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4.6 from 15 votes

Chinese Pickled Cabbage (A Quick Pickle Recipe)

Make crunchy Chinese pickled cabbage with this quick pickle recipe. It is so easy to prepare, and the result is a well-balanced crisp sweet and sour pickle just like the appetizer you’d get at a Chinese restaurant. {Vegan, Gluten-Free}

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Additional Time
3 d
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 32 kcal
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

Pickling mix
  • 1 1/2 cups rice vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cloves garlic , smashed
  • 4 red chili peppers more if desired (Optional)
  • 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns (Optional)
Prep
  • 1 lbs (450 g) cabbage (about half of a small head of cabbage)
  • 1 large carrot , peeled
  • 2 tablespoons salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine the rice vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and chili peppers in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until it reaches a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved. Use a clean spoon to taste the pickling liquid to see if it has the desired spice level. You can simmer it for a bit longer if you want the liquid to taste spicier. Once done, set aside and allow to cool.
  2. Meanwhile, prepare the veggies. Cut out the cabbage core and discard it. Tear the leaves into bite-size pieces. Cut the carrot into 1/4” (1/2 cm) thick half-moon shaped slices.
  3. Combine the cabbage, carrots, and 2 tablespoons of salt in a big bowl. Toss it with your hands so the veggies are coated with salt. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, up to 1 hour (no more than an hour).
  4. Drain and discard the salted water released by the veggies. Rinse the veggies with tap water twice. Drain thoroughly, and squeeze out the excess water from the veggies. Transfer them into a large container (or a jar).
  5. Add the crushed garlic and Sichuan peppercorns (if using) into the same container.
  6. Add the cooled pickling liquid. Press the veggies so they are submerged in the liquid. It is fine if a small fraction of the veggies are poking out from the liquid (because the veggies will shrink over time and become submerged). Seal the container and allow to pickle for 3 days in the fridge.
  7. The pickles will start to taste good after 1 day, but the sourness will come through at day 3. Make sure to use clean chopsticks (or flatware) to pick out the pickles every time you serve them. They will stay good in the fridge for 2 to 3 weeks.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 32kcal (2%) Carbohydrates 7.6g (3%) Protein 0.9g (2%) Fat 0.1g (0%) Sodium 91mg (4%) Potassium 134mg (4%) Fiber 1.7g (7%) Sugar 5.3g (11%) Calcium 28mg (3%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 32

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 32kcal 2%
Carbohydrates 7.6g 3%
Protein 0.9g 2%
Fat 0.1g 0%
Sodium 91mg 4%
Potassium 134mg 3%
Fiber 1.7g 7%
Sugar 5.3g 11%
Calcium 28mg 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.