BHA & BHT Free Salvadoran Curtido

This tangy, lightly pickled slaw is a staple of Salvadoran cooking, and once you taste it alongside your favorite dishes, you'll wonder how you ever went without it. Shredded cabbage, grated carrots, and sliced white onion come together in a bright brine of white vinegar, dried oregano, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for just the right amount of heat. The whole thing is made from scratch with nothing but whole vegetables and pantry staples, so there's zero guesswork about what's actually in it — no preservatives, no additives, no label-reading required. Avoiding BHA and BHT can be tricky with store-bought pickled or fermented products, since those synthetic antioxidants often sneak into packaged condiments and jarred slaws. Making curtido at home completely sidesteps that problem, and honestly the result is fresher and more vibrant than anything from a jar anyway. A quick salt-and-squeeze technique draws out excess moisture from the cabbage before it hits the brine, giving you a crisp, clean texture that holds up beautifully for days in the fridge. It's the kind of simple, satisfying recipe that earns a permanent spot in your weekly rotation.

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 →