A Pink Radicchio Salad That’s a Real Spring Stunner

One thing that most of us have learned from years of posting to Instagram? A visually stunning dish that looks as beautiful as it tastes can add major wow factor to a meal. And though a leafy green salad piled high with aesthetic toppings and colorful vitamin-rich veggies is always a standout, today’s salad breaks the norm. The springtime winner of “most photogenic” side officially goes to: this pink radicchio salad with blood oranges and hazelnuts.

Camilla Marcus made this salad at the garden-to-table lunch she hosted in LA last month (be sure to hop on over for the other recipes she prepared that day). And if you’re new to the world of radicchio, you’re in for a treat. It’s one of my favorite colorful veggies to grill, roast, or add to a salad raw, bursting with a delicious bitterness that’s just made to combine with olive oil. Here’s what you need to know.

What is the best way to eat radicchio?

Radicchio is one of those ingredients that can be enjoyed in plenty of dishes without spending hours prepping in the kitchen. In this recipe, radicchio is served raw and accompanied by a vinaigrette that adds the perfect amount of pop to this veg. However, the possibilities extend far beyond salads with radicchio. You can grill, sauté, or roast any variation of radicchio to experiment with texture and flavor.

How to Take the Bitterness Out of Radicchio

When radicchio is cut or chewed, certain chemical compounds are released, making this veggie a tad bitter. To cut down on this acidity, radicchio is sometimes soaked in water after the leaves are cut. In this recipe, the vinaigrette for the salad is used to combat the pesky bitterness.

How to Prepare Radicchio

As the texture and flavor of radicchio differ from that of lettuce, the preparation process is a bit different. Choosing radicchio heads with firm leaves is key, especially when using the leaves in a raw salad like this one. Start by removing any leaves that look wilted and cut the radicchio in half before removing the v-shaped stem. From there, it’s up to you how to further dissect your veggie before cooking. Once you’ve chosen your method of cooking, pairing radicchio with salty or tangy flavors helps tone down the bitterness.

More Spring Salad Recipes You’ll Love

Need more salad inspo this spring? These recipes have you covered.

The Best Simple Green Salad

Charlie Bird Farro Salad

Pea Salad with Mint and Microgreens

Radish & Fennel Citrus Salad

Scroll on for the recipe, and if you make this pink radicchio salad, be sure to leave a rating and comment below!

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