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Kaleb Wyse wearing a black shirt standing in front of a taupe background.

Why I Love These Pickled Radishes

There’s just something about a jar of quick pickled radishes in the fridge that makes everyday meals feel a little more special. I love how bright, crisp, and zingy these are, with just the right balance of tang and subtle sweetness, and a hint of warmth from the cumin.

They’re quick to prep (truly, it takes just a few minutes!), and they keep well all week long. That means I can toss them onto tacos (especially my slow cooker chicken tacos), grain bowls, salads, and even avocado toast without a second thought.

You’ll love this recipe too because:

  • It’s incredibly simple. No canning, no fuss. Just slice, pour, and chill.
  • It’s packed with flavor. Vinegar gives it zip, sugar rounds it out, and the cumin seeds make it interesting.
  • It’s endlessly versatile. These go with just about everything and make any dish feel restaurant-worthy.
  • It’s fridge-friendly. Make a batch ahead and enjoy them all week long.

Once you start adding these to your meals, you won’t want to go without them.

Two glass jars filled with pickled radishes with more radish to the side.
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Quick Pickled Radish Ingredients

These simple ingredients come together to create a tangy, crisp, and flavor-packed pickle you’ll want to put on everything.

  • Radishes – Crunchy and peppery, they soak up the brine beautifully and turn the liquid a gorgeous pink.
  • Shallot – Adds a mild, savory bite that complements the radish without overpowering it.
  • Cilantro – Brings fresh, herbal brightness to balance the tang.
  • White vinegar – The acidic base of the brine that gives the pickles their classic zing.
  • Water – Tones down the vinegar so the flavor stays balanced.
  • Sugar – Adds a touch of sweetness to soften the sharpness. Some people may want to leave this out, which is fine. Just know that the sugar does work to cut through some of the tanginess of the vinegar.
  • Kosher salt – Enhances flavor and helps with preservation.
  • Cumin seeds – A warm, earthy twist that makes these pickles stand out.

The full amount of each ingredient can be found in the recipe card below.

Surface with red radishes and more spices to make pickled radishes.

How to Make Quick Pickled Radishes

Slice the vegetables. Thinly slice the radishes and shallots, and chop the cilantro. Pack them into a clean glass jar.

Make the brine. In a saucepan, combine the white vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and cumin seeds. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar and salt dissolve, then remove from the heat.

Saucepan with brine with cumin seeds inside heating on hot plate.

Pour and pack. Pour the brine over the radishes, making sure everything is fully submerged. Gently tap the jar to release any air bubbles.

Chill and store. Let the pickles cool to room temperature, then seal and refrigerate. They’ll be ready to eat in about 1 hour, but taste even better after a day.

Saucepan pouring hot brine on top of sliced radishes in glass jars.

Recipe Tips

  • Use a mandoline for even, thin slices that pickle evenly. This is optional, but it will give more even slices. Just make sure to use caution when operating a mandoline.
  • Don’t skip the cumin seeds. They add a subtle, earthy depth that makes these unique.
  • Taste a small amount of the brine first so you can adjust the salt or sugar to your liking.
  • Chill for a minimum of 1 hour before serving to let the flavors fully develop.

Follow These Tips

Serving & Storage

To serve: Pile these pickled radishes on top of tacos, layer them in sandwiches, throw them on a grain bowl, or (my favorite!) add them to a cheese board for a pop of color and tang. Their crisp texture and pickle-like flavor are especially great alongside rich or spicy foods.

To store: Store the pickled radishes in a sealed glass jar or an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep for up to 2 weeks, though they’re at their crunchiest and most vibrant in the first 5-7 days. The flavor will tend to deepen the longer they sit.

Glass jar filled with sliced radishes in pink liquid for pickling.

Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?

I hope you make this recipe and put some food on your table. Leave a comment and share a star rating so you can let others know how much you love this recipe. This helps show others that this is a recipe they, too, can make, enjoy, and love!

Quick Pickled Radishes

5 from 1 vote
Quick pickled radishes are crisp, tangy, and full of bold flavor. Ready in just an hour, they brighten up tacos, salads, and so much more.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
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Ingredients

  • 1 lb radish thinly sliced
  • 1 medium shallot thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 cup distilled white vinegar (5%)
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tsp granulated sugar
  • 4 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp cumin seeds

Instructions 

  • Prepare the jars. Divide the sliced radish, shallots, and chopped cilantro between two pint jars.
    1 lb radish, 1 medium shallot, ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Make the brine. In a saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and cumin seeds. Set over medium heat, stir, and bring to a boil. Once the sugar and salt have dissolved, remove the pan from the heat.
    1 cup distilled white vinegar (5%), 1 cup water, 2 tsp granulated sugar, 4 tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp cumin seeds
  • Add to the jars. Pour the hot brine mixture over the top of the radishes, dividing the liquid between the jars. Place a lid on top of each jar and store in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before consuming.

Video

YouTube video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 servingCalories: 9 kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment below!

Styling: Addelyn Evans | Photography: Dera Burreson

Kaleb Wyse is a New York Times bestselling author behind the popular Wyse Guide website. Living on his fourth-generation Iowa farm, he loves sharing recipes and gardening tips that come from traditions that feel comfortably familiar. His down-to-earth style makes sustainable living and farm life feel like home!

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5 from 1 vote

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2 Comments

  1. Adrian says:

    5 stars
    Very tasty! Used for the taco recipe and tasted great on there own. . Will make again.

  2. Mikal says:

    Can you share details about the jars shown with this recipe? Can’t wait to try this one!