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A white plate with pickled cauliflower. A jar of pickled cauliflower and 2 forks in the background.
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4.62 from 21 votes

Pickled Cauliflower with Turmeric & Ginger

A sweet-spicy refrigerator pickled appetizer that everyone loves
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
refrigerator time2 days
Course: Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Diet: Lower Carb, Heart Healthy, Vegan
Servings: 8
Calories: 92kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 cups of cauliflower florets from 1 large or 2 small heads cauliflower
  • 3 2-inch pieces of ginger root
  • 4 2-inch pieces of turmeric root
  • 4 thai chilis (or more if you like more heat) or ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 cups white vinegar
  • 1 cups water
  • 3 large garlic cloves peeled and smashed
  • 1 tablespoon pickling or Kosher salt
  • cup sugar

Instructions

  • Trim the cauliflower into bite-sized florets (about 1 ½ inches), and discard the tough stems.
  • Peel the ginger and turmeric with a vegetable peeler, and slice them into thin, matchstick pieces.
  • Trim the stems off the chiles and slice them in half lengthwise. Leave the seeds and membranes in if you like more heat. Alternatively, cut the chiles into thin strips.
  • Place the vinegar, water, garlic, salt, and sugar in a large saucepan. Stir well so the salt and sugar are combined, and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the brine cool for about 10 minutes.
  • Place the ginger, turmeric, chilis, and cauliflower into the hot brine. Stir it and let it sit for 10 minutes or until you can insert a sharp knife into the cauliflower, but it's still firm.
  • Using a ladle or slotted spoon, transfer the vegetables to a glass bowl with a lid, or a gallon jar with a lid. Pour enough hot brine over the vegetables to submerge everything. Discard any extra brine.
  • Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. The vegetables should be ready to eat within 24-48 hours, but they taste better the longer they sit in the brine.

Notes

The cauliflower should be ready after 2 days, but the flavors will get even better the longer it sits.
If substituting red pepper flakes for the Thai chilis, add them to the pickling liquid along with the garlic. Do not remove the red pepper flakes - they should remain with the pickling liquid.
If you have trouble finding fresh turmeric or Thai chilis, check an Asian market.
The nutrition information includes all of the brine. You may not need all of it, and probably won't eat/drink the brine, so the carbs and sodium will be lower.

Nutrition

Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 454mg | Potassium: 175mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 18IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 0.5mg