If you’ve ever wondered how to elevate sweet, juicy cherry tomatoes into a tangy, flavorful delight, this Pickled Cherry Tomatoes Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. Bursting with vibrant color and a perfect balance of acidity, spice, and herbaceous notes, these pickled gems bring a bright pop to any dish. Whether you’re looking to add a zesty snack, a unique salad topping, or a charming addition to your cheese board, this recipe is refreshingly simple to make while delivering complex, mouthwatering results every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients makes all the difference in your pickles, and luckily, this Pickled Cherry Tomatoes Recipe calls for straightforward components that each shine in their unique way. Every item contributes to that perfect blend of tangy, savory, and lightly spicy flavors, while also preserving the crisp texture and beautiful color of the tomatoes.
- Cherry tomatoes (4 cups): Choose ripe, firm tomatoes for the best texture and sweetness.
- White vinegar (1 cup): The acid base that brightens and preserves the tomatoes.
- Water (1 cup): Dilutes the vinegar slightly for a balanced pickling brine.
- Kosher salt (1 tablespoon): Essential for drawing out flavors and seasoning the tomatoes perfectly.
- Sugar (1 tablespoon): Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the tang.
- Garlic cloves, smashed (4): Infuses subtle, savory depth into every bite.
- Black peppercorns (1 teaspoon): A peppery warmth that complements the acidity.
- Mustard seeds (1 teaspoon): Adds a faint, nutty spice and texture.
- Coriander seeds (1 teaspoon): Brings citrusy, floral undertones to the mix.
- Red pepper flakes (½ teaspoon, optional): For a gentle kick of heat that awakens the palate.
- Fresh dill sprigs (4): Herbaceous notes that brighten the final flavor beautifully.
How to Make Pickled Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Tomatoes
Start by rinsing your cherry tomatoes under cool water to remove any impurities. Using a toothpick, poke a small hole in each tomato. This little technique stops the tomatoes from splitting when the hot brine hits them and helps the flavors seep inside more deeply, giving you pickles that are bursting with taste inside and out.
Step 2: Pack the Jars
Grab clean glass jars—sterilized if you prefer—and pack the tomatoes tightly inside. For maximum flavor, tuck one smashed garlic clove and one sprig of fresh dill into each jar. These fresh aromatics will infuse their essence as the tomatoes soak up the brine.
Step 3: Make the Brine
In a small saucepan, combine white vinegar, water, kosher salt, sugar, black peppercorns, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, and red pepper flakes. Warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the salt and sugar completely. Once it reaches a boil, remove from heat immediately to keep all the flavors vibrant and balanced.
Step 4: Pour and Seal
Carefully pour the hot brine over the tomatoes in the jars, making sure each tomato is fully submerged. Let the jars sit at room temperature until cooled, then seal them tightly and store in the refrigerator. This step is crucial for your Pickled Cherry Tomatoes Recipe to transform into a tangy treat.
Step 5: Wait for the Magic
The flavor truly blossoms if you wait at least 24 hours before digging in, but for the best results, allow the tomatoes to pickle for 3 to 5 days. Patience here rewards you with the perfect balance of tangy, savory, and spicy notes that make these tomatoes so addictive.
How to Serve Pickled Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
Garnishes
These tangy tomatoes are stars on their own, but adding a sprinkle of fresh chopped dill or a few cracked peppercorns can enhance their vibrant flavor even more. A drizzle of good olive oil right before serving also adds a silky richness that pairs excellently with the acidity.
Side Dishes
Pickled cherry tomatoes bring a fresh pop of flavor alongside rich cheese boards featuring goat cheese or aged cheddar. They also make an incredible side to grilled meats or fish, cutting through the richness with their crisp acidity and lively spices. Toss them into a summer salad for an extra burst of tangy color and complexity.
