Grilled Hakurei Turnips and Radishes are super delicious. The perfect farm to table recipe that is easy to prepare. Simple basic eating using fresh ingredients.
Japanese turnips are about the size of radishes. Grab them at your farmer’s markets.
Over that last few weeks, I have been getting fresh produce, baked goods, pickles, preserves, meat, and more at a local REKO network market.
In my last order, I received some red radishes and (so I thought) white radishes. After asking the farmer, I was told they were actually Hakurei turnips.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this grilled turnip recipe are at the bottom of this post.
I am not a radish lover (except in potato salad). I always include turnips in a stew but wanted to find a new way to enjoy them.
Now I had to figure out what to do with the radishes. I didn’t want to eat them raw. I didn’t want to pickle them. Grilled radishes sounded like a great idea to me.
For This Turnip Recipe You Will Need:
- Hakurei turnips
- radishes
- olive oil
- salt and pepper
- fresh herbs (your choice)
This is such an easy recipe. Made in a matter of minutes. Simple basic ingredients.
My choice of herb was summer savory that I have growing in my herb garden. You can use anything you like. Some great options would be:
- rosemary
- thyme
- oregano
- chives
- dill
I like to use a *(affiliate) grill basket, especially when the vegetables are on the small side. If you prefer, you can place the turnips and radishes directly on the grates.
Check out some of my other recipes for the grill:
- Grilled Garlic Scapes are a great bbq side dish. You need to grab these seasonal gems right at the beginning of the growing season. Did you know they are the tops of garlic plants?
- Loaded Grilled Mushroom Caps make a great appetizer or main dish. Another fun recipe for summer entertaining.
- Grilled Shishito Peppers are sure to be a bbq party hit.
- Grilled Balsamic Strawberries are great as a dessert or brunch idea.
What are Japanese Turnips?
Hakurei or Tokyo turnips are a root vegetable, found often in pickles and miso soup. About the same size as a radish, with a delicate flavour and crunchy texture.
You can eat them raw, perfect for adding to salads. They can be roasted and grilled, which intensifies their sweetness. I did not even peel before cooking.
Be sure to reserve the turnip greens. You can slice them up and use as a salad green, or cook them similar to Swiss chard or spinach.
Preparing Grilled Hakurei Turnips and Radishes
It really does not get easier than this. I love simple basic recipes.
- Wash and trim the radishes and turnips
- Cut them in half
- Place them in a bowl
- Add the olive oil, salt, and pepper
- Grill over medium-high heat until fork tender
- Remove from heat
- Add the chopped fresh herbs, toss and serve
That is it! The perfect side dish for any barbecue. If you have never tried these tasty little gems, it is worth hunting some down.
REKO Direct Trade Concept
The REKO concept is pretty cool. With the shopping restrictions in place, many farmer’s markets are not open. This concept allows consumers to easily get products directly from farmers/artisans.
You join a Facebook group for the REKO in your area. The sellers list the products that will be available for delivery. Consumers leave messages within the Facebook forum.
You pay via e-transfer to confirm your order. There is a scheduled delivery day. You arrive, pick up your order and leave. Fast and easy. Farmers are not there to sell, only to deliver the pre-ordered items. No actual shopping happens. This is the perfect curbside pickup.
The farmers love this concept of direct to consumer relationship. They have zero waste since they only bring the items that have been sold and paid for. The veggies used in this recipe were from Foragers Farms.
Looking for a few more delicious simple grilled vegetables to try? Here are a few:
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Grilled Hakurei Turnips and Radishes
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Hakueri turnips (7-9 fresh turnips)
- 6 ounces radishes (8-10 fresh radishes)
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoons fresh herbs (I used Summer Savory)
Instructions
- Wash, trim and cut the turnips in ½ and place in a large bowl.
- Add the olive oil, salt and pepper and toss to coat well.
- Heat the bbq to medium high.
- Place the radishes and turnips in a grill basket on the heated bbq, and cook for about 10 minutes until slightly charred and fork tender.
- While the veggies are cooking, chop the fresh herbs.
- Remove the cooked turnips and radishes from the heat. Place in a bowl.
- Add the chopped herbs, toss and serve.
- ENJOY!! The perfect farm to table dish for summer.
Monica
Love this! The turnips look delicious, and I am so excited to read more about the REKO concept. I had not heard of it before but it sounds perfect for getting more local produce in these crazy times. Thanks for sharing!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
It really is a cool concept. I am really enjoying my shopping experience…and the produce is so fresh.
Neha
Wow! I never tried grilling radishes and turnips before. And boy these look good, I am thrilled to give them a go.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This was our first time….and certainly not our last.
Sharon
I love radishes in salads and for dipping in creamy ranch dip. Grilling them gives them a nice upgrade for summer.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
They really take on a mild and sweet flavour on the grill. Such a great way to enjoy them.
Heidy
I haven’t had turnips in years! I was so excited to find your Grilled Hakurei Turnips and Radishes recipe the other day! I will be making this on Saturday and I cannot wait to taste it!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Hope you enjoy these as much as we do. Happy grilling.
Denise
I have never heard of hakurei turnips, but I am now going to look for them! What a delicious grilling idea!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This was the first time I tried them too….hope you can find some at the market and give these a try.
Dannii
What a great way to use turnip and radishes. These look perfectly cooked.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I LOVE this super easy field to table recipe. Now I can enjoy radishes!!
Jacqueline Debono
I love grilling or roasting veggies. I don’t think I’ve ever tried hakurei turnips but am going to look out for them!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
They are super delicious. This was my first time as well. Certainly will be buying them again.
Lisa Huff
Hmmm have never tried Hakurei turnips, can’t wait to try! Perfect summer dish!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Easy field to table recipe. Simple and delicious.
Cathleen
This sounds amazing!! I never buy turnips, but now you are making me want to. Bookmarked for later, thanks for the recipe!!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I do buy turnips….but this has turned me into a radish lover now.
Angela
This looks so delicious! Always looking for new veggies to try… definitely adding this to my list.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY…super easy and delicious.
Noelle
These were so good!! Perfect side for our chicken dinner 🙂
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much. It is always great when recipes are easy to make.
Ramona
What a beautiful side dish idea! I never tried grilling turnips before. I will definitely be making these on my next BBQ – hopefully this rainy period will pass soon. I am missing a BBQ now seeing this, even more. Thank you for sharing this great idea!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This is the perfect farm to table recipe that highlights veggies. Easy and delicious.
Kay
This looks like a great way to use turnips and radishes, I will give this a try with a nice steak dinner next week
Thanks for sharing:)
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Well I have turned into a radish lover…this is so easy and delicious.
Natalie
This looks so good. So summery and it’s so healthy. I never tried this flavor combo but sounds delicious. I will definitely give it a try.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
The turnips and radishes pair so well together. This is the easiest side dish ever.
CAMILLA HAWKINS
Love the sound of this dish as it’s something completely different and I do get bored of eating the same foods! Haven’t had a turnip in decades!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
This was the first time I tried Hakurei turnips…and also cooking radishes. It’s a winner in our house.