Chili pickled garlic is one of those small-batch recipes that delivers far more than you expect from such simple ingredients. Whole garlic cloves soak up a bright, tangy brine while red pepper flakes add just enough warmth to keep things interesting. The result is sharp, savory, and lightly spicy, with garlic flavor that stays bold without becoming harsh.
These cloves are incredibly versatile. They work beautifully tucked into recipes when you want a subtle kick, and they shine just as well served on their own as part of a tapas spread or snack board. A few cloves alongside cheese, olives, or cured meats can instantly elevate the table.
🌶️ Quick Recipe Snapshot
| Flavor Profile | Tangy, garlicky, lightly spicy, aromatic |
| Primary Heat Source | Crushed red pepper flakes |
| Heat Level | Mild |
| Texture | Firm but tender pickled cloves |
| Best Uses | Tapas, salads, sauces, cooking ingredient |
| Customization Ideas | Adjust heat, add herbs, mellow acidity |
Flavor Notes
Pickling softens garlic’s sharp edge while preserving its savory backbone. The vinegar brings brightness, the mustard seeds add gentle crunch and visual appeal, and the red pepper flakes introduce a slow-building warmth that lingers without overpowering the clove itself.
Because the heat level is restrained, these pickled cloves complement dishes rather than dominate them. You get garlic first, tang second, and a gentle chili warmth at the finish.
Customization Ideas
- Increase the heat: Add extra red pepper flakes or include a sliced fresh chili in the jar (red chilies look best, like red jalapeño or Fresno peppers.)
- Go milder: Reduce the flakes slightly for a purely tangy garlic profile.
- Add herbal notes: Bay leaf, thyme, or rosemary pair well with garlic and vinegar.
- Boost aromatics: A few black peppercorns or coriander seeds add depth.
- Sweeten lightly: A small pinch of sugar or honey softens the acidity if desired.
How to Use Chili Pickled Garlic
These cloves are surprisingly flexible in the kitchen:
- Chopped into salads or grain bowls
- Sliced and added to pasta, pizza, or flatbreads
- Mixed into sauces, vinaigrettes, or aioli
- Served whole as part of tapas or antipasto
- Added to roasted vegetables or sautéed greens
If you want to reduce the pickled flavor for cooking, soak the cloves in cold water for about ten minutes before using. This removes some acidity and a bit of the heat while keeping the garlic character intact.
Storage and Gifting Notes
These jars of chili pickled garlic make excellent gifts. The garlic cloves look especially tempting suspended in the brine, and the mix of colors and shapes from the mustard seeds and pepper flakes makes them attractive enough to display on a counter.
Before preparing the recipe, it is important to sterilize your jar. Submerge the jar and lid in boiling water for ten minutes prior to use, following guidance from the National Center for Home Food Preservation. Proper sterilization helps ensure safety and shelf stability.
Store the finished jars in the refrigerator and use within a reasonable time frame for best flavor and texture.
Like This Recipe? You’ll Love These Too:
- Cajun Pickled Eggs: You either love ’em or hate ’em. But if you love ’em you really love ’em.
- Pickled Habaneros: This recipe works for any type of chili pepper, but habs provide a terrific extra-hot experience. And their natural sweetness works so well with the tangy brine.
- Old Bay Pickles: One of our favorite seasonings brings a tasty flair to your pickle spears or chips.
Chili Pickled Garlic
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 bulbs garlic
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
Instructions
- Peel the garlic cloves and set aside.
- In a small sauce pan bring the water to the boil and add salt.
- Add the garlic cloves to the boiling water for 30 seconds. Then scoop the garlic out of the water with a slotted spoon and place in a small sterile jar.
- Add the mustard seeds, sugar, and chili flakes to the garlic and pour over the vinegar.
- Fasten the lid. Make sure the jar is at room temperature, then place the jar in the refrigerator.
- For best flavor, allow the chili pickled garlic to set for 24 to 72 hours before opening the jar.