Add bold flavor and a spicy kick to your pantry with this easy homemade Spicy Pickled Garlic. These zesty cloves are simmered in a fiery brine of vinegar, red pepper flakes, and aromatic spices, perfect for snacking, charcuterie boards, or elevating your favorite dishes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the white vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until fully dissolved.
- Add garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, black peppercorns, mustard seeds, and bay leaf. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Transfer garlic and brine into a clean, sterilized jar, ensuring garlic is fully submerged. Seal tightly.
- Let sit at room temperature for 1–2 days, then refrigerate. Garlic is ready to enjoy after 1 week and keeps in the fridge for up to 3 months.
Variations
- Smoky Pickled Garlic: Add 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika or a dried chipotle pepper to the brine for a rich, smoky twist. This adds complexity and a mellow heat that pairs well with grilled meats or southwestern dishes.
- Herb-Infused Garlic: Toss in a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme along with the bay leaf. The fresh herbs infuse the brine with earthy aromatics, giving the garlic a subtle Mediterranean flair.
- Sweet Heat Version: Increase the sugar to 2 tablespoons and add a few slices of fresh ginger. The extra sweetness balances the spice beautifully, especially if you’re planning to use the garlic on cheese boards or in Asian-inspired dishes.
Cooking Notes
- Use Fresh, Firm Garlic: Older garlic can become bitter or mushy when pickled. Choose firm, unblemished cloves for the best texture and flavor.
- Avoid Aluminum Cookware: Use stainless steel or non-reactive pans when making your brine. Vinegar can react with aluminum, giving your pickles a metallic taste.
- Cool Before Sealing: Let the garlic and brine cool slightly before sealing the jar. Sealing while piping hot can create pressure changes that may affect texture or even cause leakage.
Serving Suggestions
- Charcuterie Boards: These spicy pickled cloves make a bold addition to any cheese or meat board. Their zippy punch cuts through rich cheeses and cured meats like a dream.
- Tossed in Salads: Chop and toss into green or pasta salads for a bright, garlicky hit that livens up milder ingredients like cucumber, tomato, or leafy greens.
- Bloody Mary Garnish: Skewer a few pickled garlic cloves on a cocktail pick for a bold, briny garnish that adds a fiery twist to your favorite brunch drink.
Tips
- Sterilize Your Jar Properly: Before storing your garlic, make sure your jar is fully sterilized, either by boiling it for 10 minutes or running it through a hot dishwasher cycle. This ensures your pickles stay fresh and safe.
- Let It Sit Before Eating: While the garlic is technically safe after a few days, letting it rest for at least a week deepens the flavor and mellows the raw garlic bite.
- Label and Date Your Jar: Always add a label with the prep date. Since these keep in the fridge for up to 3 months, it helps you track freshness and reminds you when it’s time to make another batch.
Prep Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 15 kcal
- Protein: 0.5g
- Sodium: 220mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use pre-peeled garlic from the store?
Yes, you can use store-bought pre-peeled garlic, but make sure it’s fresh and free of preservatives. Older cloves may have a stronger, sometimes unpleasant flavor when pickled. - How long does pickled garlic last in the fridge?
If stored in a clean, airtight, sterilized jar and kept refrigerated, your pickled garlic will stay fresh for up to 3 months. Always use a clean utensil when scooping out cloves to prevent contamination. - Why does my garlic turn blue or green? Is it still safe to eat?
Yes! It’s a harmless natural reaction between sulfur compounds in garlic and trace amounts of acid or minerals. It may look unusual, but the garlic is perfectly safe to eat. - Can I make this less spicy?
Absolutely. Just reduce or omit the red pepper flakes. The other spices will still give the garlic tons of flavor without the heat.
Conclusion
Spicy Pickled Garlic is your go-to recipe for bold, tangy, and fiery flavor in every bite. Whether you’re jazzing up a charcuterie board, adding zing to a salad, or just snacking straight from the jar (no judgment!), this easy recipe brings the heat and the flavor with minimal effort. Simple to make, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to wake up your taste buds, it’s time to get pickling!
Print
Spicy Pickled Garlic
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Add bold flavor and a spicy kick to your pantry with this easy homemade Spicy Pickled Garlic. These zesty cloves are simmered in a fiery brine of vinegar, red pepper flakes, and aromatic spices, perfect for snacking, charcuterie boards, or elevating your favorite dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the white vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until fully dissolved.
- Add garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, black peppercorns, mustard seeds, and bay leaf. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Transfer garlic and brine into a clean, sterilized jar, ensuring garlic is fully submerged. Seal tightly.
- Let sit at room temperature for 1–2 days, then refrigerate. Garlic is ready to enjoy after 1 week and keeps in the fridge for up to 3 months.
Notes
- For milder garlic, blanch cloves in boiling water for 1 minute before pickling.
- Add sliced jalapeño or a dash of smoked paprika for even more flavor.
- Always use a clean utensil to remove garlic from the jar to prevent spoilage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Condiment / Snack
- Method: Pickling / Stovetop
- Cuisine: American / Global Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~1.5 tablespoons (about 2–3 cloves)
- Calories: 15 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: pickled garlic, spicy garlic, homemade pickles, garlic snack, preserved garlic