PrintQuick Refrigerator Pickled Carrots (Tangy and Crunchy)
Make these quick refrigerator pickled carrots for a tangy, crunchy snack or condiment. This easy, no-canning recipe delivers bright flavor perfect for tacos, sandwiches, or appetizer boards.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: About 1 quart 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Refrigerator Pickling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound carrots, peeled and sliced into spears or rounds
- 1 cup white vinegar (5% acidity)
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- Optional Flavorings (Choose one set):
- For Dill Flavor: 2 cloves garlic, smashed, and 1 teaspoon dried dill seed
- For Spicy Flavor: 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced
- For Asian Flavor: 1 teaspoon whole coriander seeds and 1 star anise
Instructions
- Prepare the carrots: Peel the carrots. Cut them into uniform spears, sticks, or thin rounds so they pickle evenly. Place the prepared carrots into a clean, pint-sized or quart-sized glass jar.
- Prepare the brine: In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Add your chosen optional flavorings (garlic, dill seed, pepper flakes, etc.).
- Heat the brine: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar and salt completely dissolve. Remove the saucepan from the heat immediately.
- Pour the brine: Carefully pour the hot brine over the carrots in the jar, making sure the carrots are fully submerged. Leave about a half-inch of headspace at the top of the jar.
- Cool and seal: Let the jar cool on the counter for about 30 minutes. Once cooled, seal the jar tightly with a lid.
- Refrigerate: Place the jar in the refrigerator. The carrots will be ready to eat in about 1 hour, but they develop the best flavor after 24 hours. Store these crunchy pickled carrots in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.
Notes
- For the crispiest pickled carrots, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of pickling lime or a small grape leaf to the jar with the carrots before adding the brine.
- If you prefer a sweeter brine, increase the sugar to 3 tablespoons.
- These are excellent served alongside pulled pork sandwiches or on a charcuterie board.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg