How To Pickle Anything – Quickly!

Pickles also change over time. That's why it's important to taste your work as you go because sometimes pickles are at their best after several weeks in the brine, while other times the flavor is superior after just a few days.  

Then there is the quick-pickle — the kind of pickle that's ready in less than 24 hours, and sometimes in only minutes. One way to speed up the process is to eliminate the water component in the brine. That way, acid is in direct contact with the ingredient so pickling is nearly instantaneous.

Ready to try? Here are some ingredients perfect for quick-pickling — plus some recipes to try them with!

These pickles are quick! A fast, easy pickle gives artichokes a wonderful sharpness, complemented in this recipe by olives, red pepper, and onions.

For the Pickled Artichoke Salad recipe, click here.

Sweet, tangy, spicy, salty, sour — pickles are bite-sized powerhouses of flavor! These spicy pickled peppers make great additions to anything from burgers to hot dogs to quesadillas. Try making them tonight.

Click here for the recipe for Pickled Banana Peppers.

Pickling green tomatoes will help extend tomato season. Pickled tomatoes are excellent for chutneys, as part of an antipasto plate, as a garnish, or mixed into a Bloody Mary. They can even be combined with fresh red tomatoes for an unusual salad.

For the Tomato Salad With Pickled Green Tomatoes recipe, click here.

Sliced onions mingle in pickling brine along with coriander, cumin, and red pepper flakes. Once cool, these quick-pickled onions are ready to top this thick and juicy burger.

Find the recipe for Hill Country Brisket Burger here!

A quick pickle of red onion serves as a tangy counterpoint to meaty swordfish in this simple slider recipe.

Check out these pickled red onions in this Grilled Swordfish Slider recipe.

Pickled ginger has long been a favorite of sushi lovers. This recipe is super easy; you can go from a knob of fresh ginger to delicious pickled ginger in about 24 hours. Enjoy with sushi, seared tuna, or simply on its own. P.S. if you want a slightly pink version, add a slice of red beet to the pickling brine. 

Find the recipe here!

These quick-pickled cucumbers are a perfect accompaniment to these tuna burgers.

Click here for this recipe for Tuna Burgers With Wasabi Mayo and Quick Cucumber Pickles.

A simple brine is heated in the microwave before being introduced to the cucumbers. As soon as the brine is cooled, the pickles are ready to go in just about 10–30 minutes.

There are many ways to pickle cabbage; kimchi and sauerkraut are just a few examples. Quickly pickled cabbage adds a crunch factor that is often missing in soft-shelled tacos. In this recipe, shredded cabbage, minced garlic, jalapeño, and bright, herbaceous cilantro add a tasty punch to any taco.

Find the recipe for Mexican Pickled Cabbage here!

A quick pickle gives mangos an addictive and pleasant bite. In this featured recipe for pickled mangos, the sweet and sour elements of the pickling liquid also form the base for the vinaigrette. 

Click here for Quick Pickled Mangos With Tender Greens recipe.

Rice vinegar, agave, and salt surround carrots, radishes and ginger for just 30 minutes before being ready to be added to this recipe.

For Seared Sesame Broccoli Rabe Banh Mi Barley Bowls With Quick-Pickles, click here.