Pickled Apples
Pickled apples offer a vibrant and tangy burst of flavor with a refreshing crunch that beautifully enhances both sweet and savory dishes. This simple recipe uses crisp apples and a balanced spiced vinegar brine to create a versatile accompaniment perfect for salads, sandwiches, cheeses, and roasted meats.
- Author: Emilly
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 days (including pickling time)
- Yield: About 2 cups of pickled apples 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Pickling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 3 fresh firm apples (such as Granny Smith or Fuji), washed, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup sugar (adjustable to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
- Prepare the Apples: Wash, core, and thinly slice the apples evenly, leaving the skin on to add color and texture to the pickled apples.
- Make the Brine: In a saucepan, combine apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, salt, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and peppercorns. Bring to a gentle simmer while stirring until the sugar dissolves completely and the spices begin to release their aroma.
- Pack the Jars: Place the sliced apples neatly into sterilized jars or airtight containers, layering to maximize space. Pour the hot brine over the apples, fully submerging them and removing any air bubbles.
- Let Them Pickle: Seal the jars and allow them to cool to room temperature before refrigerating. For best results, let the pickled apples sit for 24 to 48 hours before enjoying; flavors deepen over time.
Notes
- Use fresh, firm apples like Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp for best texture and flavor retention.
- Thinly slice apples for faster and more even absorption of the pickling brine.
- Allow the apples to marinate for at least 1-2 days for optimal flavor development.
- Sterilize jars properly to extend shelf life and maintain freshness.
- Adjust sugar quantity based on your taste preference and the sweetness of your apples.
- Store pickled apples in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks in an airtight container.
- Freezing pickled apples is not recommended as it affects texture.
- Serve pickled apples cold or at room temperature; reheating is unnecessary.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: pickled apples, apple pickles, tangy snacks, appetizer, easy pickles, spiced apples, vinegar preserved apples