How to Store Radishes So They Stay Fresh and Crisp?

Fresh radishes can go soft in a matter of days if you don’t store them properly. So if you don’t want that to happen, you need to know how to store radishes so they stay fresh and crisp.

Here’s how you store radishes:

That’s the lowdown on storing radishes.

In this article, I cover the topic in much more detail and go over issues such as:

• storing cut or sliced radishes
• is refrigerating radishes necessary, and when it’s not
• handling radish greens

Sounds interesting? If so, read on.

How to Store Whole Radishes

The most practical way to store radishes is to cut off the greens and keep the root vegetable in a sealed airtight container or a resealable bag and in the fridge.

Removing the greens is crucial because if you leave them intact, they pull nutrients and moisture from the edible root and make it go soft quickly.

And in case you were wondering, the same is true for other veggies that come with greens, e.g., carrots.

Related: How to Store Carrots?

Another thing that helps with moisture retention is storing radishes in a sealed container or bag.

Almost all varieties of radishes, including the most popular red globe, benefit from that. Black radishes are an exception, as they last much longer when dry. For them, a perforated plastic bag is the best option.

Speaking of storing radishes in a container, after a day or two you will notice a bit of water in the container. That’s usually not a big deal, but if you expect to store radishes for an extended period, consider lining the container with a paper towel so that it soaks up that water.

Now, let’s talk about whether or not you need to refrigerate radishes.

Do Radishes Need to Be Refrigerated?

Unless you plan on eating your fresh radishes within 2 to 3 days, it’s better to refrigerate them. They lose their moisture slower when in the fridge and stay fresh and crisp much longer, even for up to two weeks.

Related: How Long Do Radishes Last in the Fridge?

In other words, leaving your radishes on the counter is an option only if you know you’re going to use them in a day or two.

Should You Wash Radishes Before Storing Them?

You might’ve read that you should wash your radishes before placing them in the refrigerator. That’s certainly an option, but definitely not a necessity. In other words: it’s up to you.

If you’ve got an extra couple of minutes after removing the greens, you can wash and dry the root vegetables. This way, you don’t need to wash them before using them.

If you decide to wash your radishes before storage, make sure you dry them thoroughly before placing them in the fridge. The easiest way to do that is by leaving the veggies on a kitchen towel for half an hour and then patting them dry with paper towels.

Wrapping With Moist Paper Towels

Radishes soften due to moisture loss that occurs over time. Because of that, a simple way to keep them crisp for longer is to give them an additional source of moisture they can draw from. Enter damp paper towels.

Wrapping veggies in moist paper towels is a storage technique that works well for many vegetables that prefer a humid environment. And it works well for radishes, too.

You can either wrap the radishes in a towel or line the container or ziploc bag with it. Just remember that each radish should touch the towel so that it can get moisture from it.

Storing Radishes in Water

Another option for storing radishes that’s described in various articles online is storing them submerged in water.

There are two ways to go about it:

• you cut off the greens and submerge the whole bulbs, or
• you leave the leaves and submerge the radishes so that the greens stay above water level

and both are okay storage options for about a week.

I’m not a fan of storing radishes in water because it doesn’t help storage time (they tend to last longer when not submerged), and the whole setup needs a bit more hands-on time.

It’s easier and quicker just to cut off the greens, chuck the bulbs in a container, and refrigerate.

How to Store Sliced or Cut Radishes

Store cut or sliced radishes in a small airtight container or resealable bag in the fridge. If you want the veggie to stay fresh for more than a day, wrapping it with a damp paper towel should help.

Of course, the time it takes before your cut radish goes limp depends on how it’s cut – a quarter should stay crisp much longer than a couple of thin slices.

How to Store Radish Greens?

Radish greens are edible, but you should store them separated from the bulbs.

To store radish greens, pat them dry with a paper towel and place them in a resealable plastic bag. Squeeze out excess air from the bag before sealing it tight and placing it in the fridge.

Cutting the greens off removes their source of water and nutrients (the edible root), which is why the leaves last only 2 to 3 days before they turn into soft mush. If you want to go the extra mile, consider wrapping them in a moist paper towel to get a bit more storage time.