Grilled BBQ Daikon

Difficulty:
2/5
Serves:
4 PEOPLE
Grilled BBQ Daikon

You won’t miss the meat with this Grilled BBQ Daikon recipe from Maddie & Kiki’s BBQ Barn! Daikon radish soaks up the flavor of whatever it’s cooked in, making it a great option for a vegetarian main. The daikon is first braised in a flavorful broth, then brushed with BBQ sauce and grilled to create the classic charred and caramelized exterior of meat on the barbie.

Ingredients:

Daikon:

  • 1 large daikon radish, peeled (roughly 2 pounds)
  • 2 quarts (2 L) vegetable stock
  • 3 cups (710 ml) lager beer
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) molasses
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) soy sauce
  • ¼ red onion, sliced thin
  • ¼ bunch cilantro, chopped

BBQ Sauce:

  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) Mexican chili powder
  • 1 cup (240 ml) canned tomatoes with juice
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) tomato paste
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) malt vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) hot mustard

Method:

  • Cut the peeled daikon into 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick slices, then cut those slices into quarters.
  • Return the daikon to the saucepan and add the vegetable stock, beer, molasses, and soy sauce. Bring the ingredients to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes.
  • Remove the daikon from the liquid and set aside.

Make the BBQ Sauce:

  • Heat vegetable oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and sweat for 3-4 minutes, until translucent.
  • Add the chili powder and heat, stirring, until aromatic.
  • Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, vinegar, sugar, and mustard. Bring to a simmer, lower heat and cook for 15-20 minutes until the flavors marry.
  • Blend until smooth. Season with salt and plenty of pepper.

To finish:

  • Preheat grill to medium-high heat or set up a grill pan.
  • Skewer the radish pieces on metal or wooden skewers.
  • Brush the BBQ Sauce over the skewers. Grill the skewers while basting every couple of minutes with the sauce, roughly 3-5 minutes on each side or until caramelized and lightly charred.
  • Repeat basting as the skewers are cooking. Garnish the skewers with thinly sliced red onion and chopped cilantro and serve.