Sautéed French Breakfast Radishes

By Amanda Paa – Updated May 19, 2022
5 from 2 votes
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Never would I have imagined the joy that flowed through my hands as I picked these French breakfast radishes and fresh herbs from my vertical garden. Even though it may have been a small harvest, the fact that I grew my own food was extremely satisfying, especially after cooking with the radishes. They make the perfect side dish to many of these gluten-free dinner recipes.

What is a French breakfast radish?

I love this smaller, oblong variety of radish for its mild, softer flavor compared to traditional radishes, and the beautiful white and pink colors. The radish’s skin is thin and smooth, with a crunchy, tender bite. They grow quickly, maturing in 20-30 days.

When to harvest French breakfast radishes:

Start checking the radishes about 3 weeks after you’ve planted them. You’ll want to harvest when their greens are about 6 to 8 inches tall. If you can feel or see the “shoulder’s of the radish body peeking out of the ground, it’s probably ready to pull. Waiting too long to harvest will result in woody, very spicy radishes.

Ghee Braised Radishes & Thyme {via heartbeet kitchen}

After washing the dirt off their bottoms, I ate a few of them raw, dusted with flaky sea salt. They were perfectly tender, and their pastel pink color quite stunning.

From there I knew I wanted to to create a simple dish with just a few ingredients to let them shine, exactly what these Sautéed Breakfast Radishes yield. If you’re radish-averse because you’ve bitten into a few that were hot and peppery, you’ll find this easy method to making them a winner, as it softens their texture and mellows out their sharpness.

Sautéed French Breakfast Radishes
Ghee Braised Radishes & Thyme {paleo}

We often think of braising as a technique just for meat, but it works wonders for vegetables too, transforming them into flavorful, soul-warming dishes.

It requires little more than cooking ingredients gently with a little bit of liquid (I used vegetable stock and ghee) in a covered pan. Because radishes are tender and carry a fair amount of moisture, it only takes about 20 minutes for them to finish cooking this way.

Ghee Braised Red Radish Recipe {paleo, nut-free}
Ghee Braised Radishes {via heartbeet kitchen}

Using Ghee for Cooking Vegetables

So ghee….. are you familiar? It has quickly become one of my favorite fats to cook with, especially when sautéing vegetables. Ghee is made by simmering unsalted butter for a long time and removing the milk solids (making it dairy-free) that have separated from the butterfat. You can buy it at any grocery store near the cooking oils.

The result? A beautiful golden liquid with a high smoke point. Since it has more contact with the browning milk solids compared to clarified butter, a different flavor profile emerges. It’s unexplainably rich, reminiscent of nutty, brown butter.

Ghee Braised Radishes & Thyme {paleo}

What do sauteed radishes taste like?

The decadence of the ghee soaks into the radishes as they braise, and their turn mellow and buttery. The thyme deepens their flavor, and is elevated with a bit of flaky salt. I love how fresh they taste! Simply put, it’s a delicious infusion.

With all the joy and solitude that my tiny garden has brought me, there’s no doubt I’ll continue this practice regardless of where I’m living. I encourage you to do the same, for the power of plants is more than just food.

Buttery French Breakfast Radishes
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Sautéed Breakfast Radishes

An easy and delicious way to eat French breakfast radishes, sautéed in butter and thyme on the stovetop. The radishes turn mellow and flavorful, a great side dish.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time :5 minutes
Cook Time :20 minutes
Total Time :25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Author: Amanda Paa

SCALE:

Ingredients

  • 1 small bunch of radishes leaves removed and trimmed, than sliced in half vertically
  • 1/4 cup vegetable broth water will work in a pinch, but they won’t be as flavorful and you’ll need to add a little more salt
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ghee or butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 4 sprigs of fresh thyme

Instructions 

  • In a small saucepan, bring the broth to a simmer, then whisk in the ghee or butter. Add radishes, salt and thyme, then stir to coat.
  • Cover the pan, then cook so that there are bubbles barely around the edges, for 20 minutes.
  • Then remove cover and raise heat to medium-high and cook for 3 minutes to reduce the liquid just a bit. Serve warm.


