Pickled Garlic

If you love garlic and all things pickled, then this is going to be your new favorite recipe, guaranteed. Ultra tangy, with subtle sweet and spicy notes, pickled garlic is so good you’ll find yourself eating them straight out of the jar. 😋 Of course, there are a plethora of ways you can use these, besides just for snacking. They can level up dressings, marinades, and sauces. They go great on burgers and just about any sandwich and are a lovely addition to salads and charcuterie boards. The sky’s the limit for pickled garlic. So don’t let the simple process fool you. This pickled garlic recipe will last at least four months in your fridge!

What You Need

How to Make Pickled Garlic

Prep

Sterilize glass jars by boiling them in water for 10 minutes. Keep them warm until ready to use. Make the Brine – Combine the water, vinegar, sugar, kosher salt, black peppercorns, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, and crushed red pepper flakes in a stainless steel or enamel saucepan. Simmer – Bring the pickling mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar and salt dissolve. Add the garlic to the boiling mixture and cook for 1 minute.

Pack the Jars

Fill Jars – Divide the garlic between the sterilized jars with a slotted spoon, leaving about a ½ inch of headspace. Then, add a sprig of fresh dill to each jar. Add Pickling Mixture – Pour the hot pickling liquid into the jars, covering the garlic and leaving ½ inch of headspace. Remove any air bubbles, wipe the jar rims with a clean, damp cloth, and close the jars tightly. Store the jars in the refrigerator for about 3 weeks before consuming. The pickled garlic will last at least 4 months in the fridge.

Recipe Variations

Tips and Tricks

Make-Ahead Instructions

Pickled garlic is a make-ahead recipe by nature. You’ll want to prepare these a few weeks before you plan on consuming them anyway to let the flavor mellow.

Serving and Storage Instructions

Serve pickled garlic as a snack or add it to your favorite dishes after the 3-week curing time. Store pickled garlic in their jars with tightly sealed lids in the refrigerator. They should keep for at least four months. But always use a clean spoon or fork to take them out of the jar to avoid contaminating the brine. 🥄

How to Use Pickled Garlic

You can use your pickled garlic as a condiment or topping for burgers, a pulled pork sandwich, or pizzas. (It tastes amazing on chicken alfredo pizza.) You can also include it in stir fry and marinades. You can even enjoy pickled garlic as a standalone snack.