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These super addictive Spicy Quick Pickled Radishes are ready immediately! They’re perfect for sandwiches, burgers, tacos, crackers and cheese, and more.
I’ve got two new recipes that I’m pretty obsessed with right now. These spicy quick pickled radishes are one of them. The jar has been in my fridge for less than 24 hours and it’s already half empty! They’re just too damn good. They’re a great addition to sandwiches, tacos, and burgers. They make for a great salad mix in, and they top crackers perfectly. I’ve become keen on stacking these crispy bites onto wheat crackers with horseradish cheddar; no other snack exists to me right now.
Why quick pickling is awesome.
Growing up, pickling and canning meant spending an entire morning sterilizing an army of jars, stuffing them in an assembly line, giving them a final water bath to eliminate bacteria and to ensure a good seal, and then sitting around waiting for the cans to *pop*. But that was where the satisfaction ended on canning day, because you had to wait weeks before you could actually dig into that goodness.
Quick pickling small batches of vegetables makes so much more sense for today’s need for instant gratification. It takes very little time, requires minimal effort, and you get to enjoy the fruits of your (very minimal) labor immediately.
How to quick pickle radishes.
Quick pickling really is as fast and easy as it sounds. For this recipe, all you need to do is fill a pint-sized jar with thinly sliced radishes, plus whatever other ingredients you’re using. In this case, pickling spices, a chili pepper, and a smashed garlic clove. The brine is brought to a simmer over the stove and, once cooled, it’s poured into the jar with everything else. Give it a good shake and voila! You’re set. The radishes keep in the refrigerator for several weeks, but they’re at their crispiest within the first five days. If you’re like me, they won’t last that long anyway.
Quick pickle radish ingredients.
I’m pretty particular with my recipe; the flavors I’ve picked go together oh-so-perfectly. There’s a kick from the chili pepper, some sweetness from the maple syrup, a tangy bite from the apple cider vinegar, and warming flavors from the pickling spices. I’d love for you to try it my way, but I definitely encourage you to take this recipe and make it your own as well :)
For one, you could substitute the apple cider vinegar for rice wine vinegar. Another thing you could do is swap the pickling spices for your own mixture of spices with things like fennel seed, pink peppercorns, anise, etc. As for the chili, I like a serrano pepper or red chili. You could also use a jalapeno or habanero if you like an aggressive heat.
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. The use of the word “addictive” in the title comes from an honest place; I can’t stop eating these. I may have created a monster…
Addictive Spicy Quick Pickled Radishes
Equipment
- One 16 oz glass canning jar with a lid (like a Mason jar)
- Mandolin (optional, but preferred)
Ingredients
- 1 bunch of fresh radishes, thinly sliced, I recommend slicing your radishes with a mandolin on the thinnest setting. If you don't have a mandolin, slice the radishes as thin as you can.
- 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 TBSP real maple syrup
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp pickling spices
- 1 large garlic clove, peeled and smashed
- 1 serrano or red chili, thinly sliced; seeds included, Use half of the pepper if you don't want too much of a kick
Instructions
Preparing the radishes.
- Slice off the top and bottom tips of the radishes. Then, slice the radishes with a mandolin set to the thinnest setting to get thin rounds. If you don't have a mandolin, you can use a sharp knife and slice the radishes yourself. This will add a bit of time.
- Pack all of the radish slices into the canning jar. Add the pickling spices, smashed garlic clove, and sliced chili pepper to the jar as well; set aside.
Making the pickling brine.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, water, maple syrup, and salt. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the salt has dissolved and the mixture is cohesive. Remove the brine from the heat, and carefully pour it into the jar over the radishes. Set aside and let the mixture and radishes cool to about room temperature.
- You can serve the pickled radishes as soon as they've cooled, or cover and refrigerate them for later. The radishes will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks, but they're best and most crisp within the first five days of pickling.
I harvested a bunch of Easter egg radishes (multi colored) and needed something to do with them. I plant them in early March and their quick turn around to harvest under 30 days satisfies my urge to get the garden going too early. The greens make great pesto. Anyway I thought I’d give pickling them a go. I used honey instead of maple syrup, because I wasn’t sure of maple pickles, and used A 24 oz mason jar so it was a batch and a half of brine. I wish I had cut back on the pickling spice though. After they cooled I grabbed a couple and realized these were a keeper. Today will be the big test after they’ve had a chance to absorb more flavor and the jalapeno heat should arrive (if not, I will chop an habanero and add it). Next batch I will use small jars and pass on to family and friends. So yummy
Hi Bill! Honey definitely works. For what it’s worth, the maple flavor will not come out in the flavor—just the sweetness! I’m glad you enjoyed them. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave feedback.