Radishes are some of the easiest, beginner-friendly crops to grow since they are low maintenance and can survive most conditions.
Unfortunately, they have a short shelf-life, so it would be best to plan how to store your radishes before growing them or risk wasting your time and money.
However, merely throwing your radishes onto the countertops and forgetting about them will only suffice if you’re simply trying to see how quickly they can spoil.
Luckily, you can store radishes in several ways, some of which will also improve their flavor while extending their shelf life.
In this article, we will explore 6 simple storage techniques you can use, including some estimates on how long you can expect your radishes to last for each.
Before We Get Started…
Radishes are members of the Brassicaceae family, including cabbages and chards. And while their leaves are edible, the bulbs are the parts most people associate with the plant. With this in mind, let’s consider the simple methods you can use to store radishes.
1. In A Root Cellar (Dirt)
Traditionally, radishes were stored in a root cellar or cool room, such as a basement, by placing them in sand or dirt.
Usually, you can keep your radishes alive for up to three months using this method since it mimics the natural environment.
However, you have to ensure that you do not damage the bulb’s skin and keep the roots from touching each other while in storage. You can also read our article which outlines the best time to harvest radishes.
2. Store Radishes In Cold Water
For shorter storage, you can always place your radishes in cold water, which can be kept for up to 7 days. To do this:
- Select and wash your radishes.
- Remove the greens and the roots.
- Put them into a sealed jar filled with cold water
- Place the bottle into the refrigerator.
When using this method, you’ll want to ensure that the radishes are thoroughly cleaned and whole. If done correctly, they can usually last even longer than 7 days.
3. Place In The Freezer
If you want your radishes to last almost indefinitely, you can freeze them. However, it’s worth noting that this comes at the price of some of its distinctive and bold flavors.
For best results, you should first blanch the radishes before freezing, as follows:
- Clean and cut the root of the radishes into 4 pieces.
- Boil for 2 minutes.
- Remove from hot water and place into ice water for 2 minutes.
- Dry the pieces of radishes with a paper towel to eliminate any excess moisture.
- Place them into a sealed freezer bag and place them into the freezer.
Ensure no air is in your freezer bags to stop ice crystals from forming inside the bag.
4. Pickle Radish Bulbs
If you pickle your radishes, there are several recipes to choose from online. However, at the very least, you’ll need the following ingredients.
For every ½ lb of radishes, you’ll need:
- ½ cup white vinegar and sugar
- ¼ cup of water.
- 1 teaspoon of salt.
You can also add a little pepper and lemon to season them up.
Once complete, you can snack on them for up to 6 months, provided they are stored within a refrigerated canning jar.
5. Crisper Drawer
If you really don’t have time, then you can toss your radishes into the crisper drawer of your refrigerator with minimal preparation.
- Clean and wrap your radishes into a damp paper towel, then place them inside a food storage bag.
- Place the bag into the crisper draw, and you’re all set.
This option isn’t for you if you’re thinking long-term, but if you want to keep them alive for a week or two, it will do the trick.
6. Dehydrate
If you have a dehydrating machine, feel free to give radishes a go.
However, I don’t usually recommend this option due to the considerable water content of the radish.
Also, by dehydrating the root veggie, you are likely to lose most, if not all, of its original texture and flavor.
Final Thoughts
If you leave your radishes on your counter and do not store them in a specific manner, you’ll need to consume them within a few days. Maybe up to three if it’s cold outside.
However, realistically, you’re not going to consume that much radish in a short time, so using one of these storage tips will mean better-tasting radishes for longer.
Whether you want to extend the life by days, weeks, or even months, these options will ensure access to delicious radishes to use in your recipes when needed.
References
University Of Minnesota Extension. Growing Radishes In Home Garden. extension.umn.edu. Accessed November 2022
Jerry James Stone. How to Store Radishes. [Video]. Youtube. Uploaded September 7, 2019
