radicchio recipes

Last Updated on October 24, 2023

Take a bite of this scrumptious radicchio salad with vinaigrette. Having a nutritious winter salad doesn’t have to be boring.

You’ll never stop munching on the mix of clean-tasting green leafy vegetables, with the bitterness of the radicchio, slices of pear, and a sprinkle of dried cranberries to give it a hint of sweetness.

radicchio recipes

Then it is given a toss with an olive oil-based dressing that’s booming with flavor.

So if you’re looking for a quick salad filling enough to be a complete meal with simple ingredients, you’ve come to the right place!

With this recipe, you’ll learn how to assemble the salad and make the dressing with ease.

Radicchio Salad Recipe -Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This salad can be turned into a meal on its own. You can make it for lunch, dinner, or whenever you don’t have time to slave away in the kitchen.
  • The dressing is easy to make and is mixed in a jar. You don’t have to tire yourself out from whisking! Plus it’s easy to store if you have leftovers.
  • It only takes a few moments to assemble the salad when you have a party or guests over. Just toss the greens together then drizzle the dressing or add tablespoons for better portioning.

Ingredients

This salad and dressing combo has all the flavors and textures to make your tastebuds sing.

It has an earthy bitter flavor from the radicchio, sweetness from the pear slices, tanginess from the dried cranberries, and crunch from the pumpkin seeds.

simple radicchio salad
  • 1 small head of radicchio – This will be the base for your dish. It has a vibrant reddish color that you will love to see on the plate. It has an earthy, lingering bitter taste that’s perfect for building our flavors.
  • 2 cups packed mixed Greens (or salad mix) approx. 70g – A convenient mix of greens that’s a great addition to our salad. I usually get this around the supermarket or the nearest grocery. 
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds – These little seeds might be small but they pack flavor. They add crunch and a nutty taste to your salad.
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries – I really like these little dried fruits. They add a tart taste with a hint of mild sweetness that no one can resist.
  • 1 pc ripe pear – Another great element for the salad. They add a refreshing juiciness and another layer of pleasant crunch.

Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe

This dressing is really a breeze to make. I can make this ahead of time and store it in the fridge. So whenever I need to make a quick salad I just grab it and drizzle.

grilled radicchio salad

Really handy to have around when you have guests come over.

It also has a velvety mouthfeel and a sweet-tangy flavor due to the olive oil, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar base.

  • 3 tbsp whole-grain mustard
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

How To make radicchio salad

how to make radicchio pear salad

Assemble the salad:

  1. Grab a jar and place the mustard, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar inside. Season with sea salt and black pepper, then cover with the lid. Shake the jar until the dressing is combined well. Set aside and chill in the fridge.
  2. Take the radicchio leaves and chop it into bite-sized pieces. Place the chopped radicchio in a colander.
  3. Add the salad greens, and place them in the colander as well.  Rinse them under cold water to clean them first. Make sure they are dry and transfer them into a large bowl then give them a good toss. Then sprinkle the pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries around the salad. Slice the pear thinly and add it to the bowl with the other ingredients.
  4. Take your salad dressing and drizzle the desired amount around the salad. You can also add it using a tablespoon for better control. Serve and enjoy! You can also serve the salad in individual small bowls for sharing.
endive radicchio salad

What are radicchios and their varieties 

Radicchio is a member of the Chicory family and is known to be in the endive group.

It is characterized by edible leaves with white veins running across them and colors that vary from deep purple to dark red.

They have varying degrees of bitterness and get a sweet note the more it age.

