Vietnamese Vegetable Pickle Medley (Printable version)

Quick-pickled vegetables bursting with sweet, tangy, and savory Vietnamese flavors. Perfect crunchy side or garnish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium daikon radish (about 10.5 oz), peeled and julienned
02 - 2 medium carrots (about 7 oz), peeled and julienned
03 - 1 small cucumber (about 5.25 oz), deseeded and julienned
04 - 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
05 - 2-3 mild red chilies, thinly sliced (optional)

→ Pickling Brine

06 - 1 cup rice vinegar
07 - 1 cup water
08 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
09 - 1 tablespoon kosher salt

→ Optional 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, and let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly under cold water and drain well.
02 - In a small saucepan, combine rice vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar and salt are completely dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
03 - Layer the vegetables, chilies if using, garlic, and peppercorns into a clean 1-quart glass jar or container, packing them tightly.
04 - Pour the cooled brine over the vegetables, ensuring they are completely submerged. Seal the jar tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. For optimal flavor development, marinate overnight. Store refrigerated and consume within 2 weeks.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • These pickles transform ordinary meals into something special with their bright crunch and tangy sweetness
  • They come together quickly but keep for weeks, making them perfect for meal prep or unexpected guests
02 -
  • Never use hot brine on your vegetables or they will become limp and sad instead of maintaining their satisfying crunch
  • These pickles continue developing flavor over several days, so taste them at different stages to find your sweet spot
03 -
  • A mandoline creates perfectly uniform vegetables, but hand cut pieces have more character and cook just as well
  • The pre salting step is worth the extra time if you plan to store these for more than a few days

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