Hot Honey Pickled Carrots: A Sweet and Spicy Delight Recipe

Introduction

Hot Honey Pickled Carrots offer a vibrant mix of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors in every bite. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect as a snack, side dish, or a unique addition to sandwiches and salads.

Ingredients

• 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
• 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

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a saucepan, combine apple cider vinegar, honey, red pepper flakes, salt, black peppercorns, and garlic. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
2. Step 2: Once the mixture is simmering, add the carrot sticks and stir to coat them evenly.
3. Step 3: Remove the saucepan from heat and let it cool for about 10 minutes to slightly soften the carrots and infuse the flavors.
4. Step 4: Transfer the carrots along with the pickling liquid to a jar or airtight container.
5. Step 5: Refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld perfectly.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crunch, slice carrots thinner or leave them slightly thicker depending on your preference.
• Add a sprig of fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary for an herbaceous twist.
• Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the heat level, adding more for extra spice or less for mild heat.
• Try substituting apple cider vinegar with rice vinegar for a milder acidity.

Storage

Store the pickled carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The flavor deepens over time. Serve chilled or at room temperature. If reheating, briefly warm in a pan but avoid boiling to preserve texture and taste.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other vegetables instead of carrots?

Yes, you can use veggies like cucumbers, radishes, or cauliflower. Adjust pickling time since some vegetables soften faster.

How spicy are these pickled carrots?

The heat comes from red pepper flakes and can be adjusted to taste. Start with less if you prefer a milder spice and increase as desired.

Hot Honey Pickled Carrots: A Sweet and Spicy Delight Recipe

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4.9 from 63 reviews

Hot Honey Pickled Carrots are a vibrant and flavorful treat that combines the natural sweetness of honey with a spicy kick from red pepper flakes. These quick-pickled carrots are perfect as a zesty snack, a tangy side dish, or a delicious topping for salads and sandwiches. The combination of apple cider vinegar, garlic, and spices creates a balanced pickling liquid that infuses the carrots with a bright, bold flavor.

• Author: Felix
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 1 day 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Pickles
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Carrots

• 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into sticks

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

Instructions

1. Prepare the pickling liquid: In a saucepan, combine apple cider vinegar, honey, red pepper flakes, salt, black peppercorns, and garlic. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it reaches a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld.
2. Add the carrots: Once the pickling liquid is simmering, add the peeled and cut carrot sticks. Stir well to ensure all carrots are evenly coated with the hot honey mixture.
3. Cool off the mixture: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the carrots and pickling liquid cool for about 10 minutes. This step helps to slightly soften the carrots and infuse them with the pickling flavors.
4. Transfer to a container: Carefully transfer the carrots along with the pickling liquid into a clean jar or airtight container to store.
5. Refrigerate and marinate: Refrigerate the jar for at least 24 hours before serving to allow the carrots to fully absorb the sweet and spicy pickling flavors, creating a deliciously tangy treat.

Notes

• For crisper carrots, reduce refrigerator marinating time to a few hours instead of 24+ hours.
• Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spice level according to your preference.
• Use a glass jar or container to store the pickled carrots to avoid any reaction with vinegar.
• These pickled carrots can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
• Add fresh herbs like dill or thyme to the pickling liquid for an extra herbaceous flavor.

Keywords: hot honey pickled carrots, spicy pickled carrots, quick pickled carrots, sweet and spicy pickled carrots, apple cider vinegar pickled carrots