If you want the flavor of pickles without waiting weeks to enjoy them, quick pickle recipes are the answer. These no-fuss pickles are made by soaking vegetables or fruits in a simple brine, often using vinegar, salt, sugar, and spices. Unlike fermented pickles, they don’t need time to cure—just refrigerate and eat in hours.
Whether you’re preparing lunch, packing a tiffin, or elevating your evening meal, quick pickles bring instant flavor to the plate. You can use this method to recreate favorites like onion pickle, mango achar, or even amla pickle—without the long wait.
Why Are Pickles So High in Salt?
But it comes at a cost. A single serving of store-bought pickles can contain over 800 mg of sodium, making it problematic for those needing pickles for high blood pressure or a low salt diet. That’s why alternatives and modifications are becoming more popular.
What Are Quick Pickles?
- Require no fermentation
- Can be eaten within hours or overnight
- Use vinegar-based brine instead of saltwater-only solutions
Essential Ingredients for Quick Pickling
- Vegetables or fruits: cucumber, onions, carrots, amla, garlic, raw mango
- Vinegar: white, apple cider, or rice vinegar works best
- Salt and sugar: to balance flavor and help preservation
- Spices: mustard seeds, garlic, turmeric, red chili, and fenugreek
How to Make a Basic Quick Pickle Brine
- 1 cup vinegar for pickling (white or apple cider)
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
You’ve just made a classic easy pickle recipe that’s ready to eat in hours.
Top 5 Quick Pickle Recipes You Can Try Today
Here are 5 delicious quick pickle recipes you can prepare in under 30 minutes:
1. Quick Mango Pickle
Skip the long sun-drying process. Cut raw mango into small cubes, toss with salt, mustard seeds, and chili powder. Pour hot mustard oil over it and let it sit for a few hours. If you’re looking to order instead, check the best mango pickle or mango pickle online for ready-to-eat options.
2. Quick Garlic Pickles
Peel garlic cloves, lightly crush them, and soak in vinegar with chili powder, turmeric, and fenugreek. This is a shortcut version of traditional garlic achar. For convenience, garlic pickle online options also offer instant taste.
3. Amla Pickle (Gooseberry)
4. Lime Pickle (Indian Style)
Cut limes into wedges, mix with salt, red chili powder, and mustard seeds. Add hot oil or vinegar. Let it sit overnight. This style mimics classic lime pickle Indian recipes without the weeks-long curing. Want to skip prep? Many lime pickle recipes are now available in ready-made jars.
5. Tomato Pickle
Quick Pickling Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping sterilization: Always use clean, dry jars
- Wrong vinegar ratio: Ensure enough acidity for safety
- Using iodized salt: Use pickling or rock salt instead
- Overcooking vegetables: Keep them crisp by blanching briefly, if at all
If you’re new to pickling, try organic pickles from trusted sources as inspiration. These often use simple, preservative-free methods.
Conclusion
Whether you’re recreating the flavors of your grandmother’s onion pickle, trying a shortcut garlic achar, or experimenting with a tangy lime pickle recipe, quick pickles bring taste, health, and convenience to your table.
Key Takeaways
- Quick pickle recipes are vinegar-based and ready in hours.
- You need vinegar, water, salt, sugar, and your choice of spices.
- Try mango, garlic, amla, lime, or tomato as your base.
- Store them refrigerated and consume within a week or two.
- Ready-made options like mango pickle online or garlic pickle online also offer convenience without compromise.
