Charred Radicchio with Balsamic Honey Glaze
This easy charred radicchio recipe features smoky, caramelized leaves finished with a tangy-sweet balsamic honey glaze. It’s a restaurant-worthy side dish that’s quick to prepare and perfect for family gatherings or weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 17-20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large head radicchio (about 12 oz), outer leaves removed, cut into quarters
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Chopped fresh parsley or thyme (optional, for garnish)
- Shaved Parmesan (optional, for garnish)
- Crushed walnuts or pine nuts (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Remove any wilted or tough outer leaves from the radicchio. Slice the head into quarters, keeping the core intact. Rinse and pat dry.
- In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Set aside.
- Preheat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes until hot.
- Drizzle olive oil over the radicchio quarters and coat all sides lightly.
- Arrange radicchio quarters cut-side down in the hot pan. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until deep brown edges form. Flip and cook the other side for another 3 minutes.
- Spoon or brush the balsamic honey glaze over each piece. Let it bubble for 1-2 minutes, turning radicchio gently to coat all sides. Watch closely so the glaze doesn’t burn.
- Radicchio should be tender but still have a little crunch, with lightly charred outside and sticky glaze patches.
- Transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, thyme, shaved Parmesan, or nuts if desired.
- Serve warm, straight from the pan.
Notes
For vegan, swap honey for maple syrup or agave. Use a heavy pan and high heat for best char. Don’t overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming. Add nuts, citrus, or cheese for extra flavor. Leftovers are great in sandwiches or salads.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 3 oz (90g) per
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 200
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 1
Keywords: charred radicchio, balsamic glaze, honey glaze, easy vegetable side, Italian side dish, gluten-free, vegetarian, quick recipe, healthy, radicchio recipe