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pickled apples in a jar with cinnamon sticks and star anise

Quick Pickled Apples

Kristina Todini, RDN
Quick Pickled Apples, an easy refrigerator pickled apples recipe with an apple cider vinegar brine. A tasty way to preserve the apple harvest!
5 stars (3 ratings)
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Cooling and Pickling Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Course Appetizers + Platters
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 93 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 sauce pan
  • 1 medium jar

Ingredients
  

  • 2 medium apples gala, honey crisp, etc.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 whole cinnamon stick
  • 2 whole star anise
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or granulated sugar

Instructions
 

  • Prep the apples: Wash apples and remove the stems. Then each apple on its side and cut into round slices, core and all, and remove seeds. Alternatively you can also use an apple coring tool and then slice. Set apple rounds aside.
  • Prepare the pickling jar: Add apples, vanilla extract, cinnamon stick, and star anise in a jar (see notes for jar recommendations).
  • Prepare and add the brine: In a medium saucepan bring the water, apple cider vinegar, salt, and maple syrup or sugar to a boil until the sugar is dissolved. Then pour the brine into the jar with the apples until the apples are covered.
  • Pickling instructions: Let the jar cool on the counter until it reaches room temperature. Once cooled, put the jar into the refrigerator and let the apples pickle for at least 2 hours before serving, but for best results serve after at least 24 hours. Pickled apples are good up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar and white wine vinegars are the best vinegar choices for this recipe, but most any vinegars will work.
  • Recommended jar: Choose a large and wide jar with about 1/2 - 1 inch space (2-3 cm) below the lid.
  • Other recommended tools: small saucepan, cutting board, knife set
  • Prep ahead and storage: Apples should be pickled at least 2 hours before serving, but for best results make at least 24-48 hours ahead. Keep the jar refrigerated and it can be enjoyed for up to two weeks. Do not freeze.
  • Nutrition notes: Nutrition information is calculated with all brine ingredients (including full amount of sugar, salt, etc.), however the apples don’t absorb all of the liquid so the actual nutrition information is less than listed here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 93kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 0.4gFat: 0.3gSaturated Fat: 0.04gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 591mgPotassium: 178mgFiber: 3gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 52IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 0.4mg
Keyword quick pickled apples
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