer of complexity.
- Pumpkin Seeds: If you’re looking for a little crunch, pumpkin seeds make a great addition. They’ll add texture and a touch of nuttiness that complements the creamy avocado and crisp radishes.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
Wine Pairing: This radish green salad pairs beautifully with a crisp white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc or a dry Pinot Grigio. The bright acidity in these wines complements the tangy lemon dressing and the fresh radishes, while also balancing the creamy avocado. If you prefer a red, a light, chilled Pinot Noir could also work well.
Serve as a Side: This salad is a perfect side dish to accompany grilled meats or seafood. It works wonderfully with dishes like grilled chicken, seared salmon, or even a simple vegetable stir-fry. The fresh, crunchy textures and light dressing won’t overpower your main course, but will enhance it with a burst of freshness.
Summer BBQ Essential: Bring this salad to your next summer barbecue or picnic! It’s refreshing, easy to prepare, and can be served alongside burgers, grilled vegetables, or even a light pasta salad. The crisp radishes and creamy avocado make it a hit, especially when served outdoors on a warm day.
Light and Healthy Lunch: Enjoy this salad on its own for a light and healthy lunch. The creamy avocado and fresh greens offer a satisfying meal, while the lemony dressing provides a refreshing zing. You could also pair it with a side of whole-grain crackers or a small bowl of soup for a well-rounded meal.
💭 Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can definitely prepare this salad ahead of time! To save time, you can slice the radishes and prepare the homemade dressing in advance, storing them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When you're ready to serve, simply assemble the salad with the fresh butter lettuce, avocado wedges, and dressed radishes. If you're prepping the salad early, just wait to add the avocado and season with kosher salt and black pepper until the last minute to keep everything fresh. The dressing can also be stored for up to 3-5 days, making it a great option for quick lunches or side dishes throughout the week.
Absolutely! If you can’t find butter lettuce, feel free to swap it out for other fresh salad greens like mixed leafy greens, romaine, or even arugula. Each type of leafy green will bring a slightly different flavor and texture to the salad, but they all work beautifully with the creamy avocado, crunchy radishes, and tangy homemade dressing. If you're using more peppery greens like arugula, try adding a little extra lemon juice or olive oil to the dressing to balance the flavors. For an extra boost of vitamins and flavor, you can even add in a handful of fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for added freshness!
🥣 Storage & Reheating
Storing Leftovers: If you have leftover radish green salad, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate. The salad is best eaten within a day, as the fresh butter lettuce and avocado can wilt or brown over time. To keep the salad fresh, store the dressing separately and toss it in just before serving.
Storing the Dressing: The homemade dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. It’s perfect for drizzling over other salads or even as a marinade for vegetables or grilled chicken! Just give it a good shake or stir before using it again.
🌿 Related Recipes
🥗 Pairing Recommendations
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating & comment below to let me know how it came out. Thanks for visiting!
📋 Recipe
Avocado & Radish Green Salad with Easy Vinaigrette
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Meghan It Up.
Equipment
- Medium-sized bowl
- Whisk or fork
- Large platter or bowl for serving
- Small bowl for the dressing
Ingredients
- 3-4 cups butter lettuce
- 2 avocados cut into wedges
- 2-3 radishes thinly sliced
- Kosher salt and pepper to taste
For the dressing:
- 1 shallot roughly chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine 1 chopped shallot, 1 minced garlic clove, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, ½ cup olive oil, and 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar. Whisk together until well combined or mash with a fork.
- Prepare the Radishes: Place 2-3 thinly sliced radishes into the bowl with the dressing. Toss the radishes to coat them in the dressing and let them sit for about 5 minutes to mellow their bite.
- Assemble the Salad: Arrange 3-4 cups of butter lettuce on a large platter or in a bowl. Scatter the 2 avocado wedges over the lettuce. Season with kosher salt and pepper to taste. Add the dressed radishes along with any remaining dressing.
- Serve the Salad: Gently toss the salad to combine all ingredients and evenly distribute the dressing. If desired, add more dressing to taste and serve immediately.
Notes
- The remaining dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days if you have any leftovers
🌡️ Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Comments
No Comments