• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Flavour and Savour
  • About Me
  • Use of Recipes and Images
  • Appetizers
  • Baking
  • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
  • Gluten-Free Desserts
  • Main Dishes
  • Healthy Salad Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About Me
  • Use of Recipes and Images
  • Appetizers
  • Baking
  • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
  • Gluten-Free Desserts
  • Main Dishes
  • Healthy Salad Recipes
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Healthy Salad Recipes » Watermelon Radish Salad with Oranges

    Watermelon Radish Salad with Oranges

    Published: Feb 21, 2019 · Modified: Jan 1, 2022 by Elaine · This post may contain Amazon affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This blog generates income via ads · 15 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    image with text for watermelon radish spinach salad

    Vibrant colours and a lively contrast in flavours and textures in this watermelon radish salad will brighten any meal. Nestled in a bed of baby spinach, sweet Satsuma oranges and maple-glazed pecans round out this winter salad.

    Watermelon Radish Salad with orange segments, maple-glazed pecans and goat cheese crumbles

    This healthy watermelon radish salad is bursting with vibrant colour! Sweet Satsuma oranges and maple-glazed pecans give it natural sweetness, while crisp, peppery watermelon radishes add a pop of colour.

    It's topped with creamy crumbled goat cheese and tossed with a simple quick-to-mix oil and vinegar dressing (with an option to use a specialty Cara Cara Orange Vanilla white balsamic vinegar.)

    Sound good? Ready to brighten your table with this winter watermelon radish salad?

    🛒 Ingredients

    This recipe makes enough for 2 large servings or 4 side salads. You will need:

    • a watermelon radish
    • oranges: try Satsuma or Cara Cara oranges or mandarins
    • baby spinach leaves
    • goat cheese: I like a mild, creamy goat cheese like the Kirkland brand sold at Costco.
    • pecans: glazed with a little pure maple syrup and sprinkled with sea salt
    • black sesame seeds:  for garnish
    • extra virgin olive oil
    • Cara Cara Orange Vanilla White Balsamic Vinegar: available in specialty olive oil stores, or substitute champagne vinegar, or make a simple Lemon Vinaigrette
    ingredients for Watermelon Radish Salad with spinach and oranges

    🔪 Instructions

    1. Arrange the salad ingredients on a platter or on individual serving plates, beginning with a bed of baby spinach leaves.
    2. Nest, add radishes, orange segments, maple-glazed pecans and crumbled goat cheese.
    3. Drizzle or toss with dressing, then garnish with a few black sesame seeds.
    4. Serve and devour this healthy spinach salad!

    ❓Frequently Asked Questions

    What are watermelon radishes?

    Watermelon radishes are a relative of Daikon radishes. They have a peppery flavour that is milder than garden radishes. Their exterior is white and nondescript, but their interior is stunningly pink and magenta. Just like garden radishes, you do not need to peel watermelon radishes unless the exterior has been bruised or damaged.

    While you can roast them and serve them as a cooked vegetable, I prefer to serve them raw as I did in this citrus spinach salad. Cooking will dull the colour.

    Where can I buy watermelon radishes?


    You can find them in many grocery stores in the produce section, and usually in specialty stores like Whole Foods, depending on the season.

    three plates of winter salads with  watermelon radishes and oranges

    👍🏼 Helpful Tips

    • It's best to use a mandoline to slice watermelon radishes, so you can create paper-thin slices. A very sharp knife will also work, but you won't be able to slice them as thinly. I like to cut the slices in half or roll some of them to make them easier to pick up with a fork.
    • While the pith on orange segments can be nutritious, I like to remove it to make salads look more appealing. A gentle scrub with a vegetable brush under running water makes this task easy.
    • To make maple-glazed pecans, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the pecans and maple syrup and heat, swirling the pan and watching closely, as they will burn quickly if left unattended. Once they become fragrant and are beginning to brown, remove the pecans to a piece of parchment paper or a clean plate. Next, sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and set aside to cool.

