Herb and Radish Salad with Feta and Walnuts Recipe
If you’re looking for a salad that’s positively bursting with freshness, vibrant color, and satisfying textures, the Herb and Radish Salad with Feta and Walnuts is pure magic in a bowl. Imagine crisp radishes and a fragrant mix of herbs tangled together with creamy feta and toasted walnuts, all draped in a zippy lemon-honey dressing. This is a salad that makes ordinary days feel like a picnic and every table look a little more inviting. Whether you serve it as a springtime side or a quick, nutritious lunch, the true joy of Herb and Radish Salad with Feta and Walnuts is in how every bite manages to be both refreshing and deeply flavorful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This salad celebrates the magic that happens when you combine just a handful of simple, quality ingredients. Each component brings its own note: crispness, tang, creaminess, or crunch, all working together for a dish that’s as exciting to look at as it is to eat!
- Mixed fresh herbs and greens (4 cups): Go wild with parsley, dill, mint, arugula, and baby spinach—a blend makes things flavorful, aromatic, and beautifully green.
- Radishes (1 cup, thinly sliced): These bring lovely color and a peppery crunch, which is the perfect contrast with softer greens.
- Feta cheese (1/2 cup, crumbled): For a creamy, tangy touch that unites all the flavors and adds richness.
- Toasted walnuts (1/3 cup, roughly chopped): Their buttery crunch provides irresistible texture—toast them for even more flavor.
- Extra-virgin olive oil (2 tablespoons): The base of our dressing, making it silky and luxurious.
- Fresh lemon juice (1 tablespoon): Adds brightness and acidity to perk up all the greens.
- Honey or maple syrup (1 teaspoon): For subtle sweetness that balances out the sharpness of the lemon and radish.
- Dijon mustard (1/2 teaspoon): This acts as an emulsifier and gives the dressing a gentle nudge of heat.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances all the wonderful flavors in the salad.
- Black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Adds subtle warmth and a touch of spice at the finish.
How to Make Herb and Radish Salad with Feta and Walnuts
Step 1: Prepare the Greens and Herbs
Start by washing and thoroughly drying all your greens and herbs—trust me, a little patience here pays off with a fluffy, fresh salad. Tear or chop any larger leaves (like spinach or arugula) so everything is bite-sized. Toss your chosen blend of herbs and greens into a large salad bowl. The more variety you include, the more aromatic and exciting every forkful will be.
Step 2: Slice the Radishes
Grab your sharpest knife or mandoline, and slice the radishes wafer-thin. The thinner they are, the more that gorgeous crunch sings through the greens! Scatter the slices over your bowl of herbs and greens, letting their jewel-bright color pop against all that green.
Step 3: Add Feta and Walnuts
Sprinkle the crumbled feta over the salad, letting little nuggets fall between the leaves. Next, add the roughly chopped toasted walnuts—don’t skip the toasting, as it brings an amazing toasty depth and that signature crunch. Every bite should have a bit of creamy feta and that delicious nutty finish.
Step 4: Whisk the Dressing
In a small bowl or jar, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk or shake until the mixture turns creamy and emulsified. The honey helps everything come together and tempers the lemon’s acidity so the Herb and Radish Salad with Feta and Walnuts tastes bright, not sharp.
Step 5: Toss and Serve
Just before serving, pour the dressing over the salad. Use clean hands or two big spoons to gently toss everything together, making sure every leaf is lightly coated and the feta and nuts are evenly distributed. Serve right away, and savor how the flavors and textures all come alive at once!
How to Serve Herb and Radish Salad with Feta and Walnuts
Garnishes
Finish this salad with an extra sprinkle of fresh herbs—dill fronds, mint, or parsley make it extra beautiful right before bringing it to the table. A few extra radish slices or a dusting of lemon zest can make it look restaurant-worthy in seconds. Drizzle with a bit more olive oil for a glossy, inviting finish if you like.
Side Dishes
This lively salad pairs perfectly with Mediterranean favorites: think grilled chicken skewers, flaky baked fish, or roasted vegetables. It’s also lovely with warm pita or as part of a colorful mezze spread alongside hummus and olives. The light flavors of Herb and Radish Salad with Feta and Walnuts let more robust mains take the lead but still bring something special to every plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Try piling your Herb and Radish Salad with Feta and Walnuts on a wide platter so guests can see all its layers, or mound it in individual shallow bowls for a modern, composed look. For picnics, jar salads work like a charm—layer the dressing at the bottom and greens up top, then just shake when you’re ready to eat. You could even tuck it inside a fresh pita for an easy salad wrap!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any salad left, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day. Note that the greens will start to wilt and soften once dressed, so it’s best to keep the dressing separate and only toss together what you plan to eat fresh.
Freezing
Because the greens and radishes are delicate, this salad isn’t a candidate for freezing—the texture won’t survive the cold! If you want to save components, freeze only the toasted walnuts separately and assemble the rest fresh for best results.
Reheating
This is a no-cook, fresh salad, so reheating isn’t necessary or recommended. If you chill it, simply let it come closer to room temperature for a few minutes before serving to help the flavors shine.
FAQs
Can I substitute the feta for another cheese?
Absolutely! Goat cheese crumbles or a mild ricotta salata are both delicious in place of feta. For a dairy-free version of Herb and Radish Salad with Feta and Walnuts, try vegan feta or skip the cheese entirely—there’s still plenty of flavor.
What other nuts can I use if I don’t have walnuts?
This salad is versatile—you can swap the walnuts for toasted almonds, pistachios, or even pecans. Each nut brings a unique crunch and flavor, so use what you love or have on hand.
Can I make the dressing ahead of time?
Yes! Whip up the dressing and store it in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just give it a quick shake before adding to your Herb and Radish Salad with Feta and Walnuts for a perfectly creamy consistency.
Is this salad suitable for vegan or gluten-free diets?
Yes, it’s naturally gluten-free, and you can easily make it vegan by using vegan feta and maple syrup instead of honey. The Herb and Radish Salad with Feta and Walnuts is endlessly customizable for a range of dietary needs.
What’s the best way to toast the walnuts?
Scatter the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat and stir frequently for 4-5 minutes, or until golden and fragrant. Let them cool before adding to the salad so they stay nice and crisp.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason this Herb and Radish Salad with Feta and Walnuts has become a staple in my kitchen—it’s quick, elegant, and irresistibly tasty! If you’ve been searching for a salad that’s light but packed with interest, give this one a try. I can’t wait for you to see just how much flavor and joy a handful of fresh ingredients can bring to your table.
Print
Herb and Radish Salad with Feta and Walnuts Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Herb and Radish Salad with Feta and Walnuts is a refreshing and vibrant dish perfect for spring and summer. The combination of fresh herbs, peppery radishes, creamy feta cheese, and crunchy walnuts, all tossed in a zesty dressing, creates a delicious and nutritious salad.
Ingredients
Fresh Herb and Green Mix
- 4 cups mixed fresh herbs and greens (such as parsley, dill, mint, arugula, and baby spinach)
Radishes
- 1 cup thinly sliced radishes
Feta Cheese
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Walnuts
- 1/3 cup toasted walnuts (roughly chopped)
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, mix herbs, greens, radishes, feta, and walnuts.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Toss Salad: Drizzle dressing over the salad, toss gently to coat.
- Serve: Serve immediately for the best taste.
Notes
- You can substitute walnuts with almonds or pistachios.
- For a dairy-free option, use vegan feta or omit cheese.
- This salad complements grilled chicken, fish, or mezze spreads.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
