Refrigerator Pickled Vegetables

Name: Refrigerator Pickled Vegetables
Prep time: 20 minutes
Yield: 2 pints or 1 quart

Make your own crispy pickled vegetables at home with this simple recipe.

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

Wash hands with soap and water.
Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
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.
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.
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.
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

Submitted by Jennifer Pettit on Tue, 09/10/2024 - 15:51

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.

Submitted by mandy.hatfield@... on Mon, 07/19/2021 - 11:51

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.