Radicchio Salad with Homemade Dressing (Classic Flavors!)

Are you in the mood for a refreshing and flavorful dish? If yes, then this Radicchio Salad recipe is just what you need. This side dish boasts a mix of tart, sweet, and slightly bitter flavors that blend together to create a unique and delicious salad! The crunch from the radicchio, matchstick apple slices, and carrot ribbons, coupled with the bite from pumpkin seeds, is super satisfying!

Radicchio Salad is a dish that not only looks good but also does good. It's packed with a variety of nutritious vegetables and fruits, making it an excellent choice for a homemade meal. Plus, it's super easy to make and can be made in just twenty minutes!

What makes this Radicchio Salad recipe special is that it brings together a variety of flavors and textures that work wonderfully together. The addition of raisins and caper adds an unexpected sweetness and tanginess that elevates the salad to a whole new level. Trust me, once you've tried this recipe, it'll become a regular in your meal rotation.

Read on to learn exactly how to make this delicious radicchio salad recipe today!

Jump to:

• What is Radicchio Salad?
• Why This Is The Best Radicchio Salad Recipe 
• What You Need to Make Radicchio Salad At Home
• How to Make Radicchio Salad Step by Step
• Tips For Making the Best Radicchio Salad 
• Serving Suggestions
• Recipe Variation Ideas for Radicchio Salad
• Frequently Asked Questions 
• How to Store Leftover Radicchio Salad
• More Delicious Salads
• Recipe

What is Radicchio Salad?

Radicchio salad is a delicious dish that showcases the unique flavors and textures of radicchio, a type of chicory that's known for its vibrant color and slightly bitter taste. It’s also commonly known as red chicory, Italian chicory, or red endive and is common in Italian and Mediterranean cooking

Making radicchio salad at home is a great way to explore new flavors and create a dish that's both healthy and delicious. The bitterness of the radicchio, the sweetness of the apple, and the tanginess of the dressing come together to create a combination that is both complex and satisfying. 

Plus, the salad's vibrant colors and diverse textures make it as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. Whether served as a side dish or a main course, this radicchio salad recipe is sure to impress with its unique flavors and stunning presentation. I love serving it during the holiday season! It never fails to impress all my guests!

Why This Is The Best Radicchio Salad Recipe 

• Quick and Easy: From start to finish, total time spent making this salad is just twenty minutes Just shred the radicchio, peel and cut the carrots and apple, toss everything in a large bowl, and you're done!
• Versatile: This recipe is versatile and allows you to add or substitute ingredients to your liking. Feel like adding some citrus? Toss in some oranges. Want a different type of nut for extra crunch? Try almonds or walnuts.
• Family favorite: The unique blend of flavors and textures in this salad - from the bitterness of radicchio and sweetness of apples and raisins to the crunch of pumpkin seeds - makes it a hit with adults and kids alike.
• Delicious: The end result is a salad bursting with fresh flavors, enhanced by a tangy vinaigrette made from apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and Dijon mustard. Each bite offers a delicious mix of tastes and textures.
• Crowd pleaser: Whether it is a family gathering or a dinner party, this radicchio salad is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Its vibrant colors and appealing taste make it a standout dish on any table. I love serving it during Thanksgiving and Christmas!

What You Need to Make Radicchio Salad At Home

All you need are some incredibly simple, pantry-staple ingredients to make this delicious radicchio salad recipe at home.

Here's an overview of the specific ingredients for this recipe. For the exact ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.

For the Salad:

Radicchio: This chicory vegetable is the star of our radicchio salad recipe. It adds a beautiful color and a unique bitterness that balances out the other flavors in the dish.

Carrots: Peeled into thin ribbons, carrots add a sweet crunch and vibrant color to the salad. 

Apple: A small apple such as Gala or Daisy introduces a crisp texture and a sweet-tart flavor that compliments the bitterness of the radicchio.

Raisins: These dried fruits contribute a touch of natural sweetness and chewy texture to the salad. 

Capers: These add a tangy punch to the salad, contrasting nicely with the sweetness of the raisins and apples. 

Pumpkin Seeds: Roasted pumpkin seeds add a nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch, enhancing the overall texture of the salad.

For the Dressing:

Garlic: A clove of garlic introduces a distinctive, robust flavor that makes this salad extra savory.

Apple Cider Vinegar: This ingredient adds acidity to the salad, brightening up the flavors and balancing out the sweetness of the fruits.

Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is used in the vinaigrette, lending a smooth, rich flavor that ties all the ingredients together.

Dijon Mustard: This adds a bit of heat and complexity to the dressing, enhancing the overall taste of the salad.

Salt and Pepper: These seasonings are essential for bringing out the flavors of the vegetables and fruits. Salt reduces the perceived bitterness of the radicchio, while pepper adds a slight heat.

How to Make Radicchio Salad Step by Step

Making this incredible radicchio salad recipe at home is super easy and will give you great results every single time. Here's how to make it step by step:

Preparation of the Salad Ingredients

1. Prepare the radicchio: Start by removing any wilted outer leaves from the radicchio. Then, cut it in half and slice each half thinly to create shreds, giving your salad a nice texture.

