Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh garlic cloves, peeled — The star of the recipe. Choose firm, fresh cloves without soft or spoiled areas.
- 1 cup white vinegar — Creates the sharp, tangy foundation of the refrigerator-pickling brine.
- 1 cup water — Dilutes the vinegar and balances the brine.
- 1 tablespoon pickling salt or kosher salt — Seasons both the garlic and peppers.
- 1 tablespoon sugar — Softens the sharpness of the vinegar and rounds out the chile heat.
- ½ cup fresh hot peppers, thinly sliced — Bring fresh chile flavor and plenty of heat. The exact intensity depends heavily on the peppers you choose.
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce — Adds another layer of chile flavor to the brine.
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes — Provide lingering heat throughout the jar.
- ½ teaspoon black peppercorns — Add subtle peppery warmth.
- ½ teaspoon mustard seeds — Bring classic pickling-spice character.
- 2 small dried chili peppers — Slowly infuse the brine with additional heat as the jar rests.
- 1 bay leaf — Adds subtle herbal depth.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Garlic
Peel enough fresh garlic cloves to measure approximately 2 cups.
Inspect the cloves and discard any that are damaged, soft, moldy, or otherwise spoiled.
Place the prepared cloves into a clean glass jar.
Step 2: Prepare the Hot Peppers
Thinly slice your fresh hot peppers until you have approximately ½ cup.
Add them to the jar with the garlic.
When working with particularly hot chile varieties, consider wearing food-safe gloves and avoid touching your eyes or face. Wash your hands, knife, cutting board, and other surfaces thoroughly afterward.
Step 3: Add the Spices
Add the following directly to the jar:
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon black peppercorns
- ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
- 2 small dried chili peppers
- 1 bay leaf
Distribute the ingredients around the garlic and fresh peppers.
Step 4: Prepare the Pickling Brine
In a small saucepan, combine:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon pickling or kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
Place over medium heat.
Step 5: Dissolve the Salt and Sugar
Warm the mixture while stirring until the salt and sugar have completely dissolved.
You don’t need to aggressively boil the brine. Gentle heating is sufficient.
Step 6: Pour the Brine Into the Jar
Carefully pour the warm brine over the garlic, peppers, and spices.
Make sure the garlic and peppers are completely covered by the liquid.
Step 7: Cool and Refrigerate
Allow the jar to cool before refrigerating.
Once cooled, close it securely with a clean lid and transfer it to the refrigerator.
Step 8: Let the Garlic Pickle
Allow the garlic to pickle for at least 3 days before tasting.
For deeper flavor and a stronger combination of garlic and pepper, allow approximately 1 week.
Keep the garlic and peppers submerged in the brine throughout refrigeration.
Step 9: Serve
Use a clean utensil to remove the amount you need.
Serve the cloves whole as a spicy snack or chop the garlic and peppers before adding them to your favorite dishes.