Fresh Radish Hummus

I never thought about putting radishes in hummus until I saw my neighbor doing it at a block party last summer. Growing up, radishes were just those spicy red circles my mom put in salads that I’d push to the side of my plate.

But this hummus changed everything for me. The peppery kick from the radishes gives regular hummus a fresh twist, and the pink color makes it look like something special. If you’re tired of plain hummus but don’t want to overthink it, this recipe is exactly what you need.

What Kind of Radishes Should I Use?

Regular red globe radishes are perfect for this hummus recipe, but you’ve got plenty of other options too. French Breakfast radishes, with their milder flavor and elongated shape, can work really well here, while watermelon radishes will give your hummus a beautiful pink color. When picking your radishes at the store, look for firm ones with crisp, bright greens still attached – that’s how you know they’re fresh. Just make sure to give them a good wash and trim off any greens before using them in your hummus. If your radishes are particularly spicy (you can taste a small piece to check), you might want to soak them in ice water for about 30 minutes to mellow out their bite.

Options for Substitutions

This unique hummus recipe can be adjusted with several substitutions if needed:

• Radishes: Since radishes are the star here, you’ll want to keep them. However, you can mix different radish varieties like watermelon radishes, daikon, or regular red radishes – they all work great!
• Tahini: If you’re out of tahini, you can use sunflower seed butter or cashew butter. The flavor will be slightly different, but you’ll still get that nice creamy texture. Just note that the color might change a bit.
• Lemon juice: Fresh lime juice works perfectly as a substitute. In a pinch, you could also use apple cider vinegar – start with half the amount and adjust to taste.
• Olive oil: Feel free to swap in avocado oil or even a light vegetable oil. Each will give slightly different results, but they’ll all work to create that smooth consistency.
• Garlic: If fresh garlic isn’t available, you can use ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder. Or try roasted garlic for a milder, sweeter flavor – use 2-3 cloves in this case.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making radish hummus is getting the right texture – many home cooks add all the olive oil at once, which can make the hummus too runny and difficult to correct. Instead, drizzle the oil in slowly while the food processor is running, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides for the perfect consistency.

Another common mistake is not slicing the radishes thinly enough before processing, which can lead to chunks in your final product – aim for thin, uniform slices to ensure a smooth blend.

To prevent your hummus from being too bitter, make sure to trim the radish ends completely and taste-test as you go, adjusting the lemon juice and salt gradually rather than adding it all at once.

For the best flavor development, let your hummus rest in the fridge for at least an hour before serving, allowing the garlic and radish flavors to meld together properly.

What to Serve With Radish Hummus?

This bright and fresh radish hummus makes a great addition to any snack spread or appetizer platter! For dipping, grab your favorite raw vegetables like cucumber slices, carrot sticks, and bell pepper strips – they’ll give you a nice crunch factor. Warm pita bread or pita chips are perfect for scooping up this dip, and you can also spread it on sandwiches or wraps instead of mayo. If you’re putting together a bigger spread, try serving this alongside other Mediterranean-inspired dishes like falafel, olives, or a simple Greek salad for a complete meal.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This radish hummus stays good in the fridge for about 4-5 days when kept in an airtight container. The olive oil helps create a natural barrier that keeps it fresh. Give it a quick stir before serving, as the oil might separate a bit on top.

Make Ahead: You can whip up this hummus a day or two before your gathering – it actually tastes even better after the flavors have had time to mingle! Just remember to take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before serving to let it come to room temperature.

Freeze: While you can freeze this hummus for up to 3 months, keep in mind that the texture might change slightly when thawed. If you do freeze it, leave a little space at the top of your container since it can expand a bit.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	20 minutes
Total Time	30-35 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 600-650
• Protein: 5-7 g
• Fat: 70-75 g
• Carbohydrates: 20-25 g

Ingredients

• 2 cups sliced radishes
• 1/2 tablespoon tahini
• Juice from half a lemon
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/3 cup olive oil

Step 1: Prepare the Radishes for Roasting

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to get it ready for roasting.

Remove any stalks from the radishes and arrange them evenly across a shallow baking tray.

Drizzle the radishes with a little olive oil to ensure they roast well.

Step 2: Roast the Radishes

Place the baking tray with radishes into the preheated oven.

Roast them for about 20 minutes or until they become tender.

This roasting process will enhance the flavor of the radishes and prepare them for blending.

Step 3: Blend the Ingredients

Once the radishes are roasted to perfection, transfer them to a food processor.

Add tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and a bit more oil to the processor.

Blend all of these ingredients together until the mixture is thick and creamy, ensuring everything is well combined.

Step 4: Season and Adjust the Texture

Taste the blended mixture and season it to your liking with salt and pepper.

If you prefer a thinner texture, gradually add more oil and continue blending until it reaches your desired consistency.

Taste again and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Transfer the creamy mixture to a serving dish.

Optionally, you can drizzle it with extra oil for added richness and sprinkle with sesame seeds for a touch of crunch and visual appeal.

Enjoy your delicious roasted radish dip!