    🔁 Possible Substitutions

    • I used the most simple dressing possible on this winter watermelon salad recipe! I combined a little olive oil with one of my favourite specialty balsamic vinegars:  Cara Cara Orange Vanilla White Balsamic Vinegar. It adds a touch of sweetness and citrus notes.
    • However, you can substitute Champagne Vinegar, or make a simple Lemon Vinaigrette, like I used in this Fennel Apple Chicken Salad with Pumpkin Spice Pecans.
    • You can substitute feta cheese for the goat cheese in this recipe.
    • Use the sweetest oranges you can find! They make a nice contrast with the peppery radish.
    • No pecans? Try Maple-Glazed Walnuts instead.
    Watermelon Radish Satsuma Spinach Salad
    Bright colours, citrus flavours and creamy goat cheese make this watermelon radish salad a winter favourite!

    🗒 More Healthy Salad Recipes

    • Pomegranate Mandarin Salad with Avocado and Feta
    • Orange Date and Pomegranate Spinach Salad
    • Red Quinoa Tabouli with Pomegranate
    • Kiwi Mandarin Spinach Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing
    • Winter Citrus Salad with Arugula and Goat Cheese
    • 6 Dinner Salads that Will Fill you Up
    • Brussels Sprout Salad with Cranberries and Pecans

    When you make this winter salad with watermelon radishes, please leave a comment and a rating below. I love hearing when you've made one of my recipes. Thanks in advance!

    Subscribe to my weekly newsletter and have new recipes delivered straight to your inbox.

    • Two bowls of Asian Pear Chopped Salad with blue cheese and cranberries.
      Asian Pear Chopped Salad with Blue Cheese
    • Overhead view of ingredients for chopped chicken taco salad in sections in a shallow white serving bowl.
      Chopped Chicken Taco Salad with Zesty Lime Dressing
    • Asparagus Smoked Salmon Salad with Sesame Miso Vinaigrette
      Smoked Salmon Asparagus Salad with Sesame Miso Vinaigrette
    • a small pitcher of lemon tahini dressing
      Simple Lemon Tahini Dressing Recipe

    📖 Recipe

    watermelon radish salad with spinach, oranges, goat cheese and pecans

    Watermelon Radish and Satsuma Spinach Salad

    Vibrant colours and a lively contrast in flavours and textures in this watermelon radish salad with oranges will brighten any meal. Nestled in a bed of baby spinach, sweet Satsuma oranges and maple-glazed pecans round out this winter salad.
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salads and Dressings
    Cuisine: American, Canadian
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 201kcal
    Author: Elaine
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups baby spinach leaves, washed, dried, tough stems removed
    • 1 medium watermelon radish
    • 2 medium Satsuma oranges, or Cara Cara oranges or mandarins
    • 2 oz (60 gm) goat cheese
    • ¼ cup pecans
    • 2 teaspoon maple syrup
    • pinch sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds, optional
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil, extra virgin
    • 3 tablespoon Cara Cara Vanilla White Balsamic Vinegar or champagne vinegar

    Instructions

    • Wash and dry spinach and trim tough stems.
    • Using a mandoline or very sharp knife, slice the watermelon radish into paper thin slices.
    • Peel oranges and remove as much of the pith as possible. Brushing the peeled oranges under running water with a soft vegetable brush works well for this task.
    • To make Maple-Glazed Pecans, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the pecans and maple syrup and heat, swirling the pan and watching closely, as they will burn quickly if left unattended. Once they become fragrant and are beginning to brown, remove the pecans to a piece of parchment paper or a clean plate. Next, sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and set aside to cool.
    • Arrange the salad ingredients on a platter or on individual serving plates, beginning with a bed of baby spinach leaves, then add radishes, oranges, maple-glazed pecans and crumbled goat cheese.  Whisk olive oil and white balsamic vinegar together and toss or drizzle on salad. Sprinkle with black sesame seeds. Serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 96mg | Potassium: 378mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 3260IU | Vitamin C: 26.5mg | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 1.6mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @enessman or tag #flavourandsavour!

    More recipes to try soon

    • Dill Caprese Salad on a platter with fresh sprigs of dill weed.
      Caprese Salad Recipe with Homemade Dill Dressing
    • a bowl of quinoa black bean salad with peaches and pumpkin seeds
      Quinoa Black Bean Salad with Peaches
    • Greek Watermelon Basil Salad in an oval bowl with a gold spoon
      Greek Watermelon Basil Salad
    • Pesto caprese salad with cherry tomatoes and balsamic glaze.
      Easy Pesto Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kim

      March 01, 2019 at 3:35 am

      5 stars
      Looks so fresh and delicious! i love the additions of the nuts and goat cheese - that salty-sweet, creamy combination is fantastic.

