Xanthan Gum Free Ginger-Lime Quick-Pickled Vegetable Medley
Bright, tangy, and loaded with crunch, this quick-pickled medley brings together daikon radish, carrot, cucumber, and red cabbage in a brine that's equal parts zippy and aromatic. Fresh ginger and lime zest give the pickling liquid a lively kick, while a touch of honey rounds out the acidity and ground turmeric adds a gorgeous golden hue to the whole jar. Because the brine is built entirely from pantry staples and fresh produce, there's no need for any thickeners or stabilizers — it works beautifully on its own, which is exactly what makes it a natural fit for anyone avoiding gum-based additives. Store-bought pickles and condiments are notorious for sneaking in unexpected ingredients, so making your own from scratch puts you fully in control. The process is straightforward: salt the vegetables, simmer the brine, pour, cool, and refrigerate — no special equipment required. Pile it onto tacos, grain bowls, or grilled proteins, or just eat it straight from the jar as a refreshing, palate-cleansing snack. It keeps in the fridge for up to five days, so a single batch can brighten up meals all week long.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the vegetables
- 1 cup daikon radish, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks
- 1 cup carrot, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks
- 1 cup english cucumber, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
- 1 cup red cabbage, very thinly sliced
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
For the brine
- ¾ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup water
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
- 1 tsp lime zest (from about 1 lime)
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the daikon, carrot, cucumber, and red cabbage in a large heatproof bowl. Sprinkle with the fine sea salt, toss well, and let stand for 10 minutes until the vegetables begin to release a little liquid.
- 2
While the vegetables rest, combine the apple cider vinegar, water, honey, grated ginger, lime zest, lime juice, and turmeric in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the honey is fully dissolved, about 3–4 minutes. Remove from the heat.
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