🥒 Mediterranean Quick Pickled Vegetables (Jar Pickles)
🌿 Description
These Mediterranean quick pickled vegetables are crisp, tangy, and bursting with fresh flavor. Made with cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, onion, fresh dill, and warm spices, they’re lightly pickled in a bright vinegar-olive oil brine. No canning required—just mix, chill, and enjoy. Perfect as a healthy snack, mezze side, or sandwich topping.
🛒 Ingredients
Vegetables:
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3 cups cucumbers, thinly sliced
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1 cup carrots, sliced or julienned
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1 red or yellow bell pepper, sliced
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½ small onion, thinly sliced
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2–3 fresh dill sprigs
Pickling brine:
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1 cup white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
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1 cup water
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1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
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1½ tbsp sea salt
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1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
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1 tsp mustard seeds
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½ tsp black peppercorns
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2 garlic cloves, sliced
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½ tsp coriander seeds (optional)
🥣 Instructions
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Prepare the jars
Pack cucumbers, carrots, peppers, onion, and dill tightly into clean glass jars. -
Make the brine
In a saucepan, combine vinegar, water, salt, honey (if using), garlic, and spices.
Bring just to a simmer, stirring until salt dissolves. Remove from heat and stir in olive oil. -
Pour & cool
Carefully pour warm brine over vegetables, fully submerging them. -
Chill
Let cool to room temperature, seal jars, and refrigerate at least 12–24 hours. -
Serve
Enjoy chilled—flavor improves over 2–3 days.
✨ Tips & Variations
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Add lemon peel or bay leaf for extra Mediterranean aroma
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Make it spicy with red chili flakes or sliced jalapeño
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Swap vinegar for red wine vinegar for deeper flavor
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Add olives or fennel slices for a mezze-style twist
❓ Q & A
Q: Are these traditional pickles?
A: They’re Mediterranean-inspired quick pickles, not fermented or canned—fresh, light, and crisp.
Q: How long do they last?
A: Up to 2 weeks refrigerated in sealed jars.
Q: Do I need to boil the jars?
A: No. These are refrigerator pickles, not shelf-stable.
Q: Are they healthy?
A: Yes! Low-calorie, rich in fiber, antioxidants, and Mediterranean-friendly ingredients.
Q: What can I serve them with?
A: Grilled meats, fish, wraps, falafel, hummus plates, sandwiches, or straight from the jar 😄
