If you love bold, tangy flavors, you're going to be obsessed with these easy pickled food recipes. From crisp vegetables and crunchy onions to sweet-sour fruits, pickling is one of the simplest ways to add a burst of flavor to any meal.
Whether you're topping tacos, layering sandwiches, or just snacking straight from the jar (no judgment here😄!), these recipes will show you just how easy it is to make pickled foods at home.
Julia's Pickling Essentials:
Here's what I use for all my quick pickles - reusable jars, vinegar, and these spice jars that keep everything fresh.
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What to Pickle by Season
One of the best parts about pickling is that you can do it all year long-just switch up the produce with the seasons! Here are some ideas to get you started:
Spring:
- Fresh radishes, asparagus, carrots, and green beans make bright, crisp pickles.
- Try pickling ramps or spring onions for a gourmet twist.
Summer:
- This is prime pickling season! Think cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, and red onions.
- Fruits like watermelon rind, mango, or peaches also make fun, sweet-tangy pickles.
Fall:
- Go for heartier produce like beets, cauliflower, cabbage, and turnips.
- Pickled pumpkin or apples add a cozy, fall-inspired flavor to salads and sandwiches.
Winter:
- Cold months are perfect for pickled cabbage (hello, sauerkraut!), carrots, daikon, and garlic.
- Pickled citrus-like lemons or oranges-adds brightness when fresh produce is limited.
💡 You'll also find some helpful tips at the end of this post, along with a few ideas on how to use your homemade pickles in everyday meals.
Best Easy Pickled Food Recipes
Quick Pickled Asparagus
Infused with garlic, mustard seeds, and fresh dill, these tender pickled asparagus spears boast a crisp, refreshing taste that's perfect for spring snacking.
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Pickled Cabbage Recipe
This foolproof pickled cabbage recipe requires just a few simple ingredients and can be prepared in just a few minutes and enjoyed after refrigerating (about 12-24 hours). By pouring the warm brine over sliced cabbage in a jar, you'll have a condiment that boasts a perfect balance of sweetness, zest, and tanginess.
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Quick 3 Ingredient Pickled Daikon Radish
This quick and easy pickled daikon radish recipe requires only 3 main ingredients (not counting salt and water) and will be ready to eat in just one day. It's sweet, tangy, delicious, and requires almost no prep! Top your soups, woks, banh mi sandwiches and tacos with this scrumptious crunchy pickled radish.
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Quick Pickled Radishes and Onions
Quick-pickled radishes with red onions is a great way to turn an ordinary root vegetable into a delicious side dish for many dinner recipes. It's a great crunchy snack to add to cheese plates and a charcuterie board, or as a topping on avocado toast!
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Photo credit: cookrita.com
How To Make Easy Canned Sauerkraut
If you've never thought about making homemade sauerkraut, this recipe will show you how ridiculously easy it is to make your own in just a few days. With only 2 simple ingredients you'll never go back to grocery store-bought kraut again. Plain cabbage never tasted so good.
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Russian Grandma's Pickled Tomatoes • Happy Kitchen
Try these Russian pickled tomatoes: healthy, delicious and easy appetizer made in just 30 minutes that will keep for months on the shelf.
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Photo credit: happykitchen.rocks
Pickled Beets {for canning} - The Jam Jar Kitchen
These Pickled Beets are the perfect combination of sweet, tangy and spice! This recipe is safe for water bath canning.
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Photo credit: jamjarkitchen.com
Russian Dill Pickles • Happy Kitchen
This easy Russian dill pickles recipe is made with herbs, garlic, and peppercorns and gives you crunchy, refreshing and flavorful pickles!
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Photo credit: happykitchen.rocks
Easy pickled radishes
These easy pickled radishes are quick to make and will enhance any food you serve it with. Perfectly sweet, tangy and delicious!