Here are its varieties:

  • Rosso di Treviso Tardivo – is the first one to be cultivated. It’s a resilient plant that can survive harsh winters when no other plant can sustain life. Because of this, it is considered the king of radicchios. It has slender leaves that resemble tentacles which curl at the top and a white mid-rib part. It also has the mildest flavor and crunchiness. It’s best eaten raw with a light seasoning of salt and olive oil.
  • Rosa del Veneto – has a pink color and the most bitter flavor among all the other varieties. It is also best eaten raw as it loses its pink color when cooked.
  • Variegato di Castelfranco – This is the queen of radicchios. also known as the tulip of winter for its tulip-like head. The leaves are thin yet crisp, which are green speckled with red on the outside and buttery-yellow as you move towards the center. It has a somewhat milder taste and is more elegant looking compared to other varieties.
  • Rosso di Treviso Precoce – It has deep red colored leaves and a thick white midrib and forms a dense football shape. The leaves taste bitter but the midrib tends to be on the sweet side.
  • Rosso di Verona – described as the cutest radicchio. It has triangular-shaped leaves which are great for holding fillings. It also gets sweeter as the weather begins to get colder.
  • Rosso di Chioggia – is the most common one we see in groceries and is simply known as radicchio. Its appearance is similar to a deep red cabbage. Its veins are integrated into the leaves and are bitter as well. They can be grilled or just chopped to be eaten raw.

Tips, Variations, And Substitutions

endive and radicchio salad

🥗 Arugula – This leafy vegetable can be a substitute for mixed salad greens.

I think it will pair well with the radicchio as it has the same bitter, peppery taste. Arugula also packs a lot of health benefits which is amazing.

🥗 Vegan cheese or feta – If you want a creamy element added to the salad you can sprinkle in some cheese. Just break them into smaller pieces.

🥗 Orange slices – These bright and citrusy fruits are a welcome addition to any salad. They just add a layer of freshness to the dish.

🥗 Almonds or walnuts – They add a nutty flavor and add to the texture of the salad. I try to toast them on the stove or roast them in the oven to bring out their natural oil and intensify their flavor.

You can also swap them with the pumpkin seeds whichever you prefer.

🥗 Peel the pears if you don’t like the taste of the skin. It also makes the pear slices more tender.

How to make it a meal?

Rather than just serving bigger portions you can make this salad into a complete meal by just adding a few more ingredients.

Whenever I want this dish to be more filling I add some cooked chickpeas, shredded, or tofu will provide this salad with a source of protein.

Also sprinkling some chopped walnuts or croutons will give this a source of carbs which can be controlled by how much you put.

Why do I need to toast the seeds or nuts?

Toasting the nuts or pumpkin seeds on the stovetop or giving them a roast in the oven brings out their natural oils which intensify their nutty flavor.

It also gets rid of moisture to give them a more crunchy texture. So if you have a little bit of extra time don’t skip this step.

How do I make this into a make-ahead meal?

Once the dressing is made you can just pop the lid on and keep it chilled in the fridge.

I usually make the dressing the day before to make it more convenient.

As for the salad if you’ve already done the prep time, just keep them in a tightly sealed container and keep them in the fridge as well.

Keeping them separate prevents the salad from getting sloppy and wilted before it’s time to serve.

I just toss them together 5 minutes before mealtime to keep them fresh.

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endive radicchio

MORE SALAD RECIPES TO TRY

radicchio recipes

Radicchio Pear Salad

Elevate your salad game with this irresistible combination of radicchio and sweet pear. A delightful twist on a classic dish!
5 from 7 votes
Print Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 264kcal
Author: SHU-CHUN

Ingredients

  • 1 small radicchio cut into bite-size
  • 2 cup mixed salad green packed
  • ½ cup pumpkin seeds
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 1 pc ripe pear thinly sliced

VINAIGRETTE DRESSING RECIPE

Instructions

  • Grab a jar and place the mustard, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar inside. Season with sea salt and black pepper, then cover with the lid. Shake the jar until the dressing is combined well. Set aside and chill in the fridge.
  • Take the radicchio leaves and chop it into bite-sized pieces. Place the chopped radicchio in a colander.
  • Add the salad greens, and place them in the colander as well.  Rinse them under cold water to clean them first. Make sure they are dry and transfer them into a large bowl then give them a good toss. Then sprinkle the pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries around the salad. Slice the pear thinly and add it to the bowl with the other ingredients.
  • Take your salad dressing and drizzle the desired amount around the salad. You can also add it using a tablespoon for better control. Serve and enjoy! You can also serve the salad in individual small bowls for sharing.

Nutrition

Serving: 1person | Calories: 264kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 723mg | Potassium: 270mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 247IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg