Sauteed Radicchio

By
Molly Watson
Molly Watson
An award-winning food writer and cookbook author, Molly Watson has created more than 1,000 recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients.
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Updated on 12/8/22
Sautéd browned radicchio on a platter

The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 15 mins
Servings: 4 servings

Radicchio is appealing for its gorgeous color, but this beautiful vegetable also comes with a famously bitter edge; people tend to either love or hate that distinctive flavor. For those who find it compelling but a bit much, know that sautéeing radicchio tempers the bitterness beautifully (as does grilling).

Sautéed radicchio may be simple, but it's full of flavor, has a pleasing toothsome texture, even when fully cooked, and makes an excellent side dish for rich dishes, like beef roasts or stews. It also pairs nicely with a well seasoned roast chicken.

Ingredients

  • 1 head radicchio

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

  • Sea salt flakes, to taste, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for sautéed radicchio recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

  2. Trim off and discard any brown part of the stem end of the radicchio. If the outside leaves look a bit beat up, feel free to remove and discard those as well.

    Stem end of radicchio head cut off with a paring knife on a wooden cutting board

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

  3. Cut the radicchio head into quarters.

    Radicchio cut into quarters

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

  4. Cut out and discard the core from each quarter.

    Core removed from each quarter

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

  5. Cut the quarters into bite-size pieces. To keep things as pretty as possible, consider leaving the pieces fairly large.

    Radicchio evenly cut into bite-size pieces

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

  6. Heat a large frying pan or saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil and swirl to coat the bottom.

    Oil in a cast-iron frying pan

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

  7. Add the radicchio, sprinkle with salt, and stir to coat the leaves with the oil.

    Radicchio filling the frying pan

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

  8. Cook, stirring frequently until the radicchio is tender to the bite and starting to brown just a bit, about 8 minutes.

    Wilted and browning radicchio in the frying pan

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

  9. Transfer the radicchio to a serving platter or individual plates. Sprinkle with more salt or a finishing salt, such as Maldon, if you like. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature. Enjoy.

    Sautéed browned radicchio on a platter next to a small bowl with coarse salt

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

Recipe Variations

  • Before adding the radicchio, toss a thinly sliced or roughly chopped clove of garlic in the pan. Stir and add the radicchio immediately or, for a more distinctive flavor, let the garlic turn golden before adding the radicchio.
  • Counter the bitterness by slowly caramelizing a sliced shallot or two over medium-low heat before sautéeing the radicchio.
  • Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs before serving—a chiffonade of basil or some chopped rosemary or simply a few parsley leaves will provide a burst of light, vibrant flavor against the strong taste of the radicchio.
  • Brown about 1 ounce of finely chopped pancetta or bacon in the oil before adding radicchio to the pan for a meaty undertone to the dish (and an easy way to get people to try a vegetable).
  • Tame the bitterness of radicchio even more by mixing it with some kale, essentially diluting the flavor and adding the more familiar green color of leafy "greens."
  • Drizzle the radicchio with some basil pesto or other herb sauce—the green makes it pretty and tasty.
  • Create a bit of texture and top the radicchio with a sprinkle of toasted walnuts for a bitter contrast, or pine nuts for a sweeter element.
  • The strong flavor of radicchio can stand up to pungent cheeses; if you plan to serve the vegetable warm or at room temperature, try topping it with a few crumbles of blue cheese for a whole different flavor experience.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
62 Calories
7g Fat
0g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 62
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 135mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 0g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 1mg 4%
Calcium 2mg 0%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 30mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)