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Photo credit: simply-delicious-food.com
Refrigerator Dill Pickles No Sugar (Sugar Free Refrigerated Pickles)
Try refrigerator dill pickles (no sugar) for a quick pickle recipe! Put your dill, onions, and cucumbers in a jar, add the brine, and refrigerate! #vegan #keto #lowcarb #glutenfree #pickles #whole30
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Photo credit: summeryule.com
Lebanese Pickled Turnips Recipe
Learn to make Lebanese pickles with this easy shawarma pickles recipe. These Middle Eastern pickles are pink pickled turnips and beets! #lowcalorie #vegan #glutenfree #plantbased #vegetarian #lowcarb
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Photo credit: summeryule.com
Refrigerator Dilly Beans (Pickled Green Beans)
This dilly beans recipe is a crunchy refreshing snack or side that's all packed in a jar. It's pickled green beans with dill and chili flakes soaked in a brine.
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Photo credit: joyfuldumplings.com
Refrigerator Pickled Onions
These refrigerator pickled onions are the easiest quick pickles (aka "quickles) you can make, and their hue adds a beautiful pop of color.
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Photo credit: littleblackskillet.com
Same Day Pickles With Only Three Ingredients
Love homemade pickles? Look no further than making my same day pickles, which feature only three ingredients. So easy and delicious!
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Photo credit: jcpeats.com
Spicy Pickled Baby Cucumbers
These delicious pickled baby cucumbers with jalapeños are the perfect topping for a burger or sandwich, and amazing in salads.
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Photo credit: whattohavefordinnertonight.com
Authentic Italian Giardiniera Recipe
Unleash the bold and zesty flavors of Italy with every bite of this giardiniera recipe! Hand-crafted with fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, and just the right amount of mild heat, it's the perfect addition to any dish or snack time.
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Photo credit: xoxobella.com
Spicy Homemade Dill Pickles
Make spicy dill pickles to brighten up your snacks, sandwiches and salads, or eat them just as they are.
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Photo credit: xoxobella.com
Easy Crisp Pickled Okra
How to pickle okra the easy way without pressure canning. One simple ingredient makes them crisp with just a water bath to process them.
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Photo credit: gritsandgouda.com
Pickled Green Tomatoes
Green tomato pickles are an easy way to use up all of your unripe tomatoes at the end of the season. They have so many uses too.
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Photo credit: binkysculinarycarnival.com
Sweet and Spicy Refrigerator Rhubarb Pickles
this easy pickled rhubarb recipe comes together in less 30min and uses simple ingredients to create a delicious sweet, and spicy final product. And the best part is this recipe requires zero canning!
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Photo credit: anexpressionoffood.com
Quick Pickled Green Tomatoes
These Quick Pickled Green Tomatoes only take 5 minutes to prep and require no canning! Enjoy!
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Photo credit: plantbasedonabudget.com
Pickled Fresno Chilis
If you're looking for a simple and flavorful way to add subtle heat to your food these zippy pickled Fresno chilis are a great option.
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Photo credit: cravingcalifornia.com
How To Pickle Banana Peppers
My family loves banana peppers on our pizza, salads, and even sandwiches. This is how you properly pickle banana peppers, so you can enjoy
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Photo credit: savingdollarsandsense.com
Spicy Sweet Rhubarb Pickles
No canning needed for this pickled rhubarb recipe. These quick fridge pickles pack a punch and are spicy, tart and sweet. Perfect for a charcuterie board, on salads or snacking.
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Photo credit: baconismagic.ca
Easy Chef Recipe: Pickled Chanterelle Mushrooms
This Chef recipe uses season chanterelles to make the best pickled mushrooms in minutes. You can quick pickle or pressure can for longer use.
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Photo credit: baconismagic.ca
Quick Pickled Garlic
Pickled Garlic is a quick and easy recipe that simply combines whole cloves with a homemade brining solution in the refrigerator overnight!
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Photo credit: evolvingtable.com
Overnight Refrigerator Dill Pickles
Refrigerator Dill Pickles are perfectly crisp, sweet, tangy, and ready overnight with no special canning equipment or sterilizing required!
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Photo credit: evolvingtable.com
Quick Pickled Jalapeños
Quick pickled jalapeño peppers are the perfect condiment to add a tangy kick to any dish. Their sharp, spicy flavor enhances everything from tacos to sandwiches.
