Pickled Cauliflower Recipe (2024)

Published August 10, 2022.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This tasty, pickled cauliflower recipe is not only easy-to-prepare, but it is the perfect accompaniment to any meal.

Pickled Cauliflower Recipe (1)

Pickled cauliflower is simply bite-size pieces of uncooked cauliflower that are covered in a hot vinegar solution, along with other seasonings, to help extend the shelf life and enhance the taste. There are many different ingredients you can add to the brine, depending on your preferred flavor profile. These would be great to use in a homemade giardiniera or even as a garnish for tacos, salad, soups, or sandwiches.

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Cauliflower – Any fresh head of cauliflower cut into small bite-size pieces. You’ll only use about a ½ of a head.
  • Water – You will need cold water to help cut down the vinegar flavor.
  • Vinegar – I used white distilled vinegar in my recipe.
  • Salt – I always use sea salt in my recipes, and this is used to help season the carrots and for preservation.
  • Sugar – This will help add flavor as well as preservation.
  • Peppercorns – Some whole peppercorns will add a bunch of spice to the cauliflower.
  • Mustard Seeds – These add awesome flavor and texture to the recipe.
  • Onions – You will only need a few slices of yellow onions of this.
  • Garlic – A few cloves will give a huge flavor boost to the pickled cauliflower.
  • Bell Peppers – I liked to use a few red or yellow bell pepper slices in this.
Pickled Cauliflower Recipe (2)

How to Make Pickled Cauliflower

Place the bite-size pieces of cauliflower filling up a third of the jar along with a few garlic cloves.

Pickled Cauliflower Recipe (3)

Add some of the sliced bell peppers and onions, and then add 1/3 more of the cauliflower. Repeat with peppers, onions, and cauliflower until full.

Pickled Cauliflower Recipe (4)

Next, make the brine and bring it to a boil over high heat. Ensure the salt and sugar are completely dissolved before removing them from the burner.

Pickled Cauliflower Recipe (5)

Pour the brine over the cauliflower in the jar, making sure to submerge them.

Pickled Cauliflower Recipe (6)

Cool to room temperature before adding on the seal and lid and placing in the refrigerator.

Pickled Cauliflower Recipe (7)

Flavor Variations

There are many other ingredients you can add to this existing recipe to enhance the flavor, or you can simply create your own brine. Here are some things that would go well in a brine.

  • Cider Vinegar
  • Red Wine Vinegar
  • Ginger
  • Coriander Seeds
  • Cumin Seeds
  • Celery Seeds
  • Jalapeños
  • Red Pepper Flakes
  • Dill
  • Thyme
  • Rosemary

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead: You can make these up to 1 week ahead of time.

How to Store: Place the pickled cauliflower sealed in the jar with the lid in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 weeks. These will not freeze.

Pickled Cauliflower Recipe (8)

Chef Notes + Tips

  • Use a butter knife to help move the ingredients around once the brine is in the jar and the cauliflower.
  • For best flavor results, wait at least 24 hours before eating the pickled cauliflower. The longer you wait, the more intense in flavor they will get.
  • Make sure your jars are completely clean and sterilized before using them.
  • Depending on the size of your cauliflower, you may need more or less to fill the jars.

More Vegetable Recipes

  • Pickled Green Beans
  • Succotash
  • Pickled Beets
  • Potatoes Anna
  • Pickled Carrots

Be sure to follow me onFacebook,YouTube,Instagram,andPinterest,and if you’ve had a chance to make this, then definitely drop me a comment and a rating below.

Pickled Cauliflower Recipe (9)

Video

Save

Pickled Cauliflower Recipe

Pickled Cauliflower Recipe (10)

Print

5 from 4 votes

This tasty, pickled cauliflower recipe is not only easy-to-prepare, but it is the perfect accompaniment to any meal.

Ingredients

  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 4 cups or roughly a half head of trimmed fresh cauliflower
  • ¼ cup peeled and thinly sliced yellow onion
  • ¼ cup seeded and thinly sliced red bell pepper
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 1 ½ cups distilled vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

Instructions

  • Place the garlic cloves and bite-size pieces of cauliflower filling up a third of the jar.

  • Add some of the sliced bell peppers and onions, and then add a 1/3 more of the cauliflower. Repeat with peppers, onions, and cauliflower until full.

