When fall rolls around, my kitchen turns into a little pickling zone. Jars, vinegar, vegetables everywhere – it’s that time of the year again!
This Spicy Pickled Carrots Salad is one of those recipes I look forward to every year. It is a bit spicy, and seriously one of the easiest things you can make. I’m not exaggerating when I say this might be the best spicy pickled carrots salad out there you’ve tried. My husband and I both love spicy food, and this one hits the spot every time.
It’s quick, budget-friendly, and tastes way fancier than it actually is. The best part is that it only takes three main ingredients. People always ask me for this recipe.
Back home in Europe, they call this a “medicine salad” because they used to add aspirin in the brine to preserve it. I skip the aspirin trick some folks use, but I do keep the same old-school pickling method, just like my pickled vegetable salad recipe.
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Why This Salad is the Best
This salad checks all the boxes – it is quick to make, super affordable, and so flavourful. It’s one of those recipes that everyone ends up asking about. It is that good!
What You’ll Need
Carrots – Cook them halfway. You want them tender but still with a little crunch.
Hot Green Peppers – Give them a quick char for that smoky, spicy flavour.
Garlic – You can’t skip this. It adds the best aroma and that amazing flavour.
For the Brine
Red Wine Vinegar – It gives this salad that unique tangy flavour. But also important for the preservation of the vegetables.
Sugar and Salt – To balance the vinegar and spice. Feel free to adjust to your taste.
Vegetable Oil – Helps mellow out the sharpness and tie everything together.
Spicy Pickled Carrots Salad
Course: SaladsCuisine: MacedonianDifficulty: Medium4
medium jars30
minutes10
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minutesEasy spicy pickled carrots salad recipe - tangy, flavourful, and easy to make. Try the best spicy pickled carrots salad at home today.
Ingredients
- For the salad
2 pounds carrots
1 pound hot green peppers
2 large heads of garlic
1 bunch parsley
- For the brine
½ cup salt
¾ cup sugar
2 cups red wine vinegar
1 cup vegetable oil
How to make the Pickled Carrots Salad
- Wash the carrots, peppers, and parsley, then let them dry.
- Peel the carrots and cook them halfway. They should be soft enough to bite, but not mushy.
- Drain and let them cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, char the peppers on the stove, turning them so they blister evenly.
- Slice the carrots into half-inch pieces (not too thin), cut the peppers, and toss them together in a large bowl.
- Chop the garlic and add it to the bowl.
- In a pot, combine red wine vinegar, oil, sugar, and salt. Bring to a gentle boil for about 5 minutes.
- Pour the hot brine over the vegetables and mix well.
- Add the chopped parsley, stir again, and cover the bowl. Let the salad sit for at least 3 hours to soak up the flavours.
- Once cooled, transfer everything into sterilized jars, making sure the veggies are fully covered with brine.
Notes
- You can adjust the spiciness of the salad by using milder or hotter peppers, depending on your taste and tolerance.
How to Sterilize the Jars
- Wash the jars well.
- Preheat the oven to 200°F, place the jars inside, and turn off the oven after 5-10 minutes.
- DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN. Keep the oven closed while they cool – sudden temperature changes can crack the glass.
- Once cool, fill the jars with salad and seal tightly.
- Return the closed jars to a 200°F oven (turned off) to let them slowly cool again.
- Once completely cool, move them to your pantry or fridge.
How to Store the Spicy Pickled Carrots Salad
Once your jars are sealed and cooled, you have two easy options for storing:
You can keeps the salad in the fridge for up to 3 months. The flavour actually gets better after the first few days as the carrots soak up all that brine and spice.
If your jars are well-sealed and sterilized, they’ll stay good for up to 2 months in a cool, dark spot, like the pantry.
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Hi, I’m Biba, the creator of Chick in Apron! As a busy mom and food blogger, I am passionate about making cooking fun and stress-free. I share simple, delicious recipes that are quick and easy to prepare, along with helpful kitchen hacks to save you time.
So, let’s turn cooking into something you enjoy with tasty meals and handy tips to make kitchen tasks a breeze! ✨
