You'll be amazed how easy it is to pickle carrots (or other veggies for that matter!), and how good they are. The play of sweet carrot and sour juice is a great combination, plus the added benefit of vitamin A, K, B6, and potassium.
Pickling is a way to preserve food by letting it sit in an acidic liquid, such as vinegar, which changes the texture and makes the food taste more acidic. In this recipe I'm using a quick pickling method by combining vinegar, salt, and honey and heating the mixture.
While it's popular to pickle veggies and fruits in the summer and fall when there is a large harvest or they are in season, you can pickle any time of year.
With a few simple ingredients and a few steps, you'll have jars of pickled carrots in your refrigerator in no time.
Pickled Carrots
Ingredients
- 1 pound carrots about 8 carrots, peeled and cut into sticks or coins
- 1 ¼ cups water
- 1 cup cider vinegar
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 garlic cloves peeled and lightly crushed
- 1 ½ tablespoons dill seeds
- 1 ½ tablespoons salt
Instructions
- Bring a medium-sized pot of water to a boil.
- When the water boils, drop the carrots in and simmer for two minutes. Pour them into a colander to drain thoroughly.
- In the same pot, heat the remaining ingredients. Once it begins to boil, reduce the heat and simmer for two minutes.
- Remove the pot from heat and add the carrots. Cool until room temperature, about 10 minutes, and then put into jars and chill.
- Store in the refrigerator for a few weeks.
Becca says
Has anyone substituted the garlic (I know, I know). Would it still have the same effect if omitted?
Erica says
No need to use garlic, they will still taste good. You can use more herbs or different herbs as well, such as dill.
Martha says
We enjoyed every single piece of carrot and made a second batch the next week. They will also be on the Christmas antipasto tray. Easy, low everything, delicious. Thanks.
Erica says
Great idea! Love antipasto!
suzanne says
Does the 1 1/2 T. salt go in the water in the first step? Or does salt go in step #3?
Erica says
The 11/2 T of salt is for Step #3. Sorry for the confusion. Just removed the salt from the 1st step. Not really necessary.
Tresa Lovejoy says
Could you water bath can these?
Erica says
Yes, I don't see why not. I just haven't tried it.