Pickling vegetables, almost any vegetable, is a simple process, and pickling asparagus is no exception. A jar or two for the fridge can be made in literally minutes, no “canning” or “processing” required. If you can boil water, you can make these fantastic jars of Easy Refrigerator Pickled Asparagus. It’s that simple.
Easy Refrigerator Pickled Asparagus
A few weeks ago I made my Overnight Bloody Marys, an extravaganza to be sure. So many of the specialty products were pricey, but the pickled asparagus was the worst! It was close to six bucks for a six-ounce jar. When you take a few minutes to make your own, especially if you have a well-stocked spice cupboard, the cost for this Easy Refrigerator Pickled Asparagus (above the asparagus itself) is just pennies.
About Easy Refrigerator Pickled Asparagus:
I love the flavors of these Easy Refrigerator Pickled Asparagus. There are some of the standard pickling spices that are just dropped in each jar before they’re filled and topped off with brine. I chose these particular spices because they’re ones that are flavorful enough to stand up to the asparagus and come forward with just a short soak in the brine. I think they look pretty, too, in the jars and these make fantastic little gifts. Maybe a hostess gift? Just make sure the recipient knows that they’re to be kept in the fridge.
If you’d like to try this with a standard pickling spice, you can use a store-bought one or mix up one of your own. I have a Homemade Pickling Spice right on my site you can use as is or for inspiration. I’d use a little more than 1/4 teaspoon per jar, but try to get a little of all the spices in each jar.
Homemade Pickling Spice
Making Easy Refrigerator Pickled Asparagus:
If you’re not familiar with refrigerator pickles, and the difference between “putting up” or canning pickles for storage, let me clear it up: A refrigerator pickle is made to keep in the refrigerator, and will keep well for several weeks with no problem due to the high amount of vinegar and the refrigeration.
Vegetables made into pickles that are “canned” or “processed” and meant to be stored in the cupboard need more care. There will be an exact recipe to moderate the PH level, sterilized jars, and they need to be processed, usually in a hot water bath. Recipes are usually large so cooks can maximize their time and maybe even preserve a harvest.
While refrigerator pickles are best if they have time to marinate in the liquid, at least an hour, and preferably a day or two, they just take a few minutes to make. Even if you’re thinking about a big canning project, a couple of jars of refrigerator pickles are a great way to “test” a recipe if you scale it down. Since refrigerator pickles are so easy and quick and can be made in small amounts, they can be whipped up any old-time. Think about refrigerator pickles if you have leftover vegetables as a way to “rework” them. Cauliflower, carrots, pearl onions, and green beans are great candidates for this strategy!
Bloody Mary – Overnight
Saving Money on Easy Refrigerator Pickled Asparagus:
These are “specialty” Asparagus pickles – I used the tops only and it made just about two small jars. The bottoms didn’t go to waste – they went into my Asparagus Frittata, but could also be added to a soup (combine with spring peas, maybe, in a cream soup), go into a stir-fry or some other recipe. See my 25 Ways to Use Leftover Asparagus for inspiration. Links are at the bottom of the page.
Shop well for your asparagus. It’s never a cheap veggie. Asparagus is in season in the Spring, but may just be at a better price right before a holiday, especially the spring holidays, Easter, Mother’s Day and even Memorial Day. As a matter of fact, if you buy too much asparagus, these simple pickles will save it.
Vinegar of all kinds are going to be at a low around Easter, even the specialty vinegar, and is often not advertised as a sale. Check for it and if you make your own salad dressings, stock up because you’ll want several different kinds of vinegar on hand.
Easy Refrigerator Pickled Asparagus
Easy Refrigerator Pickled Asparagus
A super easy specialty Pickled Asparagus.
- Total Time: 15 minutes + rest
- Yield: 2 small jars 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pound of Asparagus, washed, trimmed to fit in jar with about 1/2 an inch of space at the top, ends reserved for another use
- a pinch of black or mixed peppercorns (in each jar)
- a pinch mustard seeds (in each jar)
- a pinch of coriander seeds (in each jar)
- a pinch red pepper flakes (in each jar)
- 4 allspice berries (two in each jar)
- 4 whole cloves (two in each jar)
- White vinegar (about 2/3 cup)
- Water (about 2/3 cup)
Instructions
Bring a pan large enough to hold the asparagus without bending, with several inches of water to a boil. Blanch asparagus and simmer to desired degree of tenderness. Immediately plunge into cold water to preserve color. Drain. Take a little care to keep the asparagus tips aligned and in one direction, so they’re easy to add to the jar, tips up.
To each jar, add the spices, then the asparagus. In the meantime, in a small pan, bring a mixture of vinegar and water to a boil. Pour over the asparagus in the jar. Add lids and tighten, then turn upside down to distribute spices. Refrigerate after the jar is cool.
Keeps well for several weeks in the fridge.
Notes
If you’d like, add a bit of honey or sugar to the water/vinegar mixture.
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