2. Prep the apple: Core and quarter the apple. Cut each quarter into thin slices and then into thin match-like sticks. The apple adds a bit of sweetness to balance out the bitterness of the radicchio.

Mixing the Salad

3. Toss the salad ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the shredded radicchio, carrots, apple, raisins, caper, and pumpkin seeds. Toss them together to ensure the flavors are well-distributed.

Preparing the Dressing

4. Whisk the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic pushed through a garlic press, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper to taste. This vinaigrette will tie all the salad ingredients together.

Combining Salad and Dressing

5. Dress the salad: Pour the dressing over the vegetables in the large bowl and mix to combine. Make sure all the ingredients are well-coated with the dressing to enhance their flavors.

Serving the Salad

6. Serve: Now that your radicchio salad is ready, serve it as a refreshing side salad or enjoy it as a light main course. Enjoy the delicious crunch and mix of flavors in every bite.

Tips For Making the Best Radicchio Salad 

Choose fresh ingredients: For the best flavors and textures in your radicchio salad recipe, always opt for fresh ingredients. Fresh vegetables, especially radicchio and apple, have a crunch and sweetness that can't be beat.

Prep your vegetables properly: When preparing your radicchio, remove any wilted outer leaves. Cut it in half, and slice each half thinly to create shreds. For the apple, core and quarter it, then cut each quarter into thin slices. 

Use a large bowl for mixing: Tossing the salad in a large bowl helps distribute the vinaigrette evenly over the ingredients. This ensures every bite-size piece is coated in flavor.

Balance your flavors: The bitterness of radicchio pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the apple and raisins. Add a pinch of kosher salt and black pepper to bring all the flavors together.

Add some crunch: Toss in some pumpkin seeds or swap them out for walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts. These nuts add an extra texture and a pleasant crunch to your radicchio salad.

Don't rush the dressing: Pour the dressing over the vegetables and give it some time to soak in before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together and intensify the overall taste of the salad.

Serving Suggestions

• This radicchio salad recipe makes a delicious side dish for grilled chicken or fish. The crunchiness of the vegetables and the tangy vinaigrette perfectly compliment the smoky flavors of the grill.
• Radicchio salad can also be served as a light lunch. Top it with some grilled tofu or chicken for added protein. The bitterness of radicchio and sweetness of the apple will create a balance of flavors that will keep you coming back for more. I also love it with some green borscht (Ukrainian spinach soup).
• If you're having a pizza night, try serving this salad alongside. The fresh, crisp texture of the salad provides a nice contrast to the warm, cheesy pizza.
• For a heartier meal, toss in some cooked quinoa or farro into the salad. This will not only add extra nutrients but also make the salad more filling.
• Hosting a brunch? Serve this radicchio salad alongside a frittata, omelet, or some pumpkin fritters. The salad adds a refreshing element!
• You can also make this salad a part of your holiday spread alongside a butternut squash soup and cornbread dressing. The vibrant colors of the ingredients will definitely brighten up your table.

Recipe Variation Ideas for Radicchio Salad

This delicious radicchio salad recipe is so flavorful and easy to make you'll want to try out some of these delicious variations! Here are some great ideas:

Add Walnuts: For a fun twist, try adding some walnuts to the mix. Just sprinkle a handful of chopped walnuts over your salad. This will add an extra crunch to the texture and a nutty flavor that compliments the sweetness of the apple and raisins.

Try Some Blue Cheese: If you're a cheese lover, this variation is for you. Swap out the Dijon mustard with crumbled blue cheese. The strong, tangy flavor of blue cheese adds a nice contrast to the sweetness of the fruits and the bitterness of the radicchio.

Make It Zesty: For a fresh and vibrant twist, add some citrus to your salad. Peel and segment an orange or a couple of clementines and toss them in. The sweetness and acidity of the citrus will complement the flavors of the other ingredients and elevate the overall taste of the dish.

Add Some Honey: If you like your salads on the sweeter side, this variation is for you. Add a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup to the vinaigrette. The honey will counteract the bitterness of the radicchio and give the salad a delightful hint of sweetness.

Make it Creamy with Goat Cheese: Love the creamy texture in your salad? Add some crumbled goat cheese. It will provide a creamy texture and a mild, tangy flavor that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How to Store Leftover Radicchio Salad

After enjoying a delicious meal, you might be wondering how to store the leftover radicchio salad. Don't worry, I've got you covered!

In the Fridge: Place the salad in an airtight container. If the salad is dressed, it is best to consume it within a day or two, as the vinaigrette can cause the chicories to wilt and lose their crunch. If the salad is undressed, store the vinaigrette separately in a jar or bottle. This way, the salad can stay fresh for up to three to four days. Before eating, toss the salad with the vinaigrette.

Reheating: When it comes to reheating, salads are usually best served cold. However, if you prefer it at room temperature, take the salad out of the fridge about half an hour before serving to allow it to warm up slightly.

Freezing: Unfortunately, salads, especially those with lettuce and other vegetables, do not freeze well. The freezing process can damage the structure of the vegetables, making them soft and mushy upon defrosting. The same goes for the vinaigrette - the emulsion can break when frozen, affecting the texture and taste of the dressing.

More Delicious Salads

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