About the Recipe
These zesty, flavorful carrots make a perfect side dish for any meal, or a colorful addition to BBQ, sandwiches, grain bowls, and salads.
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Ingredients
- 1 lb carrots (matchsticks)
- 1/4 cup avocado or olive oil
- 1/2 large onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp Plum Crazy, Apple Babcai, or Tongue Thai’d Vinegar
- 1 tsp smoked or sea salt
- 1/2 tbsp (1.5 tsp) sugar (3-4 Splenda packets)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- A pinch of cayenne pepper (for heat, adjust to taste)
- 1 clove garlic, freshly minced
- 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger (optional)
- Chopped green onions for garnish (optional)
30 minutes
1 pound (4-5 servings)
4+ hours
Easy
Preparation
1. Heat 1/2 cup of vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion to the oil and sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
3. While the onion cooks, slice the carrots into thin matchsticks using a mandolin for best results. Aim for pieces about 2-3 inches long.
4. Add the sliced carrots to the oil and onion mixture, frying until they're slightly golden but still retain some crunch, about 5-7 minutes.
5. In a large bowl, combine the vinegar, salt, sugar, smoked paprika, coriander, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
6. Add the freshly minced garlic and grated ginger (if using) to the bowl and mix well.
7. Strain the hot carrot-onion-oil mixture through a sieve into the bowl with the seasonings, discarding the onion bits if desired (though some prefer to keep them for extra flavor).
8. Mix everything together thoroughly, ensuring the carrots are well coated with the seasoned oil.
9. Pack the carrot mixture into clean glass jars with tight-fitting lids.
10. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight to allow the flavors to meld and develop.
11. Serve the Korean Carrots chilled, garnished with chopped green onions if desired.
Chef's Notes
- These pickled carrots will develop a better flavor and texture after they've chilled for several hours or overnight.
- The recipe yields about 1 pound of carrots, which can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- For a more authentic Korean flavor, the optional ginger adds a warming, aromatic quality that complements the other spices beautifully.