If you love vibrant, tangy flavors packed into tiny bursts of juiciness, this Pickled Cherry Tomatoes Recipe is an absolute game changer. It takes the humble cherry tomato and transforms it into a flavorful, zesty delight that’s perfect for snacking, garnishing, or adding an exciting punch to your meals. With just a handful of simple ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll have a jar of pickled goodness that can brighten up any dish and keep your taste buds dancing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients may be straightforward, but each one plays a crucial role in balancing the perfect blend of sweet, sour, and savory in every bite of your pickled cherry tomatoes. They create layers of aroma, texture, and color that make this recipe so irresistible.
- Cherry tomatoes (2 cups): The star of the show, small and bursting with natural sweetness and juiciness.
- White vinegar (3/4 cup): Provides that essential tangy acidity for the pickling brine.
- Water (3/4 cup): Dilutes the vinegar just enough to balance sharpness.
- Sugar (2 tablespoons): Adds a gentle sweetness to balance the acidity perfectly.
- Sea salt (1 tablespoon): Enhances flavor and acts as a natural preservative.
- Garlic cloves (3, peeled and smashed): Bring depth and pungent aroma to the brine.
- Black peppercorns (1 teaspoon): Set off subtle warmth and spice.
- Red pepper flakes (1/2 teaspoon, optional): A little heat for adventurous palates.
- Mustard seeds (1 teaspoon): Create a subtle pop of sharp, earthy flavor.
- Fresh dill sprigs (2): Infuse a fresh, bright herbaceous note that complements the tomatoes.
- Bay leaf (1): Adds a delicate earthiness that rounds out the brine’s complexity.
How to Make Pickled Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Tomatoes
Start by washing and thoroughly drying the cherry tomatoes to remove any unwanted dirt or residue. Then, gently prick each tomato once with a toothpick or skewer. This little trick allows the pickling brine to seep inside and work its magic, maximizing every bite’s flavor.
Step 2: Pack Your Jar
Grab a clean glass jar and pack in the cherry tomatoes tightly but carefully so they don’t get crushed. As you layer the tomatoes, add smashed garlic cloves, black peppercorns, red pepper flakes, mustard seeds, fresh dill sprigs, and the bay leaf between layers. This ensures every bite gets a touch of these aromatic additions.
Step 3: Make the Brine
In a small saucepan, combine the white vinegar, water, sugar, and sea salt. Warm the mixture over medium heat until it just begins boiling, stirring gently so the sugar and salt dissolve completely. This hot brine will infuse the tomatoes with tangy, sweet, and salty flavor.
Step 4: Pour the Brine Over Tomatoes
Carefully pour the steaming hot brine over the tomatoes in the jar, making sure they are fully submerged. This is key to uniform pickling and preservation. Leave a bit of headspace at the top before sealing.
Step 5: Cool and Refrigerate
Let the jar cool to room temperature so that condensation doesn’t form inside. Once cooled, seal the jar tightly with a lid and place it in the refrigerator. This chilling step helps the flavors meld beautifully while keeping the tomatoes crisp.
Step 6: Wait and Enjoy
The magic happens after the wait—allow the tomatoes to pickle for at least 24 hours, but if you can give it 3 to 5 days, the tangy, herbaceous flavors deepen into something truly delightful. Always serve these chilled for the best experience!
How to Serve Pickled Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
Garnishes
These pickled tomatoes make gorgeous garnishes on fresh salads, cheese boards, and even cocktails. Their juicy burst and vibrant colors add a stunning and flavorful touch, especially when paired with creamy cheeses or fresh herbs.
Side Dishes
Serve pickled cherry tomatoes alongside grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or Mediterranean platters. They cut through rich, smoky flavors with their bright acidity and provide a refreshing counterpoint to hearty dishes.
