🌶️🧄 Homemade Spicy Pickled Garlic
Tangy, spicy, slightly sweet, and wonderfully crunchy—these pickled garlic cloves are perfect as a snack, appetizer, or topping for sandwiches, salads, and grilled meats.
Ingredients
2 cups peeled garlic cloves
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
2 tbsp sugar
1½ tsp salt
1–2 tbsp red pepper flakes, to taste
1–2 fresh jalapeños or chili peppers, thinly sliced
1 tsp black peppercorns
1 bay leaf
½ tsp mustard seeds, optional
Instructions
Prepare the garlic:
Peel the garlic cloves and discard any bruised or damaged pieces. Rinse and pat dry.
Make the brine:
In a saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, salt, red pepper flakes, black peppercorns, bay leaf, and mustard seeds. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring until the sugar and salt dissolve.
Add the garlic:
Reduce the heat and add the garlic cloves. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes. Don’t overcook—the garlic should remain firm.
Pack the jar:
Place the sliced jalapeños in a clean glass jar. Carefully pack the warm garlic cloves into the jar.
Pour in the brine:
Pour the hot vinegar mixture over the garlic until completely covered. Leave about ½ inch of space at the top.
Cool:
Let the jar cool uncovered until it reaches room temperature, then seal it and refrigerate.
Let it pickle:
For the best flavor, refrigerate for at least 3 days. The flavor becomes stronger after about a week.
đź«™ Storage
Because this is a refrigerator pickle, keep it refrigerated at all times. Use a clean utensil when removing garlic, and discard if you notice mold, unusual odors, or other signs of spoilage.
Serving ideas: Add the spicy pickled garlic to charcuterie boards, pizza, sandwiches, salads, rice bowls, or grilled meats.