      Reply
    2. Denise@urbnspice

      February 28, 2019 at 5:40 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a gorgeous salad, Elaine! I can imagine serving it at a ladies luncheon, although, in fact, I think that I would create an event around your salad. I must look for the specialty Cara Cara Orange Vanilla White Balsamic Vinegar. It sounds like a wonderful pairing with these colourfully fresh ingredients. Thanks so much for sharing.

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        February 28, 2019 at 7:42 pm

        Thanks so much, Denise! You're right--it would make a great luncheon salad! Thanks for commenting!

        Reply
    3. Cathy

      February 27, 2019 at 10:05 am

      5 stars
      I must find myself some watermelon radishes. We had some in Florida once. Until then, I've Pinned this. 🙂

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        February 28, 2019 at 7:41 pm

        Thanks Cathy. I get pretty excited when I find them, lol!

        Reply
    4. marilyn @family food around the clock

      February 27, 2019 at 8:07 am

      5 stars
      What a gorgeous salad! you have added so many different flavoured elements! I for sure will try. Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        February 27, 2019 at 8:12 am

        Thanks Marilyn! Hope you love it as much as we do!

        Reply
    5. Leslie

      February 27, 2019 at 6:10 am

      5 stars
      Yum! What a lovely winter salad! Satsumas are perfect at this time of year and watermelon radishes are incredibly beautiful!

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        February 27, 2019 at 8:11 am

        Thanks Leslie! I love adding citrus fruit to salad and you're right: Satsumas are at their peak right now. Thanks for commenting!

        Reply
    6. Marisa

      February 25, 2019 at 9:18 pm

      I’ve never had watermelon radishes but I’m totally loving it in this pretty and colourful salad. It looks amazing!

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        February 27, 2019 at 8:10 am

        Thanks Marisa! I jump for joy when I find watermelon radishes! They're so pretty in a salad.

        Reply
    7. Colleen

      February 25, 2019 at 8:36 pm

      5 stars
      Elaine, beautiful food is always the most delicious, and this salad is just that. Not only beautiful, but the radish, orange, and pecans make a beautiful flavour combo that I just can't wait to try! Pinning!

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        February 27, 2019 at 8:09 am

        Thanks so much, Colleen! Yes---we eat with our eyes first, don't we!

        Reply
    8. Dawn - Girl Heart Food

      February 25, 2019 at 4:07 pm

      5 stars
      Vibrant indeed! What a pretty looking salad! Love the crispness from the radish and the bright citrus! Everyone's winter needs this beauty 🙂 Gotta look out for the watermelon radish next time I'm at the grocery. Pinned!

      Reply
      • Flavour & Savour

        February 25, 2019 at 4:49 pm

        Thanks Dawn! Yes, bleak winter days need bright colours and lots of Vitamin C!

        Reply

    Leave a comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Find the perfect recipe

    Elaine from Flavour and Savour

    Welcome! I'm Elaine

    Gluten-free Made Easy!

    I create delicious gluten-free recipes that everyone can make. Gluten-free eating doesn’t have to be complicated! I’ll help you make healthy meals that you’ll want to share with family and friends. About Me!

    Popular Posts

    • Two mugs of affogato coffee.
      How to Make an Affogato Coffee Dessert
    • baked lemon chicken thighs on a platter with lemon wedges
      Easy Baked Lemon Chicken
    • seafood pot pie with a puff pastry lid in a small blue casserole dish
      Seafood Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
    • 8 zucchini patties on a plate with herbs
      Crispy Baked Zucchini Patties with Lemon Tahini Dip

    Hello Fall!

    • Overhead view of a bowl of apple pecan crisp with ice cream and caramel sauce.
    • Square image of pumpkin pecan caramel coffee cake.
    • A small black plate with four gluten-free pumpkin pecan chocolate chip cookies.
    Brands that feature Flavour and Savour.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    About Me

    Privacy Policy

    Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    SIGN UP HERE

    for weekly recipes and tips!

    Contact

    Contact me

    Use of Recipes and Images

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Copyright © 2015 - 2023