The Right Way to Store Radishes and Their Greens

Whether you're making a salad, serving them as an appetizer with butter and salt like the Fench do, or using them in a savory tart, radishes bring a welcome crunch. They're delightfully crisp and peppery, though they won't keep their crunch if stored incorrectly. Ahead, we spoke to a chef and food scientist about how to store radishes the right way, plus tips for freezing the root vegetables and signs they've gone bad.

How to Prepare Radishes for Storage

Follow these steps no matter which way you will store the radishes. This prep is a necessary precursor to storing radishes, says Traci Weintraub, chef and founder of Gracefully Fed, a Los Angeles-based meal delivery service:

1. If the greens are still attached to the radishes, cut them off.
2. Wash the radishes under cool running water.
3. As you wash the radishes, scrub off any dirt. (You can do this with a vegetable brush or with your hands, says Weintraub.)
4. Dry the radishes with a clean cloth or paper towel.

How to Store Radishes in a Plastic Bag

To store whole radishes, place them in a sealable plastic bag and put them in the refrigerator. Radishes are high in moisture, so the plastic bag will keep radishes from losing water to the surrounding environment, keeping the humidity high inside the bag, says Bryan Quoc Le, Ph.D., food scientist, food consultant, and author of 150 Food Science Questions Answered. Additionally, the refrigerator’s cold temperature will slow down ripening hormones in the radishes, ultimately extending their shelf life, says Le.

Shelf Life

When stored properly, radishes in a plastic bag will last for one to two weeks in the refrigerator.

How to Store Radishes in Water

Another option is to submerge radishes in a container of water; this method works by retaining the moisture content of the vegetable. "Radishes have permeable skins and can easily dry out," explains Le. "Over time, they lose water to evaporation, [and] only 5 percent loss of water is enough to make radishes wilt," he adds. Submerging them in water prevents them from losing moisture, helping them last longer.

Here's how to store radishes in water:

1. Place the radishes, without greens, in a container with a lid.
2. Pour cold water into the container until the radishes are fully covered.
3. Cover the container and put it in the refrigerator.
4. Change the water every two to three days, says Le.
   

Shelf Life

"Radishes can last two weeks when submerged in water," says Le. However, if they begin to develop a dull color or soft texture, they should be cooked, he says.

How to Store Cut Radishes

Once cut, raw radishes should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, according to Weintraub.

Shelf Life

The shelf life of cut raw radishes spans two to three days, she says.

How to Store Cooked Radishes

Whether whole or cut, cooked radishes should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Shelf Life

Cooked radishes, like all cooked food, will last three to four days in the refrigerator.

How to Store Radish Greens

Radish greens can be used like any other leafy green. They are peppery, versatile, and delicious raw or cooked. After cutting the greens from the radishes, follow these steps for storing them, as shared by Weintraub:

1. Wash the greens under cool running water.
2. Wrap them in a paper towel and place them in a plastic bag. Seal the bag.
3. Store the plastic bag in the fridge.
   

Shelf Life

Radish greens will last two to three days in the refrigerator.

Can You Freeze Radishes?

It is possible to freeze radishes and keep them for even longer. The texture of thawed radishes will be slightly different from their fresh counterparts, but you can still roast or sauté the thawed radishes for a tasty dish.

To properly freeze radishes, it's essential to blanch them first. This will prevent splitting and help retain their color and quality, says Weintraub. Follow these steps:

1. Cut the radishes into slices or cubes.
2. Bring a pot of water to a boil.
3. Add the radishes and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Remove the radishes using a slotted spoon. Place in a bowl of ice water.
5. Transfer to a clean towel using a slotted spoon. Let dry.
6. Place the radishes in a freezer-safe plastic or silicone bag and place in the freezer.
   

Shelf Life

For best results, use frozen radishes within six months. When you're ready to use them, submerge them in cool water until fully defrosted, which may take a few hours, says Weintraub.

Tips for Making Radishes Last

While storage is key, there are a few preemptive things you can do to lengthen shelf life.

Choose Fresh Radishes

Buy the freshest radishes you can find. This will help you get the most out of the vegetable and ensure they last as long as possible.

At the grocery store:

• Look for radishes that are firm, round, and bright red.
• They should have fresh-looking tops with a vibrant green color.
• If the radishes are cracked or discolored, or if the greens are wilted, leave them behind.
  

Remove the Greens

We recommended removing the greens when preparing radishes for storage—this step should not be skipped because leaving the greens attached will lead to spoilage more quickly. To help them last longer, cut away the greens and store them in the refrigerator in a separate container.

Signs Radishes Have Gone Bad

Tell-tale signs that radishes are going bad include cracked skin, mushiness, and discoloration. For radish greens, yellowing and wilting indicate spoilage.