This Radicchio Salad is all about bold, tart, sweet, and slightly bitter flavors. The secret? A mix of radicchio, matchstick apple slices, carrot ribbons, and a bite from pumpkin seeds.
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Why This Recipe Stands Out
My Radicchio Salad with Apple and Carrot is a delicious, refreshing, and vibrant salad that's perfect for any meal. Here's why we love it:
- Super Healthy: Radicchio is loaded with vitamins and minerals, and it's known for being an antioxidant powerhouse.
- Added Crunch: The combination of radicchio, carrots, and apples gives this salad the perfect amount of crunch.
- Colorful: The vibrant colors in this salad make it as visually appealing as it is delicious.
- Balanced Dressing: The apple cider vinaigrette is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, and it complements the salad ingredients perfectly.
- Simple to make: This recipe is super simple to make, and it's a great way to use up any leftover produce you have in the fridge.
Key Ingredients
- Radicchio – Radicchio is a slightly bitter leafy green that adds a wonderful depth of flavor and a satisfying crunch to our salad. It's also packed with nutrients like vitamin K and antioxidants.
- Carrots – We use carrots for their sweet, earthy flavor and their beautiful, vibrant orange color. They add a nice crunch and are a great source of beta-carotene.
- Apple – We love the sweet, crisp contrast that apples bring to this salad. They add a refreshing flavor and a juicy crunch.
- Raisins – Raisins add a natural sweetness and a chewy texture that contrasts beautifully with the crunchy vegetables.
- Pumpkin Seeds – Pumpkin seeds add a delicious nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch. They're also packed with protein and healthy fats.
- Garlic – A small clove of garlic is all you need to add a subtle, savory kick to the dressing.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – We love the tangy, slightly fruity flavor that apple cider vinegar adds to the dressing.
- Olive Oil – Olive oil not only adds a rich, fruity flavor to the dressing, but it also helps to emulsify the ingredients for a smooth, creamy texture.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are some of our favorite variations and substitutions:
- Greens: This recipe calls for radicchio, but feel free to mix it up with other greens. Try using arugula or even thinly sliced kale for a different flavor and texture.
- Nuts and Seeds: If pumpkin seeds aren’t your thing, consider using sunflower seeds or chopped almonds instead. They’ll add the same satisfying crunch to the salad.
- Fruit: The sweet apple and raisins add a nice contrast to the bitter radicchio, but you could also try using pears or dried cranberries for a different spin.
How to Make Radicchio Salad
Step 1: Shred the radicchio and cut the apple and carrots into thin matchstick-like pieces.
Step 2: Combine the shredded radicchio, carrots, apple, raisins, capers, and pumpkin seeds in a large bowl.
Step 3: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the pressed garlic, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper to make the dressing.
Step 4: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and mix well to combine. Serve and enjoy!
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
What to Serve with Radicchio Salad
- Radicchio salad can also be served as a light lunch. Top it with some grilled tofu or chicken for added protein. 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.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Radicchio is a leafy vegetable known for its vibrant, deep red or purple leaves. It belongs to the chicory family and has a slightly bitter taste. It’s known for its crisp texture and is a popular ingredient in Italian cuisine, often used in salads, grilled, or as a garnish. It tastes particularly good in salads.
Remove any wilted outer leaves from the radicchio. Cut it in half, and slice each half thinly to create shreds.
Absolutely! Feel free to add other ingredients like nuts for extra crunch, or blue cheese or feta for added creaminess. The beauty of this radicchio salad recipe is its versatility. You can even add oranges or pear for a citrusy twist.
Radicchio salad can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, it's best enjoyed fresh, so we recommend dressing and serving it on the same day for the best flavor and texture.
More Delicious Salads
Recipe
Radicchio Salad with Homemade Dressing (Classic Flavors!)
Ingredients
- ½ head radicchio
- 2 medium carrots peeled into thin ribbons or grated using a large holes of box grater
- 1 small apple such as Gala or Daisy
- ¼ c raisins
- 2 tablespoon capers
- ¼ c pumpkin seeds
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt, pepper
Instructions
- Remove any wilted outer leaves from Radicchio. Cut it in half, and slice each half thinly to create shreds.
- Core and quarter the apple, then cut each quarter into thin slices. Cut each slice into thin match-like sticks.
- In a large bowl combine, shredded Radicchio, carrots, apple, raisins, capers and pumpkin seeds.
- In a small bowl whisk garlic pushed through a garlic press, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard and salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetables and mix to combine.
- Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
Nina says
Looks bright! I think it's great for any season as a source of vitamins and many other goods.