Hot Honey Pickled Carrots
Hot Honey Pickled Carrots are a flavorful and tangy snack or condiment combining the sweetness of honey with a spicy kick from red pepper flakes. Perfectly crisp carrots are soaked in a zesty apple cider vinegar brine infused with garlic and black peppercorns, making them a deliciously addictive addition to salads, sandwiches, or as a standalone treat.
- Author: Daniel
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 day 15 minutes
- Yield: About 4 cups 1x
- Category: Side Dish, Snack, Condiment
- Method: Pickling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Vegetables
- 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
Pickling Brine
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- Prepare the Brine: In a medium saucepan, combine the apple cider vinegar, honey, red pepper flakes, salt, black peppercorns, and smashed garlic cloves. Place the pan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the honey and salt.
- Add Carrots: Once the brine is simmering, add the carrot sticks to the pan and stir well to ensure all pieces are coated evenly with the hot honey pickling liquid.
- Cool the Mixture: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the carrot and brine mixture to cool for about 10 minutes. This step helps to slightly soften the carrots while retaining their crispness.
- Transfer to Container: Carefully pour the carrots along with the pickling liquid into a clean jar or airtight container, making sure the carrots are fully submerged to ensure even pickling.
- Refrigerate: Seal the container and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving. This resting period allows the flavors to meld and the carrots to absorb the sweet, spicy, and tangy notes of the brine.
Notes
- Use fresh, firm carrots for the best texture and flavor.
- The pickled carrots can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- For a more intense garlic flavor, add an extra clove or two to the brine.
- Serve these pickled carrots as a tangy side dish, salad topper, or as a zesty snack.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 0.1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: hot honey pickled carrots, pickled carrots recipe, spicy pickled vegetables, honey pickled carrots, easy pickle recipe, tangy carrot snack