Beef Free Apple-Cinnamon Quick-Pickled Vegetable Medley
Crisp, tangy, and just a little sweet, this quick-pickled medley is the kind of condiment that makes everything on the plate taste more alive. Shredded cabbage, julienned carrots, sliced radishes, and thin apple matchsticks come together in a warm brine built on apple cider vinegar, honey, Ceylon cinnamon, fresh ginger, and a whisper of turmeric — it's aromatic in the best possible way. The whole process is entirely plant-based, so there's zero concern about any meat-derived ingredients sneaking in, which can be a real issue with store-bought pickles and pre-made slaws. Salting the vegetables first draws out excess moisture, which means the brine penetrates faster and you get that satisfying pickle bite in under an hour. The apple adds a subtle fruity sweetness that plays beautifully against the vinegar's sharpness, and the cinnamon stick steeping in the hot brine gives the whole jar a warmly spiced depth you won't find in anything off the shelf. Pile it onto tacos, grain bowls, or sandwiches, or serve it straight from the jar as a bright, crunchy side — a scatter of fresh parsley right before serving makes it look as good as it tastes.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the vegetables
- 2 cups green cabbage, thinly shredded
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and julienned or coarsely grated
- 6 radishes, thinly sliced
- 1 small apple, cored and cut into thin matchsticks
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
For the brine
- ¾ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup water
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 ceylon cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the shredded cabbage, carrots, radishes, and apple in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with the fine sea salt and toss well, then set aside for 10 minutes while you prepare the brine — the salt will begin to draw out moisture and soften the vegetables.
- 2
Combine the apple cider vinegar, water, honey, Ceylon cinnamon stick, grated ginger, and ground turmeric in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the honey dissolves, then bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 minutes, until fragrant.
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