  • Next, add the water, vinegar, sugar, salt, mustard seeds, and peppercorns to a large pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. Make sure the salt and sugar are completely dissolved before removing it from the burner.

  • Pour the brine over the cauliflower in the jar making sure to submerge them.

  • Cool to room temperature before adding on the seal and lid and placing in the refrigerator. Wait 24 hours before eating them for the best flavor. See notes on shelf life.

Notes

Make-Ahead: You can make these up to 1 week ahead of time.

How to Store: Place the pickled cauliflower sealed in the jar with the lid in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 weeks. These will not freeze.

Use a butter knife to help move the ingredients around once the brine is in the jar and the cauliflower.

For best flavor results, wait at least 24 hours before eating the pickled cauliflower. The longer you wait, the more intense in flavor they will get.

Make sure your jars are completely clean and sterilized before using them.

Depending on the size of your cauliflower, you may need more or less to fill the jars.

Nutrition

Calories: 258kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 14gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gSodium: 1948mgPotassium: 2085mgFiber: 15gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 1174IUVitamin C: 360mgCalcium: 175mgIron: 3mg

Course: side dishes

Cuisine: American

Author: Chef Billy Parisi

Elevate Your Every Day Cooking

Get Chef Billy’s go-to tips that transform “blah” into “brilliant” plus weekly newsletter!

Add a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

10 comments

    • KSP
    • Pickled Cauliflower Recipe (11)

    This is the first time I make pickled cauliflower. I absolutely loved it. Next time, I will add celery seed, crushed red pepper and a little more onions and bell peppers.

    Thank you for a great recipe. I will try your pickled green beans next!!!!

    • Reply
    • Pickled Cauliflower Recipe (12)

        excellent!

        • Reply
      • Linda Levak
      • Pickled Cauliflower Recipe (13)

      So delicious!!! I had always bought pickled veg off the shelf, but Chef Billy’s recipe is not only much more tasty, it’s fun to make! I might try other veg too — maybe green beans? Thanks for this recipe, Chef Billy, and Happy Thanksgiving =) =)

      • Reply
        • Chef Billy Parisi

        Thanks!

        • Reply
      • sue 👋
      • Pickled Cauliflower Recipe (14)

      Love picked do so much with it great for digestion for me thank you for your 😋🤩👋recipe Chef Billy 🤩😁👋😋😍😌

      • Reply
        • Chef Billy Parisi

        thank you!

        • Reply
      • Amy

      I know most pickling brines call for sugar, but is it necessary and does it make it sweet? Thanks!

      • Reply
      • Pickled Cauliflower Recipe (15)

          it’s for flavor, not neccary

          • Reply
        • Sue Macleod
        • Pickled Cauliflower Recipe (16)

        Love love pickles with food also veggies etc will do yum oh 🤤thank you ChiefBilly 😁👌👋

        • Reply
        • Pickled Cauliflower Recipe (17)

            so good!!

            • Reply
        Pickled Cauliflower Recipe (2024)

        FAQs

        Is pickled cauliflower good for you? ›

        Studies have shown that cauliflower is great for fighting cancer, boosting heart and brain health, and detoxifying your digestive system. On top of that it's really high in vitamins and minerals, proteins, and fiber. Since this is pickled cauliflower, the digestive benefits are even higher than in regular cauliflower.

        Does pickled cauliflower go bad? ›

        Even with proper storage methods, pickled cauliflower will eventually expire. This means that you should be keeping a sharp eye out for signs of spoilage in order to prevent yourself from consuming harmful pathogens that could make you sick.

        Why did my pickled cauliflower turn brown? ›

        Darker vinegars like apple cider or red wine vinegar make the brine darker and cause the ingredients to darken. Most pickled cauliflower recipes will recommend using white vinegar to avoid this issue, like this spicy Chicago-style giardiniera recipe from Tasting Table.

        What to eat with pickled cauliflower? ›

        Smoked Chickpea Salad with Pickled Cauliflower | TASTE. The earthy flavor of smoked chickpeas pairs especially well with bright, vivid flavors like those of pickled vegetables, cucumber, and fresh dill.