Creative Ways to Present
Beyond traditional serving methods, try adding pickled cherry tomatoes as a topping on avocado toast for a flavorful upgrade or mix them into creamy hummus for an unexpected tang. You can even skewer them with mozzarella balls and basil leaves for a fun, pickled take on caprese bites that will wow guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These cherry tomatoes keep their delightful texture and flavor best when stored in the refrigerator. Make sure the tomatoes stay submerged in the brine, seal your jars tight, and they will stay crisp and delicious for up to 2 weeks, making them a handy condiment to have ready for snacking or garnishing dishes on the fly.
Freezing
Freezing pickled cherry tomatoes is not recommended because their delicate skins and textures will turn mushy upon thawing. For the best experience, stick to refrigerating and enjoying them fresh within their two-week window.
Reheating
Since these tomatoes are meant to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, reheating is unnecessary. Serving them chilled maximizes their crispness and the refreshing balance of flavors that make this Pickled Cherry Tomatoes Recipe truly special.
FAQs
Can I use other types of vinegar?
Absolutely! While white vinegar keeps the brine clear and crisp, you can experiment with apple cider vinegar for a fruitier hint or rice vinegar for a milder tang. Just remember that different vinegars may alter the color and flavor slightly.
How spicy will the red pepper flakes make the pickles?
The ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes adds a gentle warmth that enhances the overall flavor without overpowering the tomatoes. If you prefer little to no heat, feel free to omit them entirely.
Are these pickled cherry tomatoes shelf-stable?
No, this recipe is for refrigerator pickles, meaning they must be kept cold to stay safe and fresh. They have a shelf life of about two weeks in the fridge.
Can I reduce the sugar in the recipe?
Yes, you can reduce or omit the sugar depending on your taste preferences. Keep in mind the sugar balances the acidity and helps mellow the overall flavor.
How long do I wait before tasting the pickled tomatoes?
The tomatoes start to develop flavor after 24 hours, but for the best taste, let them pickle for 3 to 5 days. The extra time mellows bitterness and deepens the delicious briny notes.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly satisfying about making your own Pickled Cherry Tomatoes Recipe that brightens everyday meals and snacks in the most delightful way. With vibrant colors, fresh herbs, and an irresistible tang, this simple recipe will quickly become a beloved staple in your kitchen. So grab some fresh tomatoes and start pickling—your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Pickled Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes (plus 24 hours pickling time)
- Yield: 4 cups
- Category: Condiment
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan,Gluten Free
Description
Delightfully tangy and crisp, these Pickled Cherry Tomatoes are a quick and easy refrigerator pickle perfect for adding a burst of flavor to snacks, salads, and cheese boards. Preserved in a fragrant brine of vinegar, spices, and fresh dill, they offer a vibrant, refreshing condiment that requires no canning and keeps well refrigerated for up to two weeks.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 4 cups cherry tomatoes
Brine
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 sprigs fresh dill
Instructions
- Prepare Tomatoes: Rinse the cherry tomatoes thoroughly and use a toothpick to poke a small hole in each tomato to prevent splitting during pickling.
- Pack Jars: Tightly pack the prepared cherry tomatoes into clean glass jars, adding one smashed garlic clove and one sprig of fresh dill to each jar for flavor.
- Make Brine: In a small saucepan, combine white vinegar, water, kosher salt, sugar, black peppercorns, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, and optional red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring to dissolve the salt and sugar completely, then remove from heat.
- Pour Brine: Carefully pour the hot brine over the packed cherry tomatoes in the jars, making sure the tomatoes are fully submerged.
- Cool and Refrigerate: Allow the jars to cool to room temperature, then seal them tightly and refrigerate.
- Pickling Time: Let the tomatoes pickle for at least 24 hours before consuming, though the flavor deepens and improves after 3-5 days.
Notes
- These refrigerator pickles are not shelf-stable and must be kept refrigerated at all times.
- The pickled tomatoes will stay crisp and flavorful for up to 2 weeks when properly stored in the refrigerator.
- Excellent as a snack, on cheese boards, or tossed into salads for a bright and tangy addition.
