Paraben Free Apple-Cinnamon Quick-Pickled Vegetable Medley
Crisp cabbage, tender carrots, peppery radishes, and sweet apple come together in a brine that smells like autumn in the best possible way. The warm apple cider vinegar base is spiced with a Ceylon cinnamon stick, fresh ginger, and a touch of turmeric, making every jar feel a little special without requiring any complicated technique. Navigating preserves and condiments can be tricky when you're avoiding synthetic additives and hidden chemical compounds — this one is built entirely from whole, recognizable ingredients with nothing extra hiding in the list. The salt-and-squeeze method pulls excess moisture from the vegetables first, so the brine penetrates quickly and you get genuinely tangy, well-seasoned results in under an hour. A spoonful of honey rounds out the acidity just enough to keep things balanced rather than sharp. Pile it onto grain bowls, tuck it into wraps, or serve it alongside roasted proteins as a bright, crunchy counterpoint. A scatter of fresh parsley right before serving adds a clean, herby finish that makes the whole jar 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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