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Quick Pickled Fennel Recipe

Quick Pickled Fennel

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5 from 2 reviews

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

Scale
  • 3/4 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • 1 3 inch orange zest
  • 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds (black or yellow mustard seeds)
  • 1 small fennel bulb, stalks discarded, bulb halved, cored, and sliced thin.

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan over low heat, add the vinegar, water, maple syrup, orange zest, garlic, and mustard seeds. Stir to combine ingredients.
  2. Steep the brine for 3 minutes.
  3. 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.
  4. Pack pickled fennel into a jar and add brine. Chill for 1 hour before serving.
  5. Add pieces of the fennel fronds into the jar for decoration (optional).

Notes

 
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.

What is quick pickled fennel?

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.

What does pickled fennel taste like?

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.

What to do with quick pickled fennel

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".