DIY Holiday Gift: Pickled Veggies

Pickled veggies are the perfect DIY holiday gift. They can be made the day-of gifting or a couple days before and become tastier over the course of a few days (just make sure you don’t make them too early, as they will last about 1.5 weeks in the fridge). Making homemade gifts has always been one of my love languages, and I always find it to be the best part of the holiday season. I love pickling all sorts of veggies – red onions, carrots, green beans, beets – and I encourage you to try a few different ones! Watch the video and get the recipe below, and happy gifting!

Prep time: 10-20 minutes

Servings: 1 large jar each

*Herbs and spices are customizable, feel free to add your own combination!

Pickled Red Onions

• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, sliced
• 1/2 tsp peppercorns
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup rice vinegar
• 1/2 cup white vinegar

Pickled Carrots

• 2 medium carrots, sliced lengthwise into sticks
• 2 cloves of garlic, sliced
• 1/2 tsp peppercorns
• Small piece of ginger, peeled and sliced
• Fresh dill (a few sprigs)
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup rice vinegar
• 1/2 cup white vinegar

Pickled Green Beans

• Large handful of green beans, stems cut
• 2 cloves of garlic, sliced
• 1/4-1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
• Fresh dill (a few sprigs)
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup rice vinegar
• 1/2 cup white vinegar

Pickled Beets

• 2 medium-sized beets (boiled for 30 mins until tender, peeled and sliced)
• 2 cloves of garlic, sliced
• 1/2 tsp peppercorns
• Fresh thyme (a few sprigs)
• 1/4-1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup rice vinegar
• 1/2 cup white vinegar

Instructions

1. Prepare your veggies by thinly slicing and/or de-stemming. For the beets, boil them for 30 minutes or so, until tender, then peel and slice.
2. Next, add the italicized ingredients (salt, maple syrup, water, rice vinegar, white vinegar) to a pot and bring to a boil. If making all 4 jars, here are the quantities needed: 4 cups water, 2 cups white vinegar, 2 cups rice vinegar, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1 tbsp salt.
3. Add veggies to jars alongside herbs and spices. These are totally customizable! I like using any combination of sliced garlic, sliced ginger, fresh dill, fresh thyme, peppercorns, chili flakes, etc. but the options are endless (also consider fresh rosemary, bay leaves, mustard seed, coriander seed, fennel seed, fresh chili peppers for heat).
4. Finally, pour in the boiled water/vinegar mixture, leaving about 1/2 inch at the top of the jar. Let sit for 1-2 hours or until cooled, then seal and store in the refrigerator for about 1.5 weeks! Enjoy after a few hours (or 24 hours for more flavour!). If gifting, feel free to decorate your jars with ribbons, and happy holidays!