Citric Acid Free Quick Pickled Vegetables with Turmeric & Ginger
Pickled vegetables are one of those fridge staples that make every meal feel more intentional, and this version delivers serious flavor without relying on citric acid as a preservative or acidulant. Apple cider vinegar does all the heavy lifting here, creating a tangy, golden brine that's naturally free from the additive that shows up in so many store-bought pickles and jarred condiments. The turmeric gives everything a gorgeous warm hue while the freshly grated ginger adds a bright, slightly spicy depth that pairs beautifully with crisp cucumber, carrot, cauliflower, and radish. A touch of honey rounds out the brine so it never tastes harsh or one-dimensional. The whole process comes together in under an hour at room temperature before the jars head into the fridge, making this genuinely quick to pull off on a weeknight. Pile these onto grain bowls, tuck them into wraps, or just snack straight from the jar — they're that good.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the brine
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
- ½ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
For the vegetables
- 1 medium english cucumber, thinly sliced into rounds
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into thin coins or matchsticks
- 1 cup cauliflower florets, cut into small bite-sized pieces
- 4 radishes, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the vegetables: slice the cucumber into thin rounds, cut the carrots into thin coins or matchsticks, break the cauliflower into small bite-sized florets, thinly slice the radishes, and thinly slice the garlic. Pack the vegetables snugly into two clean pint-sized mason jars (or one quart jar), distributing them evenly.
- 2
Combine the apple cider vinegar, water, honey, sea salt, turmeric, grated ginger, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the honey and salt are fully dissolved, about 3–4 minutes.
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