Did you make this?

tag @heartbeetkitchen on instagram and hashtag it #heartbeetkitchen

August 11, 2015

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23 comments

  1. Beth

    Just made these for dinner. I haven’t had radishes in ages and I’ve definitely never had them braised. It completely transforms the flavor. I loved it.

    • amandapaa

      Oh, so glad you liked them Beth. They turn almost sweet! Thanks for sharing your experience, xo.

  2. Laurie

    This post was a pleasure to read. I think I get ghee now.

    • Amanda Paa

      it’s amazing Laurie. like dipping everything in brown butter without the work. so good. xo

  3. Cynthia/What A Girl Eats

    Growing your own produce is so satisfying, even if it is a small amount! Your photos are lovely too! I’m with you on the ghee! I love it! Completely different flavor than clarified butter!

    • Amanda Paa

      Thanks for stopping by Cynthia, and the kind words about the photos. I’m about to try my hand at making my own ghee this weekend, so we’ll see how it goes! xo

  4. Tessa | Salted Plains

    These are beautiful photos, Amanda. Too pretty! Love seeing the progress of your vertical garden – so fun. Gosh, I’d like to use ghee more and these ghee and radishes sound delicious!!

  5. Audrey @ Unconventional Baker

    These look so lovely, Amanda. I love radishes, but never tried cooking them. I think your photos convinced me ♥

    I also tried growing my own, but the gophers always get to them first — vertical gardens are nice in keeping the rural critters away :)

  6. kristie {birch and wild}

    You make such beautiful food. Congrats on your harvest! It feels good, right?

    • Amanda Paa

      Feels so good! I’m already thinking of what I’m going to try next year. I’m definitely not at your level yet, but baby steps. :)

  7. Traci | Vanilla And Bean

    Simple pleasures. Love this recipe, and look forward to braising my own radishes. Oh Amanda! It’s been so fun watching your vertical garden get to this point… I recall when you first started it… Thank you for sharing your journey with us. “The power of plants is more than just food.” Indeed.

  8. Christie

    You grew radishes? I can’t seem to get them to grow. I’d LOVE to grow them because I love to eat them. And I love ghee. This recipe is a love love with me! Pinned!

  9. Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits

    Oh my gosh, can’t believe you grew these, Amanda!! I’m still struggling to keep my basil plant alive. Kudos to you, lady!

    I haven’t cooked radishes in a long time, and this looks like just the perfect way to enjoy them!

    • Amanda Paa

      It seems so easy, but often isn’t! Basil can get beat by the heat pretty quickly too. But have faith, and water them like crazy! :)

  10. Danielle

    Hi Amanda! These radishes seemingly embrace a simplicity that one can realize and understand fully from harvest to hand to nourishment. We have some french breakfast radishes on the way and I am excited to pay them grace with this beautiful recipe. Thank you for sharing.

    • Amanda Paa

      What beautiful words Danielle. And I stopped by your blog and see that you have grown a bounty of food. Lovely! Can’t wait to follow along.

  11. David @ CookingChat

    what gorgeous radishes! a simple preparation like this seems like the best way to enjoy them.

    • Amanda Paa

      thank you david! yes, the simplicity really does allow them to shine. thanks for stopping by!

  12. Faith (An Edible Mosaic)

    There is nothing quite like the feeling of satisfaction that comes from watching something you planted grow. Your vertical garden is absolutely genius…that’s about the only way I’d be able to garden in our current apartment, and I’d love to give it a try. Lovely radish dish, I can imagine that the nutty flavor of ghee is a perfect pairing with radishes.

  13. Jenn @ A Toast to the Good Life

    Oh I love radishes! This dish looks delicious.

  14. renee (will frolic for food)

    oh YES i want these! ghee + radishes! I’ve never tried that before and i can’t wait to get some of this in my mouth.

  15. Sarah | Well and Full

    These are such beautiful photos! Simple but elegant :)

    • Amanda Paa

      aw, thanks Sarah! appreciate you stopping by. xo