Description
Crunchy Tangy Refrigerator Pickled Vegetables offer a quick and easy way to preserve your fresh vegetables with a bright and flavorful brine. This no-canning recipe uses a simple vinegar-based brine infused with garlic, spices, and optional herbs, delivering a crisp, tangy snack or condiment perfect for sandwiches, salads, and grain bowls.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 4 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, cauliflower, red onions, radishes, bell peppers, or green beans)
Brine
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 sprigs fresh dill (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Wash all vegetables thoroughly and cut into sticks, slices, or florets depending on the vegetable type and personal preference. Pack the prepared vegetables tightly into clean mason jars, leaving about half an inch of headspace at the top of each jar.
- Make the Brine: In a small saucepan, combine white vinegar, water, kosher salt, sugar, smashed garlic cloves, black peppercorns, mustard seeds, and optional red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, ensuring the salt and sugar dissolve completely.
- Cool the Brine: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the brine cool for 5 minutes so it is warm but not scalding, which helps preserve the texture of the vegetables when poured over them.
- Pour the Brine: Carefully pour the warm brine over the packed vegetables in the jars until the vegetables are fully submerged. If using, tuck in fresh dill sprigs to add herbal aroma and flavor.
- Seal and Chill: Seal the jars tightly with their lids and allow them to cool to room temperature before placing them in the refrigerator. Chill the pickled vegetables for at least 24 hours before consuming to allow the flavors to develop, with optimal taste achieved after 2–3 days.
Notes
- Refrigerator pickled vegetables stay fresh and crisp for up to 3 weeks when stored properly in the fridge.
- Customize the spice blend with your favorite additions such as coriander seeds, bay leaves, or thyme for varied flavor profiles.
- These pickles are best served cold and maintain a crunchy texture, making them perfect as snacks or garnishes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Side Dish, Condiment
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
