Easy Cucumber Radish Salad

Cucumber Radish Salad is crisp and light and wonderfully refreshing! Cool cucumbers, crunchy radishes and a medley of fresh herbs are drizzled in a zesty dressing. Creamy feta crumbled on top adds a rich and tangy flavor that pulls everything together. Best of all, this simple salad is ready in just 10 minutes! Fresh flavors and minimal effort? It truly is the perfect summer side dish. 

Cucumber Radish Salad

This simple salad offers a unique blend of textures and flavors that are just right, especially on a hot summer day. The crisp and crunchy texture with the soft and creamy feta. The cool, neutral flavors of radish and cucumbers with the zippiness of the vinaigrette. 

Tip: peruse your local farmers market and you might score on fresh cucumbers, radishes and herbs in the spring or summer.

Why This Salad Recipe Works

The Ingredients For Cucumber Radish Salad

Simple ingredients tossed in the easiest of salad dressings. This salad is perfect if you’re looking to keep things light- and by that, we mean minimal effort! 

Here’s an overview of the ingredients you will need:

• Vinaigrette. You’ll need the homemade vinaigrette basics: extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic and salt and black pepper. Easy peasy!
• English cucumbers. ​These have fewer seeds and a much thinner skin than traditional cucumbers. Slice them thin for the salad. 
• Red radishes. Radishes add a crispness and subtly spicy flavor. 
• Red onion. Really any type of onion works in this salad but I like the vibrant color that red onions add to the dish.
• Fresh herbs. ​We don’t skimp on the fresh herbs here! You’ll need fresh dill, chives (or scallions), fresh mint and fresh tarragon. 
• Feta cheese. ​Just a couple of tablespoons to top the salad add the perfect finishing touch!

Recipe Substitutions

If you’re missing some ingredients for this radish salad or you’re looking for alternatives due to dietary preferences, here are some substitutions that you can make.

• Vinaigrette: If you don’t have fresh lemon juice, you can use white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar instead. Also, honey can be substituted with agave syrup or maple syrup for a vegan version.
• Cucumbers: You can use regular cucumbers if you can’t find English cucumbers, just make sure to deseed them.
• Red Radishes: Jicama or kohlrabi can be good alternatives to radishes if you’re not a fan of their spicy flavor. They will still provide a nice crunch to the salad.
• Red Onion: You can use white or yellow onions if red onions are not available. Shallots are also a great substitute.
• Fresh Herbs: If you can’t find all the herbs listed, you can use whichever ones you have on hand. Parsley or basil could be great in this recipe. 
• Feta Cheese: Goat cheese or blue cheese are good alternatives to feta. For a dairy-free or vegan version, you can use a vegan cheese or omit it entirely.

How to Make this Easy Cucumber Salad

This cucumber radish salad comes together in just a couple of easy steps.

Below is a quick look at the process but be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to view the printable recipe card. 

In a jar or a small bowl, add the oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Seal the jar and shake or whisk the ingredients to stir. 

Tip: make sure you mince the garlic very finely so it doesn’t leave peppery chunks in the salad. 

Pour the vinaigrette over the cucumber radish salad and toss well to combine. Transfer to a serving bowl if desired, and sprinkle the crumbled feta on top. If you don’t want to make a dressing, simply use your favorite store bought vinaigrette. 

Recipe Variations for Cucumber Radish Salad

For a Mediterranean twist, try incorporating kalamata olives and replace the dill and mint with parsley and basil.

Make a quick creamy dressing by adding Greek yogurt or sour cream to the vinaigrette. If you’re aiming for an Asian-inspired variation, sesame oil and rice vinegar can substitute for olive oil and lemon juice in the dressing, with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for an extra crunch.

For a heartier salad, consider adding garbanzo beans or black beans to the cucumber radish salad. 

Tips for Recipe Success

• This cucumber radish salad recipe also works with Persian cucumbers (mini cucumbers). They’re similar to English cucumbers but smaller. If substituting, you will likely need 3-4 Persian cucumbers for every English cucumber. 
  
• A mandoline works well for slicing the veggies very thinly and keeping the cucumbers and radishes the same, uniform thickness. However, we recommend using cut resistant gloves. 
  
• If you have leftovers, you can store the salad in an airtight container or in a large bowl covered with plastic wrap. It will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Since cucumbers have a high water content, the salad may get a bit watery if it sits for a longer period of time.

Radishes and cucumbers are the stars of this salad

The crunchy, spicy radishes pair perfectly with the cool, sweet cucumbers. We added fresh herbs like dill, chives and mint for even more flavor. And, a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, lemon juice and honey rounds out the salad.

This salad is perfect to serve as a side dish at a picnic or backyard barbecue. It also makes an excellent topping for grilled fish or chicken.

Serving Suggestions

This versatile side dish is delightful in any season! Here are a few other recipes that will go great with it. 

• Smoked BBQ Traeger Chicken Wings
• Smoked Whole Chicken
• Easy Barbecue Pork Ribs
• Reverse Sear Cowboy Steak
• Buttery Cornbread
• Potato Salad with Bacon Egg and Cheese

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