Print

Hot Honey Pickled Carrots Recipe

4.7 from 133 reviews

Hot Honey Pickled Carrots are a vibrant and tangy snack featuring crisp carrot sticks soaked in a sweet and spicy pickling brine made from apple cider vinegar, honey, and red pepper flakes. This easy recipe combines aromatic garlic and whole spices to create a flavorful addition perfect for salads, sandwiches, or as a zesty side.

Ingredients

Scale

Pickling Brine

  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed

Main Ingredient

  • 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into sticks

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pickling brine: In a saucepan, combine the apple cider vinegar, honey, red pepper flakes, salt, black peppercorns, and smashed garlic cloves. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it reaches a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld together.
  2. Add the carrots: Once the brine is simmering, add the peeled and cut carrot sticks to the saucepan. Stir well to ensure all the carrot pieces are thoroughly coated with the hot honey pickling mixture.
  3. Cool the mixture: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the carrots and liquid cool down for about 10 minutes. This helps temper the carrots and prevents them from becoming too soft.
  4. Transfer to container: Pour the carrots along with the pickling liquid into a clean jar or airtight container. Make sure the carrot sticks are fully submerged in the pickling brine for best results.
  5. Refrigerate and marinate: Refrigerate the jar for at least 24 hours before serving. This resting time allows the carrots to absorb the sweet, spicy, and tangy notes of the pickling liquid, resulting in a deliciously flavorful snack.

Notes

  • For a milder spice, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes or omit them entirely.
  • Use fresh, firm carrots for the best texture after pickling.
  • These pickled carrots can be stored refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
  • Experiment with additional spices like mustard seeds or fresh herbs for extra flavor complexity.

Keywords: hot honey pickled carrots, pickled carrots recipe, spicy pickled carrots, honey pickles, easy pickled vegetables, sweet and spicy pickled carrots