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Photo credit: peaktoplate.com
Pickled Jalapenos
This fast and easy recipe for Pickled Jalapenos will become a favorite! Made in 10 minutes, eat them as early as 20 minutes. Perfect on tacos, sandwiches, salads, burgers and more.
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Photo credit: boulderlocavore.com
Pickled Watermelon Rind
These easy refrigerator pickles use the part of a watermelon you usually toss out! Tangy, salty, spiced slightly sweet pickled watermelon rind is great with so many dishes! Use it as a topping or anywhere you'd use relish.
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Photo credit: boulderlocavore.com
Refrigerator Dill Pickles
Refrigerator Dill Pickles are simple to make and taste just like store bought pickles. No hot water baths or fancy canning tools required!
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Photo credit: dishnthekitchen.com
Quick Pickled Snap Peas Recipe
These fresh pickled snap peas are the best garden peas recipe loaded with herbs, spices, and a sweet and tangy brine.
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Photo credit: theherbeevore.com
Spicy Pickled Green Beans Recipe
Spicy pickled green beans is the best recipe for your garden green bean bounty. Bright and crunchy, these beans are great as a snack or delicious in cocktails!
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Photo credit: theherbeevore.com
Refrigerator Zucchini Pickles
These Refrigerator Zucchini Pickles are a fantastic way to use up that ever abundant late-summer zucchini. Fun and easy to make and so tasty!
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Photo credit: fromvalerieskitchen.com
Easy Quick Pickled Shallots
This quick pickled shallots recipe is the perfect versatile condiment. Bursting with flavor, a little bit goes a long way.
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Photo credit: peaktoplate.com
Asian Quick Pickled Cucumbers
5-minute easy and delicious Asian Quick Pickled Cucumber that make a great cooling sweet and sour, no-cook side dish in summer!
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Photo credit: greedygirlgourmet.com
Fermented Pickles
Discover the magic of homemade fermented pickles, and our favorite kosher dill pickles recipe. Crunchy, tangy and full of probiotics!
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Photo credit: immigrantstable.com
How to Use Pickled Foods:
- Add them to salads or grain bowls for a punch of acidity.
- Use as burger or taco toppings for extra crunch.
- Stir chopped pickles into egg salad, potato salad, or tuna salad for tangy flavor.
- Serve alongside charcuterie boards or roasted meats for balance.
Tips for Pickling at Home
- Start with fresh produce - The fresher your veggies or fruits, the crisper your pickles will be. Avoid overripe or soft ones.
- Use the right vinegar - White vinegar gives a sharp flavor, apple cider vinegar adds sweetness, and rice vinegar offers a mild, delicate taste.
- Balance is key - The basic brine ratio is 1 part vinegar, 1 part water, and a few tablespoons of sugar and salt. Adjust to your taste.
- Experiment with spices - Try adding garlic, dill, mustard seeds, peppercorns, or chili flakes for unique flavor combinations.
- Cool before sealing - Pour hot brine over your ingredients, but let the jars cool before refrigerating to avoid cloudiness.
- Label your jars - Write the date and ingredients so you know how long they've been stored. I use this little cute label maker for all kitchen stuff!
- Refrigerator pickles = instant reward - Quick pickles can be enjoyed in as little as 30 minutes, but the flavor deepens after a day or two.
- Reuse your brine - Once you've eaten all your pickles, use the leftover brine in salad dressings, marinades, or to pickle more veggies!
- Safety first - For long-term storage, make sure your jars and lids are sterilized properly.
Shop My Pickling Favorites
A few tools that make homemade pickling easier (and a little more fun!):
- 🫙 Wide-Mouth Mason Jars - ideal for quick refrigerator pickles
- 🧂 Pickling Spice Mix - saves time and adds balanced flavor
- 🥄 Stainless Steel Funnel Set - makes jar filling mess-free
- 🧴 Apple Cider Vinegar - The best vinegar for pickling is generally distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar because they are affordable, have at least 5% acidity for safety, and have a classic flavor that won't overpower the food!
- 🍲 Small saucepans or stainless pots
- 🏷️ Handwritten Label stickers or markers for jars
- 🌡️ Kitchen thermometers
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