Apple Cider Vinegar Pickles
Talk about pickle perfection…you’ll flip for these sour selections. I make mine with apple cider vinegar for a hint of natural sweetness, balanced with a bold mix of herbs and spices that really take the flavor to the next level.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 2 to 3 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced into coins (about 2 cups’ worth)
- Dash dried red pepper flakes
Instructions
- To make brine, combine water, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black peppercorns in a pot over medium heat, and bring to a light boil.
- Place cucumber slices into the brine and stir for 1 minute.
- In a mason jar, place garlic cloves and red pepper flakes. Pour cucumber and brine mixture into mason jar, making sure cucumbers are fully coated. Secure lid on the jar and gently shake to distribute garlic and red pepper flakes.
- Let cool and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (although the flavor develops over time, so I recommend letting it refrigerate overnight). These will stay good in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 weeks.
Notes
Note on garlic: If you make your pickles with garlic, you may notice that they turn a blue-ish, green color after a while—this is totally normal. It’s a chemical reaction that occurs when a compound in the garlic reacts with the acid in the vinegar. It's safe to eat and doesn’t affect the flavor.
There are a few things you can do to try to prevent the discoloration: use fresh garlic (this is more likely to happen with older garlic), use distilled water since it won’t have the trace metals found in tap water. Use iodine-free salt, like kosher or sea salt. Prepare the recipe in glass, stainless steel or enamel cookware using the same type of utensils, if possible. And finally, store your finished jar in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
Nutrition Information per serving
Calories: 15Carbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gTotal Fat: 0g— Unsaturated Fat: 0g— Saturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 175mgFiber: 1gTotal Sugar: 0g— Natural Sugar: 0g— Added Sugar: 0g
Nutrition information is calculated using a leading industry software. That being said, brands can vary, and there may be slight fluctuations in the numbers.