        Which is the best vinegar for pickling? ›

        Most pickle recipes call for distilled white vinegar. This is the clear, colorless vinegar made by fermenting grains. It has a mellow aroma, tart acid flavor and does not affect the color of light-colored vegetables or fruits.

        What is the healthiest pickled vegetable? ›

        Pickled beets are a staple across many Eastern European countries, where they're served in salads or as a side dish, but they're also particularly popular in the US. They can be fermented or quick-pickled with vinegar, and they're a great source of fiber, antioxidants, vitamin C, folate, and B vitamins.

        Why does pickled cauliflower turn pink? ›

        Why is cauliflower pink? This is due to a chemical reaction caused by the interaction of pickling liquid acid with the pigment of the cauliflower. Pink cauliflower is safe to eat.

        Should you refrigerate pickled vegetables? ›

        Open jars of pickled food should always be refrigerated—unless you have a root cellar or other storage space that stays a constant 34° to 40°F. Even some unopened jars should be stored in the refrigerator.

        Are fizzy pickles safe to eat? ›

        The fizzy brine I experienced, Smith says, was likely a sign of microbial growth. “A lot of times when microorganisms grow, as part of the fermentation process they produce carbon dioxide gas,” she says. “And so definitely don't eat anything that's discolored or fizzing.”

        Why don't pickle jars say pickle on them? ›

        Because we pack our products in a glass jar, consumers can see that the jar contains pickles,” a Mt. Olive spokesperson tells TODAY.com. “Consequently, we use the front label to focus on the variety — the cut and flavor — of the pickle inside the jar.

        Why do you soak cucumbers in salt water before pickling? ›

        This salt treatment draws water out of the cucumbers and flavors them, so it's critically important. After layering or mixing in plenty of sea salt, I cover the salted cukes with ice cubes and a tea towel and forget about them for a few hours.

        Is calcium chloride in pickles bad for you? ›

        Calcium chloride is safe to use, just like salt or baking soda! Calcium chloride is a food additive that has been tested and approved by the World Health Organization, Health Canada, the FDA (USA), and European standards. It is officially classified as a firming agent.

        What cheese goes with pickled vegetables? ›

        Bright, crunchy pickles provide a welcome foil for cheese. Their acidity cuts through rich, creamy cheese in your mouth, refreshing the palate for your next bite. We love classic dill cucumber pickles with sharp cheddar, for instance, but just about every style of cheese can be complemented with the right pickle.

        What salt for pickling? ›

        Use of canning or pickling salt is recommended. Fermented and non-fermented pickles may be safely made using either iodized or non-iodized table salt. However, non-caking materials added to table salts may make the brine cloudy. Flake salt varies in density and is not recommended for use.

        Is it okay to eat pickled vegetables everyday? ›

        While pickles should be consumed in moderation due to their high sodium content, they may have some health benefits: Probiotic effects: Naturally fermented pickles and their juice contain good bacteria, which when ingested in moderation can help with digestion and immune health.

        Does pickled cauliflower have probiotics? ›

        A word of caution: These foods are high in salt. Consult a doctor if you have a condition that requires a low-sodium diet. Fermented foods may help boost the immune system and also help with heart health. Fermented cauliflower contains probiotics, vitamins, and minerals, giving the body a ton of nutrition.

        Are pickled vegetables good for your gut? ›

        Fermented foods like pickles are basically probiotic superfoods, packed full of good bacteria that can support the health of your gastrointestinal microbiome and are good for your gut bacteria. Be sure to go for fermented pickles rather than vinegar-pickled.

        Are pickled vegetables healthier than fresh? ›

        When fruits and vegetables are pickled, they retain most of their nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This means that by consuming pickled fruits and vegetables, you can easily incorporate nutrient-rich foods into your diet.

        Top Articles
        Latest Posts
        Article information

        Author: Margart Wisoky

        Last Updated:

        Views: 6427

        Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

        Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

        Author information

        Name: Margart Wisoky

        Birthday: 1993-05-13

        Address: 2113 Abernathy Knoll, New Tamerafurt, CT 66893-2169

        Phone: +25815234346805

        Job: Central Developer

        Hobby: Machining, Pottery, Rafting, Cosplaying, Jogging, Taekwondo, Scouting

        Introduction: My name is Margart Wisoky, I am a gorgeous, shiny, successful, beautiful, adventurous, excited, pleasant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.