Skip to main content

Refrigerator Pickled Vegetables

Make your own crispy pickled vegetables at home with this simple recipe.
Kid friendly
Glass jars of peppers, garlic, asparagus and carrots in pickling brine.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Chill time: 1 to 3 days
Makes: 2 pints or 1 quart
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

1 cup vinegar (see Notes)
1 cup water
1 Tablespoon salt
1 to 2 Tablespoons sugar (optional)
2 to 4 Tablespoons seasonings (see Notes)
3 ½ to 4 cups fresh vegetables (cut to any size and shape)

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
  3. In a medium saucepan, heat the vinegar, water, salt and sugar, if desired, until the mixture simmers. Stir until the salt and sugar are dissolved and remove pan from heat.
  4. Put seasonings in the bottom of 2 clean pint-sized jars or 1 quart jar. Add the prepared vegetables, packing pieces closely together. Leave about ½ inch space at the top of the jar.
  5. Fill the jars with the warm vinegar mixture to cover the vegetables. Close the jars with clean lids and refrigerate for 1 to 3 days to allow flavors to develop.
  6. Store jars only in the refrigerator. Use within 3 months.

Notes

  • White, cider, white wine and rice vinegar are good choices. The flavors from balsamic or malt vinegar will be stronger but they can be used.
  • Vegetables such as green beans, broccoli, asparagus, carrots and cauliflower can be boiled for 1 or 2 minutes and then quickly cooled in ice water to soften and preserve their color.
  • Ideas for fresh seasonings: basil, cilantro, dill, garlic, ginger, green onion, hot or bell pepper, oregano, thyme
  • Ideas for dry seasonings: bay leaves, celery seed, cumin seed, dill seed, dried hot peppers, peppercorns, pickling spice, turmeric

Comments

This is a very easy quick refrigerator pickle recipe that results in crispy pickles!  We made these in a class and then I have made them at home many times.  My family loves the asparagus pickles I have made with this recipe. 

I agree with Mandy :) This Refrigerator Pickled Vegetables recipe is so much fun to make and so quick and easy! There are so many creative, colorful, and delicious combinations that can happen. It's hard to pick a favorite combo, but cauliflower with caraway seed is one (of many). Mini yellow, orange and red bell peppers sliced in rings or left whole look amazing in the jar, too. The peppers can be packed randomly or specifically layered in the jar to obtain an intentional color pattern. This is a treat that's also a piece of art.

I have been having so much fun with this recipe and all the flavors you can create.  It is so easy and the pickled vegetables taste so good on salads.  I have done apple cider vinegar with turmeric and red pepper flakes.  I have also done white vinegar with dill, celery seed and turmeric.   It has all been so tasty and fun to incorporate into a variety of dishes.  Definitely a recipe to repeat through out the summer. 

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Chicken and Black Bean Salsa Burritos
Bean and chicken mix wrapped in flour tortillas and tin foil shown on plates.

Chicken and Black Bean Salsa Burritos

Tortillas are rolled around a flavorful filling of beans, spices and chicken. Kids and adults will love them for a quick and tasty breakfast, lunch or dinner!
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
4 Burritos
Baked Tortilla Chips
A bowl of baked tortilla chips is shown with salsa for dipping.

Baked Tortilla Chips

Simple homemade tortilla chips. Great recipe to get the kids cooking!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
16 Chips
Whole-Wheat Yogurt Rolls
Platter of golden whole-wheat rolls.

Whole-Wheat Yogurt Rolls

Warm and toasty rolls in 30 minutes with only 4 ingredients.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
10 Rolls
Breakfast Burritos
Flour tortillas are filled with beans, eggs, tomato and cheese and baked for a crispy outside.

Breakfast Burritos

A quick and easy recipe for healthy a breakfast or any meal. Easy to customize however you like!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 Burritos
No-Knead Whole-Wheat Bread
slices of bread from a rustic loaf

No-Knead Whole-Wheat Bread

This recipe uses a long rise time instead of kneading to make a whole-grain bread with nice texture and flavor.
Prepare:
20 minutes + 13 hours rising
Cook:
50 minutes
Makes:
20 pieces
Turkey Salad
Bowl of turkey cubes, apples and an array of chopped vegetables over a bed of lettuce.

Turkey Salad

Diced turkey, crunchy vegetables and sweet raisins combined with a creamy mayonnaise dressing.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Was this page helpful to you?
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.