Quick Refrigerator Pickled Carrots: Tangy and Crunchy Snack
Make these easy refrigerator pickled carrots with a simple brine. They stay crunchy and are ready fast, perfect as a snack or a zesty condiment for tacos or charcuterie boards.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: About 1 pint 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Refrigerator Pickling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups carrots, cut into spears or coins
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed (optional)
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the carrots: Wash and trim the carrots. Cut them into spears, sticks, or thin coins, depending on how you plan to serve them.
- Make the brine: In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar and salt dissolve completely. Do not boil.
- Pack the jar: Place the prepared carrots and any optional flavorings (garlic, peppercorns) into a clean, pint-sized glass jar. Pack them tightly but leave about half an inch of headspace at the top.
- Pour the brine: Carefully pour the hot brine over the carrots, ensuring they are fully submerged. Tap the jar gently to release any trapped air bubbles.
- Cool and refrigerate: Let the jar cool on the counter for about 30 minutes. Once cool, seal the jar tightly and place it in the refrigerator.
- Wait for flavor: The carrots will be ready to eat in about 2 to 4 hours, but they develop the best tangy flavor after 24 hours in the refrigerator.
Notes
- For a spicy kick, add a few thin slices of jalapeño to the jar before pouring the brine.
- These refrigerator pickled carrots are best eaten within three weeks for maximum crunch.
- If you prefer a sweeter pickle, increase the sugar in the brine to 3 tablespoons.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 35
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg