Vietnamese Vegetable Pickle Medley (Printable)
Quick-pickled vegetables with sweet, tangy Vietnamese flavors. Great for sandwiches, bowls, or sides.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 medium daikon radish (about 10.5 ounces), peeled and julienned
02 - 2 medium carrots (about 7 ounces), peeled and julienned
03 - 1 small cucumber (about 5.25 ounces), deseeded and julienned
04 - 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
05 - 2-3 mild red chilies, thinly sliced
→ Pickling Brine
06 - 1 cup rice vinegar
07 - 1 cup water
08 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
09 - 1 tablespoon kosher salt
→ Flavorings
10 - 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
11 - 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
# How to Make It:
01 - Place the daikon, carrots, cucumber, and bell pepper in a large bowl. For extra crispiness, sprinkle 1 tablespoon salt over the vegetables, toss thoroughly, and let stand for 15 minutes. Rinse under cold running water and drain completely.
02 - In a small saucepan, combine rice vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar and salt dissolve completely. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
03 - Layer the vegetables, chilies, garlic, and peppercorns into a clean 1-quart glass jar or container, packing tightly to maximize capacity.
04 - Pour the cooled brine over the vegetables, ensuring they are completely submerged. Seal the jar tightly with the lid.
05 - Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. For optimal flavor development, marinate overnight. Store refrigerated and consume within 2 weeks.
# Expert Hacks:
01 -
- The pickling liquid works double duty as a bright salad dressing once the vegetables are gone
- These keep for weeks in the fridge, getting better with each passing day
02 -
- Never skip cooling the brine completely, or your vegetables will turn sad and soggy instead of staying crisp
- These pickles need at least 24 hours to develop their signature sweet-tangy balance, but patience pays off
03 -
- Cut vegetables uniformly so they pickle at the same rate for consistent texture throughout
- A mandoline makes quick work of julienning but watch your fingers, the blade is unforgiving