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Frisée and Radish Salad with Hazelnut Dressing

This elegant frisée and radish salad offers a sophisticated blend of textures and bold flavours. The bitter, lacy leaves of the frisée provide a crisp foundation for the peppery radishes and salty, shards of golden bacon. It is a dairy-free dish that feels indulgent thanks to the clever use of a warm hazelnut dressing, which uses both the toasted nuts and a hint of savoury bacon fat to create a rich, silky finish.

Perfect for a light lunch or a refined starter for a dinner party, this seasonal salad is remarkably simple to assemble. The crunch of the roasted hazelnuts adds a wonderful earthy note that complements the brightness of the lemon and sherry vinegar. Serve this fresh, vibrant dish immediately while the bacon is still crisp for the best possible results.

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Ingredients for Frisée and Radish Salad with Hazelnut Dressing

  • 60ml vegetable oil, divided

  • 120ml hazelnuts (60g), coarsely chopped

  • 4 bacon slices

  • 1 tablespoon Sherry vinegar or red-wine vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  • 2 small heads frisée (about 275g total)

  • 4 medium radishes, thinly sliced

How to make Frisée and Radish Salad with Hazelnut Dressing

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a small skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Add hazelnuts and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Cool slightly in skillet.

Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain and reserve 1 tablespoon bacon fat. Break bacon into 1-inch pieces.

Purée hazelnuts (with any remaining cooking oil), vinegar, lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoons salt, remaining vegetable oil, and reserved bacon fat in a blender just until nuts are finely chopped (dressing will be thick and slightly chunky).

Toss frisée, radishes, and bacon with dressing.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 16 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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