Radishes are one of the first vegetables to be harvested in the spring season. These delicious zesty vegetables are a crowd favorite. People eat them raw, in salads, sandwiches, or as a snack with their favorite sauces.
However, the issue with radishes is that they have a very short shelf life. You can tackle that issue by storing them properly. In this article, we will learn how to store radishes using 4 different methods. Keep on reading to find out how!
How to store radishes?
It is fairly easy to store radishes to keep them from going soft. You can store them in a bowl of cold water at room temperature or put them in the fridge, freezer, or your basement.
Let’s discuss all four ways in detail below.
Different methods of storing radishes
As mentioned above, storing radishes is simple, and there is more than one way to do it so that you choose the method that’s feasible for you. Follow this method if you wish to store them on your kitchen countertop:
Method 1: Storing Radishes at room temperature (on the counter method)
You can keep your radishes fresh by storing them on the kitchen countertop and keeping them crunchy. This method will keep the radishes fresh for two to seven days.
Step 1: Get a large bowl and put radishes in
Get a bowl big and sturdy enough to hold your radishes. Put the radishes in without washing or trimming them.
Step 2: Fill up the bowl with cold water
After putting the radishes in, fill the bowl with cold water, enough to submerge the bulbs of the radishes. The leaves should not be submerged in water.
Step 3: Clean and refill the water daily
Refill the bowl with clean water every day. Make sure the stems and leaves of the radishes are not wilting. If they are, then that shows the radishes will start to go soft soon. It is better to utilize the radishes then or move them to the refrigerator to keep fresh for a whole week!
Method 2: Storing radishes in the fridge
What is a better way to store your veggies than in a refrigerator? Here are two ways you can maintain the freshness of radishes in the fridge:
Using a mason jar
Mason jars are a great way to store your radishes. Being spill-proof and compact, they can keep radishes well in the fridge for up to 10 days. You can use a pickle or jam jar if you don’t have a mason jar.
Step 1: Wash your radishes
Wash your radishes with clean water and make sure to rid them of any visible dirt.
Step 2: Trim the roots and tops off
Take your clean radishes and cut the tops so that there are no roots or leaves.
Step 3: Put the radishes in a mason jar and fill it up with water
Put your cleaned and trimmed radishes in a mason jar and fill it up with water so that the radishes are fully submerged.
Step 4: Seal the jar tight and store
Tightly seal your mason jar to ensure the water is not leaking. Once you’re sure it’s airtight, store it in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. However, keep on checking every few days to see whether the radishes are firm or not.
Using a plastic bag
You can preserve radishes with this simple method by using plastic bags and some paper towels. They will stay fresh for up to two weeks! Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Trim the roots and leaves off the radishes
Trim the roots and leaves off of the radishes. Don’t wash the radishes until you are ready to cook them, as they last longer this way.
Step 2: Dampen some paper towels and line them in a zip-lock bag
Take two to three full-size paper towels and dampen them up by sprinkling water or pressing them down with washed hands. Then take the damp paper towels and line them on the inside of a freezer-safe ziplock bag.
Step 3: Place the radishes inside the zip lock bag lined with paper towels
Take the trimmed radishes and place them in the prepared ziplock bag. Make sure you place them in a way that they are sandwiched by the damp paper towels inside the bag.
Step 4: Seal the ziplock bag and put it in the freezer
Remove any air inside the ziplock bag by squeezing it out. Then pop the sealed bag inside the refrigerator, and your radishes will be preserved for up to 14 days.
Method 3: Storing radishes in the basement
Wondering how to make efficient use of your basement? Radishes love dark and damp places, making them a great companion to your gloomy basement. If you want to maximize the longevity of your radishes, storing them in the basement will get the job done. Here’s how you can store your radishes in your basement:
Step 1: Fill a shoebox with damp soil
Take an old shoebox and fill it up with soil. Ensure the soil is wet; if it’s not, spray some water on it until it’s damp.
