Fresh carrot slices are marinated in a vinegar brine that is perfectly sweetened with coconut palm sugar, then stored in a glass jar until the carrots have soaked in all the delicious flavor from the brine. Pickled carrot sticks are the ideal refreshing afternoon snack, side dish, or appetizer for summer.
Do you like carrots? I sure do! In fact, I love all kinds of vegetables, but carrots may be my favorite. They're sweet, crunchy, and so good for you. Plus, they're pretty versatile - you can eat them raw or cooked in salads or soups. Carrots can even be pickled! With all the ways to enjoy carrots, what's not to love about them?
If you've been looking for an easy pickled carrot recipe, look no further! These pickled carrots are sweet, tangy, and absolutely delicious. This is a great way to preserve some of the harvests from your garden or just get more veggies in your diet, and they are really easy to make. All you need is a few simple ingredients and a little bit of patience while they soak up all that yummy pickling goodness.
What Are Pickled Carrots?
Pickled carrots are carrots that have been marinated in vinegar brine with seasonings, herbs, and spices. The brine is usually a mix of vinegar and sugar (in this case, coconut palm sugar) to give it just the right amount of sweet and tangy flavors.
Why You'll Love This Pickled Carrots Recipe
Quick- Pickled carrots are a great way to use up extra carrots, and they couldn't be easier to make. In just a few short minutes, you'll have delicious pickled carrots that will last for weeks in the fridge.
Sweet and Tangy- Pickled carrots have the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. They are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.
Pretty- These pickled carrots are delicious, but the bright orange colors also make them beautiful to look at. Use them to top off your next party platter or charcuterie board.
Easy to Make- Pickling carrots is easy to do! With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, these pickled carrots are easy to make. So if you're looking for a quick and delicious recipe, this is it!
Long Shelf Life- These pickled carrots will last for weeks in the refrigerator and yield a large batch size so you can enjoy them all month long!
Equipment Needed To Make Pickled Carrot Sticks
- Vegetable Peeler
- Medium Sized Saucepan
- Colander
- Glass Jar with Lid
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients For This Pickled Carrots Recipe
- Carrots- Firm, sweet carrots such as Imperator or Nantes for the best flavor and texture.
- Water- To cook the carrot slices in and to create the hot brine.
- Apple Cider Vinegar- Used in helping the pickling process.
- Coconut Palm Sugar- This helps to balance out the tartness of the vinegar and gives the carrots a hint of sweetness.
- Sea Salt- Brings out the flavor of the carrots and also helps preserve them.
How To Make Pickled Carrots
To make pickled carrots, start by peeling the carrots and cutting them into fat strips between 4 and 6 inches long. In a saucepan, add water and bring to a boil before adding the prepared carrot sticks. Allow the carrots to cook for a few minutes, then drain and set them aside.
In the same saucepan, add water, apple cider vinegar, and dry ingredients, then bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add the carrots, so the hot brine entirely covers them.
Let the carrots and vinegar solution cool completely before transferring them to a glass jar with a tightly sealed lid for storage.
Allow the carrot slices to marinate in the pickling liquid in the fridge overnight or for at least 6 hours.
It's that easy! I hope you enjoy this quick pickled carrots recipe.
What to Serve With Pickled Carrot Slices?
Pickled carrots are a fantastic snack just as they are, but they are also the perfect addition to any dish! Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy them:
- Thinly slice the carrots and use them on top of a fresh salad
- As a side dish to your favorite summer BBQ recipes
- In a veggie wrap or sandwich
- With hummus and crackers
- As an appetizer with dipping sauce
Popular Substitutions & Additions
While this recipe is delicious as written, there are a few ways you can change it up to suit your taste. Here are a few ideas to try:
- Add 1-2 whole black peppercorns or ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes to the brine for a spicier pickled carrot.
- If you prefer a sweeter carrot, increase the amount of coconut palm sugar in the recipe.
- For an extra zesty carrot, add the juice of ½ a lemon to the vinegar brine.
- Add herbs like fresh dill, dill seeds, or parsley to the jar to boost flavor.
- Try other veggies like cucumbers, green beans, or jalapeños!
How To Store Pickled Carrots
Allow the carrots and brine to cool completely before transferring them into a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. As long as the jar has an airtight seal, it will keep your pickles fresh and flavorful for up to 3 weeks.
Quick Pickled Carrots Recipe FAQs
Are pickled carrots and marinated carrots the same thing?
No. Pickled carrots are cooked in a vinegar mixture, while marinated carrots are soaked in a vinegar-based dressing. Marinated carrots will have a softer texture, while pickled carrots will be crisp and crunchy.
Can I use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar?
Yes, you can use white vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar, but the flavor will be slightly different using white vinegar. We recommend using apple cider vinegar for the best flavor.
Are pickled carrots good for you?
Yes, pickled carrots are a healthy, nutritious, and flavorful snack! They are low in calories and fat and are a great source of fiber and vitamins A and C.
What do you eat with pickled carrots?
Pickled carrots can be enjoyed on their own as a snack or served as a side dish to your favorite summer recipes. They are also delicious in wraps, sandwiches, and salads.
What type of carrot is best for pickling?
The best type of carrot to use for pickling is a firm, sweet variety such as Imperator or Nantes. These carrots are crunchy and hold up better when cooked in vinegar. Avoid using baby carrots, as they tend to be too soft for pickling.
Do you have to refrigerate pickled carrots?
Yes, You must store pickled carrots in the refrigerator. They will last up to 3 weeks when stored properly.
Quick Pickled Carrots Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound carrots
- 1 ½ cups water for blanching the carrots
- ½ cup cider vinegar
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons coconut palm sugar
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
Instructions
- Peel and scrape the carrots into fat strips about 4" to 6" long.
- In a medium sized saucepan add 1 ½ cups water and bring to a boil.
- Place the prepared carrots in the boiling water and cook 2 minutes.
- Drain and set aside.
- In the same saucepan mix the apple cider vinegar, water, coconut palm sugar and salt and stir well.
- Bring to a boil, turn down the heat to medium high and cook about 30 seconds.
- This is not a super sweet pickling. The sugar cuts the vinegar - just right.
- Remove from heat and add the carrots so that they are completely covered with the brine.
- Let cool and then place in a glass container with a tightly covered lid.
- Put in the refrigerator and marinate overnight or at least 6 hours.
Notes
These will keep in the refrigerator for about 3 weeks.
Ashley - Forking Up
I love pickling things! Pickled carrots are great because they keep such a good crunch.
Ginny McMeans
Oh, they are great Lisa! Such a fun side appetizer. Very fun!
Annemarie @ justalittlebitofbacon
Oooh! I love pickled veggies in my antipasto platters and these carrots look great. I think it would be fun to make them with rainbow carrots. Could I use maple syrup instead of the coconut sugar? (I always have maple syrup in the house.)
sara | belly rumbles
Love how you have used palm sugar in the pickling of these guys, I can imagine how great they taste.
Christine
When I was young, I ate so much carrots I was told I turned orange! I can't resist this recipe now. 😉
Ginny McMeans
Rainbow carrots! What a pretty idea! I'm not sure about the strength of maple syrup in this recipe vs. coconut sugar. I would go light with the syrup.