This quick pickled fennel is the perfect zesty crunch to add to salads, elevate sandwiches, and more. All you need are a few simple ingredients.
I just ate the best salad of my life featuring these quick pickled fennel.
The fennel's natural sweetness is highlighted by the vinegar, creating a perfect balance of tanginess and freshness. Its vibrant texture and zesty taste add a delightful twist to NEARLY anything it's paired with.
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Quick Pickled Fennel ingredients
The ingredients are simple—yet give the fennel loads of flavor.
- Fennel. Aim for one small to medium fennel bulb weighing equal to or less than ½ a pound.
- Vinegar. White distilled or rice vinegar will work.
- Pure maple syrup. To balance the acidity.
- Garlic. For flavor.
- Mustard seeds. For the pickled taste and aroma.
- Orange zest. For a pop of zest.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Quick Pickled Fennel
To wilt the fennel and create a nice pickled taste while maintaining crunch, simply warm the vinegar with the spices before adding it to the fennel.
- To slice the fennel, remove the stalks and fronds. Cut the bulb in half vertically, then slice it into thin pieces.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, add the vinegar, spices, orange zest, and pure maple syrup. Stir to combine ingredients and warm the spices for 3 minutes.
- Turn off the heat. Add the fennel. Generously toss the fennel in the vinegar.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat. Cover the saucepan with a lid and allow the fennel to steep for 30 minutes.
Tip: when transferring the pickled fennel to a jar, add and press the fennel to the bottom until filled.
Pour the warm vinegar into the jar. Cover with a lid and place it in the refrigerator for at least an hour to chill.
Recipe Variations
Here are a few recipe variations to make this recipe more exciting.
- Spicy - add chili pepper flaked or thin-sliced jalapeno for heat.
- Onion - add thin-sliced red onion for more flavor. Keep in mind you'll need to double the vinegar solution in that case.
- Herbs- add fresh or dried dill for that classic pickled taste.
Equipment
All the equipment needed to make this quick pickled fennel is a jar with a lid and a small saucepan.
How to Store
Store the fennel in a jar with a lid and place it in the fridge for up to 4 weeks. The fennel will soften over time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick pickled fennel is a delicious condiment made by adding fennel bulbs in a brine solution. There's no traditional pickling process, therefore is not shelf-stable.
The natural flavors of fennel add a tangy, slightly sweet taste to the vegetable. It can be used as a topping for sandwiches, and salads, or even enjoyed on its own as a flavorful snack.
Pickled fennel has a unique flavor profile that combines the natural sweetness of fennel with the tanginess of the vinegar. It offers a crisp texture and a refreshing taste, with hints of anise and a subtle pickled flavor that enhances its overall appeal.
Use pickled fennel in a variety of ways to enhance the flavor of your dishes. It can be added to salads, and sandwiches, or even used as a topping for grilled meats or fish.
Additionally, you can also use pickled fennel as a condiment or garnish to add a tangy and refreshing element to your meals.
Quick Pickled Fennel Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 8 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
Description
This recipe for quick pickled fennel is perfect for adding a zesty crunch to salads, sandwiches, and more, with just a few simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup distilled white vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 3 inch orange zest
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon mustard seeds (black or yellow mustard seeds)
- 1 small fennel bulb, stalks discarded, bulb halved, cored, and sliced thin.
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over low heat, add the vinegar, water, maple syrup, orange zest, garlic, and mustard seeds. Stir to combine ingredients.
- Steep the brine for 3 minutes.
- Turn off the heat. Add the fennel and give it a generous toss in the brine solution. Cover the saucepan with a lid and steep for 20 minutes.
- Pack pickled fennel into a jar and add brine. Chill for 1 hour before serving.
- Add pieces of the fennel fronds into the jar for decoration (optional).
Notes
Store the fennel in a jar with a lid and place it in the fridge for up to 4 weeks. The fennel will soften over time.
Quick pickled fennel is a delicious condiment made by adding fennel bulbs in a brine solution. There's no traditional pickling process, therefore is not shelf-stable.
The natural flavors of fennel add a tangy, slightly sweet taste to the vegetable. It can be used as a topping for sandwiches, and salads, or even enjoyed on its own as a flavorful snack.
Pickled fennel has a unique flavor profile that combines the natural sweetness of fennel with the tanginess of the vinegar. It offers a crisp texture and a refreshing taste, with hints of anise and a subtle pickled flavor that enhances its overall appeal.
Use pickled fennel in a variety of ways to enhance the flavor of your dishes. It can be added to salads, and sandwiches, or even used as a topping for grilled meats or fish.
Additionally, you can also use pickled fennel as a condiment or garnish to add a tangy and refreshing element to your meals.
The following recipe has been inspired by "America's Test Kitchen: The Complete Salad Cookbook".
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Cuisine: American
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Tammy says
Hey guys, add this pickled fennel to your hot dogs. It’s so delicious!