Amazing Quick-Pickled Spicy Cauliflower

This quick-pickled spicy cauliflower recipe gets the ‘amazing’ descriptor. After trying it for the first time, my friends literally said “you need to put this on the blog!” So here we are. And I do think it’s a spicy cauliflower recipe that is well deserving of being called amazing. You can make this easy, quick-pickled cauliflower in under 30 minutes. They’re a twist on refrigerator-style pickles. Or, you could sterilize your jars and make them shelf-stable too. Easy as that!

Why You’ll Love This Quick-Pickled Spicy Cauliflower Recipe

If you’ve read my other recipes, then you know I like a “loose” recipe.

One that can be modified and customized. One that doesn’t require exact measuring.

Well, this quick-pickled spicy cauliflower recipe is just that!

But if you want exacts…

I think you’ll love this easy pickled cauliflower recipe for these reasons:

• The flavour is bold and bright. The combination of turmeric powder, hot peppers and sugar balance the sweet and spicy flavours perfectly.
• They can easily be made shelf-stable. Just sterilize your jars thoroughly before adding in your ingredients and brine. Then you can keep these on the shelf for months to years. Be sure to follow proper guidelines for safe food pickling.
• You can customize your add-ins. Make them more spicy with extra peppers. Or add more garlic for a bite. If you love curry, some additional curry powder in here would be great too.

Should You Blanch Your Cauliflower Before Pickling It?

Yes, you want to blanch your cauliflower for 2 minutes before pickling it.

Blanching cauliflower is easy to do!

Simply bring a large pot of water to a boil. Then gently add in your chopped cauliflower.

Let cauliflower blanch in hot water for 2 minutes.

Finally, use a slotted kitchen spoon to remove, draining water.

That’s it!

What Ingredients Do I Need For Quick-Pickled Spicy Cauliflower

• A large head of cauliflower or two medium-sized heads
• Fresh hot peppers of your choice — I typically use whatever is fresh from the garden. I’ve used different varieties of cayenne peppers and chilli peppers.
• Garlic
• Pickling spice
• Pepper corns
• Water
• Pickling vinegar
• Pickling salt
• White sugar
• Turmeric powder
• Cumin powder
• Good quality canning jars — this recipe makes enough for 2!

5 Easy Steps To Make Spicy Pickled Cauliflower

Step 1: Chop cauliflower into bite sized pieces

Use a good quality, sharp kitchen knife.

No need to worry about perfectly uniform pieces. I like to chop them into bite-sized pieces.

It’s actually nice to have a combination of sizes when snacking on them!

Step 2: Add spices + add-ins to jars

Add your pickling spice, pepper corns, garlic, hot peppers to jar.

Get creative here! Add anything else you might like.

Here’s a few ideas:

• Bay leaf
• Curry leaf
• Red onions
• Ginger

Step 3: Blanch cauliflower

Blanch cauliflower for 2 minutes.

To do so, simply bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Once lightly boiling, add in cauliflower.

Remove after 2 minutes using a slotted spoon.

Then add your blanched cauliflower directly into your pickling jars. Pack tightly, using a spoon to push cauliflower deeper into jar.

Step 4: Bring brine to a boil

In another medium sized pot, add-in:

• Water
• Vinegar
• Sugar
• Pickling salt
• Turmeric powder
• Cumin powder

Mix well and bring to a boil.

Step 5: Fill jars

Once brine is boiling, carefully pour over cauliflower mixture in jars.

Leave about 1/2inch of room to top.

Then seal jars and let sit on the counter at room temperature until cool. About 3-4 hours.

How To Store Quick-Pickled Cauliflower

Quick-pickled cauliflower will keep in the fridge for months.

If you choose to sterilize your jars, you can easily make this pickled cauliflower recipe shelf-stable. In that case, it would keep well in your pantry or away from direct sunlight for 1-2 years.

Be sure to use safe canning practices!

Amazing Quick-Pickled Spicy Cauliflower

★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews

• Author: From Soil to Soul – Maggie
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 jars 1x
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

Easy, quick-pickled cauliflower in under 30 minutes. A twist on refrigerator-style pickles. With turmeric, garlic, cumin, hot peppers, peppercorns, sugar, salt and anything else you like!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 good quality glass canning jars
• 1 large head of cauliflower or two small to medium-sized heads
• 2 fresh hot peppers of your choice — I typically use whatever is fresh from the garden. I’ve used different varieties of cayenne peppers and chilli peppers
• 6 cloves of garlic sliced in half
• 2 tbsp of pickling spice
• 2 tbsp of pepper corns
• 1 1/3 cups of water
• 1 1/3 cups of pickling vinegar
• 2 tbsp of pickling salt
• 1/2 cup of white sugar
• 1 tbsp of turmeric powder
• 2 tsp of cumin powder

 

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Instructions

1. Begin by cleaning your jars. Clean with dish soap and hot water. If opting for a shelf-stable pickled cauliflower, be sure to sterilize jars in the oven or in a water bath.

2. Chop your cauliflower into bite-sized pieces. They do not need to be perfectly uniform! Wash them in a strainer under cold water.

3. Next add to each jar 3 cloves of sliced garlic, 1 hot pepper cut into length-wise pieces, 1 tbsp of pickling spice and 1 tbsp of peppercorns. Keeping seeds in peppers will make for a spicier pickle.

4. Bring a large pot of water to a light boil. Add all cauliflower to the pot and gently blanch for 2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove from the water. Then add directly to each jar. Use a spoon to pack cauliflower down tightly.

5. Make your brine. To a medium sized pot add water, pickling vingear, salt, sugar, turmeric powder and cumin powder. Bring to a boil.

6. Once boiling, reduce heat for 30 seconds before pouring over jars. Be sure to leave 1/2 inch of space or so below the lip.

7. Seal jars and let sit at room temperature until cool. About 3-4 hours.

8. Store cauliflower in the fridge for months being careful to resale the jar after each use.

Enjoy as a quick snack or served with a charcuterie-style board. They also make a great, homemade hostess gift!

 

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Keywords: spicy quick pickled cauliflower, easy pickled cauliflower recipe, pickled cauliflower with chili, quick refrigerator pickles, low-carb pickled cauliflower