Here’s everything you’ll need to make this bold and fiery pickled garlic and what each ingredient contributes.

• 2 cups fresh garlic cloves, peeled — The star of the recipe. The cloves absorb the spicy vinegar brine while developing a tangy, less sharply raw garlic flavor.
• 1 cup white vinegar — Creates the acidic, tangy foundation of the pickling brine.
• 1 cup water — Balances the acidity of the vinegar and creates a smoother brine.
• 1 tbsp kosher salt or pickling salt — Seasons the garlic and enhances the other flavors in the jar.
• 1 tbsp sugar — Adds a small amount of sweetness to balance the vinegar and intense chili heat.
• 1 ½ tsp cayenne pepper — The primary source of fiery heat and the defining spice in this recipe.
• 1 tbsp hot sauce — Adds another layer of tangy chili flavor throughout the brine.
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes — Provides additional heat and visible flecks of chili throughout the jar.
• 1 tsp black peppercorns — Adds subtle peppery warmth and classic pickling flavor.
• 1 tsp mustard seeds — Contributes a lightly sharp, earthy flavor that complements the garlic and vinegar.
• ½ tsp smoked paprika — Adds warm, smoky depth without overpowering the cayenne.
• 2 dried red chili peppers — Intensify the chili flavor and give the jar an extra fiery finish.