Nitrate & Nitrite Free Quick Pickled Vegetables with Turmeric & Ginger
Crunchy, vibrant, and packed with bold flavor, these quick pickled vegetables are the kind of jar you'll want to keep stocked in your fridge at all times. The brine is built from apple cider vinegar, honey, sea salt, and a warming duo of turmeric and fresh ginger — every ingredient is clean and straightforward, with zero cured or processed components to worry about. That matters more than it sounds, because conventional pickled products and many store-bought condiments can sneak in preservatives that don't belong on a nitrate- and nitrite-free plate. Here, you control exactly what goes into the jar. Cucumber rounds, carrot coins, cauliflower florets, radishes, and sliced garlic all get a quick soak in that golden, spiced brine, picking up serious flavor in under an hour without any canning equipment or special skills. The result is tangy, slightly sweet, and just a little spicy if you add the red pepper flakes — perfect alongside grain bowls, sandwiches, or anything that needs a bright, acidic lift. Once you see how easy it is to make your own, reaching for a store-bought jar will feel completely unnecessary.
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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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