Radishes with Butter and Salt is a classic French snack that’s best enjoyed with a fresh baguette. With a quick 5-minute prep time, you can quickly serve this easy appetizer for parties, picnics, or to celebrate spring!

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sliced radishes on a wood board with butter next to a small bowl of salt.

French radish appetizer

Radishes with Butter and Salt is the most elegant way of enjoying these crisp and peppery vegetables. It’s a classic French snack that highlights simplistic flavors and ingredients. All you need are garden-fresh radishes (any variety will do!), European butter, and flaky sea salt.

While spreading butter and sprinkling salt on fresh radishes may seem odd to us Americans, this snack is traditional in France during spring. The combination of the three ingredients is very simplistic, yet deliciously refreshing and perfectly balanced. It’s a celebration of flavors!

ingredients for radishes with butter and salt on individual plates.

Why do people eat radishes with butter?

It’s all about balance and simplicity here. The radish’s strong peppery flavor is combated when paired with rich butter and flaky sea salt. Every bite is perfectly refreshing and never lacking in flavor, regardless of the short list of ingredients.

Ingredient notes

Radishes – These crisp and juicy root vegetables can be planted and grown year-round but are at their peak during spring. Radishes are a popular salad topping and can even be pickled for a taco topping. They have a peppery flavor that’s toned down when served with rich butter and sea salt.

Salted European butter – European butter has 2% more butterfat than regular American butter. While this may not seem like a lot, the difference in taste is impeccable. European butter is deliciously rich, tangy (thanks to the longer fermentation time), yellow in color, and very soft. Be sure to use room temperature butter for easy spreading.

Flaky sea salt – Flaky salt, such as Maldon salt, is the finishing touch on this French appetizer. It brings all of the rich and fresh flavors together.

slicing red radishes on a wood board with a knife.

How to make radishes with butter and salt

Prep the radishes: Rinse the radishes and leaves under cold running water. Pat them dry with a paper towel, then cut each one in half or quarters. Keep the greens attached for an elegant presentation.
Plate the radishes and butter: Add the softened butter and cut radishes to a serving platter or wooden board. Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top of the butter.
Serve and enjoy: Include a knife and a sliced baguette on the side. Spread the butter on the bread, top with a few radishes and salt, and enjoy!

Variations

Herb butter – Stir fresh or dried herbs into the butter for an herbaceous flavor profile. Tarragon, dill, parsley, garlic, and scallions are all excellent additions.
Lemon herb butter – Give the herb butter a refreshing twist by stirring in some lemon zest!
Whipped butter – For a pillowy soft spread, incorporate air into the butter by whipping it with an electric mixer before serving.
Slice the radishes – If the peppery flavor of the radishes is too strong for you, slice them thinly using a sharp knife or mandolin.

How to serve radishes and butter

Are your radishes on a platter with salt and butter? Great! Serve them in any of these classic ways:

Use a knife to spread the salted butter directly on the radishes.
Spread some butter on a sliced baguette, crostini, or cracker and top with a radish or two.
Dip the radishes directly in the butter and sprinkle with salt.

Radishes and butter would also be a delicious addition to a charcuterie board, served as an appetizer before the French-inspired meal is ready (like this niçoise salad or salmon en papillote), or as a quick party snack.

Tip to softening your butter quick

If you are short on time and don’t have softened butter, place your butter on a plate. Then add boiling water to a mason jar, let it sit for 15 seconds, dump the water out and place the hot jar on top of the butter. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes and you will have room temperature butter in no time.

close up on butter being spread on sliced radishes.

Looking for more easy appetizers?

Did you try Radishes with Butter and Salt? Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below and giving this recipe a rating! Don’t forget to take a picture tag me on Instagram or use #lenaskitchenblog to be featured in my stories! I love seeing what you come up with!