Step 2: Place the radishes inside the shoebox planter, keeping the stems and roots separated
Carefully place the radishes inside the soil, making sure the stems and leaves are not touching.
Step 3: take the radishes out whenever needed and clean them up before cooking
You can take out the radishes from the shoebox whenever needed. Clean them up before cooking, and you will be good to go. This method keeps the radishes fresh for up to three months, given that your basement lacks sunlight and heating.
Method 4: Storing radishes in the freezer
Freezing is the ideal option to store sliced radishes. The texture and taste of the radishes may change after freezing them because they have high water content. The water in the roots freezes – making them feel and taste different.
It is important to choose good quality and not overripe radishes to reduce this effect as much as possible. Follow the step-by-step guide below to freeze radishes:
Step 1: Wash the radishes and trim the top and bottom parts
Wash the radishes with cold water and trim the leaves and roots of the radishes.
Step 2: Cut the radishes
Cut the radishes into small pieces.
Step 3: Blanch the radishes
Put the cut radishes into boiling water and blanch them for 2-3 minutes. This helps maintain the texture, color, and flavor of the radishes.
Step 4: Transfer the blanched radishes to an ice bath
After the radishes have blanched, transfer them to ice-cold water to stop the cooking process.
Step 5: Drain and put the radish slices in a freezer bag
Drain all excess water, put the radishes in a freezer-safe ziplock bag, and then pop it in the freezer.
How long can radishes be stored in water?
You can keep radishes fresh for up to 7 days by storing them in water.
You can do so by following the “Storing Radishes at room temperature (on the counter method)” as mentioned above.
What is the best way to store cut radishes?
The best way to store cut radishes is by keeping them in plastic bags in the refrigerator. To prevent them from drying out, wrap them up in some damp paper towels before refrigerating.
The method had been mentioned above under the “how to freeze cut radishes” heading.
Do radishes freeze well?
The texture and taste of radishes may be altered after you freeze them. This is because radishes have high water content. To minimize this effect, cut and blanch the radishes before freezing.
How do you store radishes without plastic?
You can use mason jars (or jam/pickle jars) to store radishes without plastic. Trim the stems and wash. Seal the jars tight, and remember to change the water every few days.
How long do radishes last?
The shelf-life of radishes depends on how you store them. If you want to preserve them for long, freezing is the best option. However, storing them in the fridge will also keep them fresh for a few weeks.
- Radishes in cold water will last for a week maximum.
- Radishes will last up to 2 weeks (14 days) in the fridge.
- Radishes in the freezer can be preserved for up to 6 months.
- Putting them on the counter at room temperature will keep them fresh for 2-3 days.
- Canned or pickled radishes can keep well in the fridge for up to 6 months. However, they will start losing their crunch and flavor after the first 3 months.
The radishes can be kept in the crisper drawer of your fridge for about 3 weeks. However, the quality may be affected.
If you are growing radishes yourself, they should be harvested 4 weeks after planting to get the best taste and crispiness. If you leave them any longer, the radishes will burst open, and bugs will start eating them up.
Related FAQs
How can you keep radish leaves fresh?
Radish leaves can be kept fresh in the crisper drawer of your fridge. Put the radish leaves in a plastic bag and pop them in the crisper drawer, where they will last for 2-3 days.
Are radishes supposed to smell?
Radishes have a distinct smell so if you want to know whether they have gone bad, feel if they are soft or soggy.
Should you store vegetables in plastic bags?
Storing most vegetables such as potatoes, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, and celery in a plastic bag or container is a good option. Put them in the crisper drawer of your fridge, away from fruits, as this prevents them from ripening too fast. On the other hand, mushrooms are stored best in a paper bag.
Concluding our thoughts on how to store radishes!
Have you always had to throw half your radishes out before you even got a chance to cook them? The four storage methods discussed in this article will help you keep your radishes fresh for longer. You can now incorporate them into your family’s diet whenever you want!