Caffeine 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 around apple cider vinegar, honey, Ceylon cinnamon, fresh ginger, and a touch of turmeric — no coffee, tea, or anything stimulating in sight. The brine is simmered just long enough to bloom those warm spices before it gets poured over the vegetables, and the result is something that smells absolutely incredible even before it hits the fridge. A short rest in the refrigerator is all it takes for the vegetables to soak up that fragrant, lightly spiced liquid and turn into something genuinely craveable. It works beautifully as a bright, crunchy topping for grain bowls, tacos, sandwiches, or grilled proteins, and a scatter of fresh parsley right before serving adds a clean, herby finish. Best of all, the whole process is straightforward enough that you can have a jar chilling while you prep the rest of dinner.
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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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