Description
Hot Honey Pickled Carrots combine the tangy brightness of apple cider vinegar with the sweet heat of honey and red pepper flakes, creating a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors. This quick pickled carrot recipe is easy to make and adds a vibrant, flavorful crunch to salads, sandwiches, or as a standalone snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Pickling Liquid
- 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
Vegetables
- 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
Instructions
- Prepare Pickling Liquid: In a saucepan, combine apple cider vinegar, honey, red pepper flakes, salt, black peppercorns, and garlic. Heat the mixture over medium heat and bring it to a gentle simmer, ensuring the honey dissolves fully and the flavors meld together.
- Add Carrots: Once simmering, add the peeled and cut carrot sticks to the saucepan. Stir thoroughly to ensure all carrot pieces are evenly coated with the pickling liquid and spices.
- Cool Down: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the mixture to cool for about 10 minutes to prevent heat damage to the container and maintain texture integrity.
- Transfer to Jar: Pour the carrots along with the pickling liquid and seasonings into a clean jar or airtight container, making sure the carrots are fully submerged to maximize pickling effectiveness.
- Refrigerate and Marinate: Place the jar in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before serving. This resting period allows the carrots to absorb the sweet and spicy flavors, creating a deliciously tangy and crunchy pickle.
Notes
- For a milder spice, reduce the red pepper flakes to 1/2 teaspoon.
- Pickled carrots can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Use fresh carrots for the best crunch and flavor absorption.
- Try adding other spices like mustard seeds or coriander for variation.
- This recipe works well as a quick pickle but flavors deepen if left for 2-3 days before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: hot honey pickled carrots, quick pickled carrots, sweet and spicy pickles, apple cider vinegar pickled carrots, easy pickled vegetables
