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A lively, tangy pickled garlic recipe using vinegar, sugar, salt, and warming spices. Quick to prepare and perfect for adding bold flavor to various dishes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
  • 1 small dried chili (optional for extra heat)

Instructions

  1. Select fresh, firm garlic cloves.
  2. Peel the garlic cloves.
  3. Place peeled cloves into a clean jar or glass container.
  4. Combine distilled white vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan.
  5. Warm over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until sugar and salt dissolve.
  6. Add red pepper flakes, black peppercorns, mustard seeds, bay leaf, and optional dried chili to the boiling liquid.
  7. Simmer the spiced pickling liquid gently for 5 minutes.
  8. Carefully pour the hot spiced vinegar mixture over the garlic, making sure cloves are fully submerged.
  9. Use a clean weight or spoon to press down any floating cloves.
  10. Tighten the jar lid and let the jar cool on the counter for 1–2 hours.
  11. Refrigerate the sealed jar.
  12. Allow the garlic to marinate in the refrigerator at least 24 hours before eating, longer for deeper flavor.

Notes

To achieve the best flavor, ensure garlic cloves are fully peeled and completely submerged in the pickling liquid., Flavor develops over time; best after at least 24 hours, improves with longer marinating., Customize heat level by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes and dried chili., Try swapping distilled white vinegar with apple cider vinegar for a fruity twist., Sugar can be replaced with honey or a sugar alternative for fewer calories., Salt amount can be adjusted to taste or replaced with a salt substitute., Always refrigerate and use airtight containers to keep garlic fresh up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cozyovenkitchen.com/pickled-garlic-recipe/