Creative Ways to Present
Take your presentation up a notch by threading pickled cherry tomatoes onto skewers with fresh mozzarella and basil for a twist on caprese. Or use them as a tangy topping for avocado toast or homemade pizzas. Their pop of flavor and vibrant hue turns everyday dishes into something special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Pickled cherry tomatoes keep wonderfully in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Make sure they remain submerged in brine and are sealed tightly to maintain freshness, flavor, and crispness.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for these pickled tomatoes, as the texture will become mushy and lose the delightful snap you want in every bite.
Reheating
These are best enjoyed cold or at room temperature; reheating is not necessary since their tangy crunch is the main appeal. However, if you’d like to warm them slightly, briefly bring them to room temperature before serving.
FAQs
How long do I need to pickle the cherry tomatoes?
The minimum is 24 hours, but for peak flavor, 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator ensures the tomatoes absorb the brine and develop robust pickled notes.
Can I use other types of vinegar?
White vinegar provides a clean, bright acidity ideal for this recipe, but you could experiment with apple cider vinegar for a fruitier twist. Just keep the acidity strong enough for proper pickling.
Are the cherry tomatoes still crunchy after pickling?
Yes! Pricking the tomatoes before pickling helps the brine get inside without breaking down the skin too much, so they stay delightfully firm and juicy.
Can I omit the red pepper flakes if I don’t like spicy food?
Absolutely. The red pepper flakes are completely optional and add only a gentle heat. Leaving them out will result in a milder but still delicious pickled tomato.
What can I serve with Pickled Cherry Tomatoes Recipe?
They pair beautifully with cheese boards, charcuterie, grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and fresh greens, adding a zesty burst that brightens any plate.
Final Thoughts
This Pickled Cherry Tomatoes Recipe is such a joy to make and enjoy, transforming simple tomatoes into a vibrant, delicious treat that elevates whatever you serve them with. It’s an easy, rewarding way to add fresh, tangy flavor to your kitchen repertoire. I wholeheartedly encourage you to try this recipe—you’ll wonder how you ever enjoyed cherry tomatoes without pickling them first!
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Pickled Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes (plus 1-5 days pickling time)
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in the tangy and flavorful Pickled Cherry Tomatoes, a quick and easy recipe perfect for adding a burst of brightness to your meals. These cherry tomatoes are pricked to absorb a zesty brine made with vinegar, sugar, garlic, and a blend of spices, then refrigerated to develop their delicious pickled taste within a day or two.
Ingredients
Pickling Ingredients
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 3/4 cup white vinegar
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 2 sprigs fresh dill
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Prepare the Tomatoes: Wash and dry the cherry tomatoes thoroughly. Using a toothpick or a skewer, prick each tomato once to allow the pickling brine to penetrate effectively.
- Layer Ingredients in Jar: Pack the pricked tomatoes into a clean glass jar. Layer in the garlic cloves, black peppercorns, red pepper flakes (if using), mustard seeds, fresh dill sprigs, and the bay leaf evenly among the tomatoes.
- Make the Pickling Brine: In a small saucepan, combine white vinegar, water, sugar, and sea salt. Heat over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring continuously until the sugar and salt dissolve completely.
- Pour Brine Over Tomatoes: Carefully pour the hot brine over the tomatoes and herbs in the jar, ensuring the tomatoes are fully submerged to promote even pickling.
- Cool and Refrigerate: Allow the jar to cool to room temperature before sealing it with a lid. Place the jar in the refrigerator to chill.
- Pickling Time: Let the tomatoes pickle for at least 24 hours for a mild flavor. For optimal taste, allow them to sit for 3 to 5 days before enjoying chilled as a vibrant, tangy snack or accompaniment.
Notes
- Pricking the tomatoes helps the brine penetrate better, enhancing the flavor infusion.
- Use a clean, sterilized jar to ensure safety and prolong shelf life.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to your heat preference or omit if you prefer no spice.
- The pickled cherry tomatoes keep well refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
- Delicious as a topping for salads, sandwiches, or charcuterie boards.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
