Artificial Food Coloring Free Paleo Quick-Pickled Vegetables

Total time1 hr 5 min

Prep time15 min

Cook time5 min

Artificial Food Coloring Free Paleo Quick-Pickled Vegetables

Quick-pickled vegetables from the store often hide synthetic dyes in the brine or on the label — bright neon colors that have no business being in a jar of cucumbers and carrots. This version keeps everything completely clean, relying on apple cider vinegar, honey, sea salt, and fresh aromatics to do all the heavy lifting. The result is a tangy, crisp medley of cucumber rounds, carrot coins, and radish slices that gets its gorgeous color entirely from the vegetables themselves. Fresh dill and black peppercorns add a fragrant, slightly herby depth, while a pinch of red pepper flakes can bring a gentle kick if you're feeling it. The brine comes together in just a few minutes on the stovetop, and after a short rest in the fridge, you've got a bright, crunchy condiment that works alongside grilled meats, tucked into lettuce wraps, or eaten straight from the jar. It's the kind of simple, honest recipe that makes you wonder why you ever reached for the store-bought version in the first place.

About Fig

Fig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.

Learn more →

Ingredients

6 servings

For the brine

1 cup apple cider vinegar
Bragg Organic Raw-Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar - 32 fl oz Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar Heinz All Natural Apple Cider Vinegar Spectrum Naturals Organic Apple Cider Vinegar Filtered Dynamic Health Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with Mother
See all
1 cup water
1 tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp honey
1 tsp black peppercorns
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

For the vegetables

2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 medium english cucumber, cut into ¼-inch rounds
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into ¼-inch coins
6 radishes, thinly sliced
4 sprigs fresh dill

Instructions

1
Combine the apple cider vinegar, water, fine sea salt, honey, black peppercorns, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the salt and honey dissolve completely, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and let the brine cool for 5 minutes.
2
Layer the garlic slices, cucumber rounds, carrot coins, radish slices, and fresh dill sprigs into a wide-mouth quart jar or medium bowl, packing them in snugly.

Want the full recipe?

Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!