Mexican Pickled Carrots
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Mexican pickled carrots are a crunchy delicious snack, often served at Mexican restaurants. Make this easy quick pickle recipe at home!
Ever go to a Mexican restaurant and have those pickled, spicy carrots? Well I think I have a great make-it-at-home version that has us eating these like mad! Perfect to snack on and a great appetizer for this Summer’s grilling parties. You’ll be surprised how easy these Authentic Mexican Pickled Carrots are to make.
Mexican Pickled Carrots
These are great for summer time snacking and for a little something as you grill or make dinner. Big fans of Mexican cooking here and we eat it quite often. I just have never been able to, at least to my satisfaction, replicate the spicy carrots you get served at Mexican restaurants or take outs.
I tried 3 different recipe versions to come to come up with this one and this is it. I love the thick carrot, sliced on the diagonal, the bits of onion, chucks of jalapeño, and Mexican oregano.
Video: Quick Pickling Carrots
Want to see the process of pickling the veggies from start to finish? Scroll down to the recipe card and watch the video!
Recipe Instructions
- Peel and slice the veggies. Slice on the diagonal into quarter inch slices and do the same to a few large jalapeño peppers. Thinly slice some white onion as well.
NOTE: Be careful when working with spicy chiles- they can burn your eyes, so keep your hands away from them! Also, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after working with them. Trust me, it’s no bueno to the eyes if you rub them… especially if wearing contacts.
- Parboil veggies in vinegar solution. I always thought quick pickling meant you just drop the veggies of choice into vinegar, but I was wrong. Par boiling makes ALL the difference when you’re pickling a hard vegetable like carrot.
- Cool and store in clean, lidded jars. After you boil the vegetables in the vinegar mixture, allow to cool and keep in a clean air tight jar, refrigerated. Ready to eat after 3 hours, they just get better with time. Although this batch size doesn’t last more than a week when I make it.
Canning Mexican Pickled Carrots
This is a safe recipe for canning. This recipe fills 4 pint-size jars or 2 quart-size jars
- Brine made with at least 50% vinegar (5% acid) is safe pH for canning. Check your vinegar bottle to make sure it’s 5% acid, some store brands are only 4% (calling them table vinegars) and do not measure up for proper acidity for canning.
- Boiling water bath pints and half pints for 15 minutes and adjust for altitude. (add 5 minutes to water bath time for every 1,000 feet in altitude. 15 minutes for sea level to 999 feet, 20 minutes for altitude 1000-1999, etc…).
- Remove from canner, let cool. Check to be sure the jars have sealed, then remove rings, label the lids and store in a cupboard. I’ve had jars that were 4 years old and the pickled carrots were still delicious.
Refrigerate once jar is open, will stay good in refrigerator for a month.
I like to use Mexican oregano in Mexican and Latin dishes as it has the flavor I’ve come to love. If you can’t find Mexican oregano, please, by all means use whatever oregano you have on hand. You are going to love these!
Difference between Mexican and Mediterranean Oregano
- Mexican oregano is a relative of Lemon Verbena and is native to Mexico. Similar in that it’s pungent like Mediterranean oregano, Mexican oregano has notes of mild licorice and citrus.
- Mediterranean oregano is a member of the mint family and most often is used in Greek and Italian recipes. Mediterranean oregano is the one most found in spice racks and supermarkets.
Give these Mexican pickled carrots a try, you will not be disappointed. Add in some cauliflower florets, too if you like.
This post, first published on Kevin Is Cooking on June 29, 2016 was last updated with new content on Sept. 13, 2021.
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Mexican Pickled Carrots
Ingredients
- 2 lbs carrots
- 1/2 cup sliced jalapeños (See Note 1)
- 1/2 cup medium white onion (about half an onion)
- 5 cloves garlic smashed
- 1 1/2 cups white vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 6 bay leaves whole
- 10 black peppercorns
- 2 tsp dried Mexican oregano (or original oregano)
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Peel and slice carrots (See Note 2) and onion into 1/4 inch thick pieces (See Note 3). Cut the stems off jalapeños and slice thin on diagonal. Set aside.
- In a large stock pot add the garlic, vinegar, water, oil (omit if canning), bay leaves, peppercorns, oregano, salt. Bring to a boil and add the carrots, onion and jalapeños (See Note 4). Lower heat to medium-low and cook for 15 minutes, uncovered.
- Allow to cool completely and store vegetables and cooking liquid in clean, sterile glass containers with lid. (This recipe fills 4 pint or 2 quart jars.) If more liquid is needed to cover add equal parts water and white vinegar. Keep refrigerated.
- Fine to eat after 3 hours, best if pickled for at least a day or two.
See Below Notes if canning.
Video
Notes
- The jalapenos are for flavor and heat, so add more or less to your liking.
- Slice carrots on the diagonal for larger pieces to eat. I’ve also added small cut cauliflower, this is optional.
- Cut the half white onion into 1/4 inch slices, no diagonal cut needed as with carrots.
- If vegetables are not completely covered, add equal amount water/vinegar to cover. Bring to a boil, lower heat to medium-low and cook for 15 minutes, uncovered.
- If canning, omit the oil in Step 2. According to the American Food Preservation, never add oil if canning. It’s not safe and can affect your seal and mold inside the jar.
- Wash jars and two-piece caps in hot soapy water. Rinse well. Dry bands and set aside. Heat jars and lids in a saucepan of simmering water (180°F). DO NOT BOIL LIDS. Allow jars and lids to remain in hot water until ready for use.
- Brine made with at least 50% vinegar (5% acid) is safe pH for canning. Check your vinegar bottle to make sure it’s 5% acid, some store brands are only 4% (calling them table vinegars) and do not measure up for proper acidity for canning.
- Once jars are “hot packed” with carrot mixture, leave 1/2-inch headspace. Remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rim of the jars before putting lids and seal on.
- Boiling water bath pints and half pints for 15 minutes and adjust for altitude. (add 5 minutes to water bath time for every 1,000 feet in altitude. 15 minutes for sea level to 999 feet, 20 minutes for altitude 1000-1999, etc…). I have enjoyed these canned numerous times. I have not found that the 15 minute water bath cook time on top of initial cook time in Instructions made the carrots mushy, but if concerned, cut initial cook time in Step 2 above by 5 minutes.
- Remove from canner, place hot jars on a towel and let cool for 24 hours. Check to make sure the jars have sealed, remove rings, label lid and store in a cupboard.
- Refrigerate once jar is open, will stay good in refrigerator for a month.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
These go quick in my house! I’m a southern girl that was raised on amazing San Diego Mexican food and this recipe mimicks a lot of family favorite authentic spots. So yum!
I am so glad you enjoyed them! We do love them!
I made these yesterday and they are AMAZING!!! I used different color carrots from my garden and little purple onions
Excellent, love it! 🙂
Is there something I can use in place of the mexican oregano?
Regular oregano will do just fine Trisha. Thanks for giving this one a go! 🙂
Thanks!
Hello – for the canning method, do you still cook the vegetables first then jar, seal and water bath? Want to avoid the soggy veggies.
I do cook these as directed in the recipe and THEN can. They are still “al dente” and not mushy at all George! Hope you give them a try.
Hi! Thanks so much for this recipe! I just made a batch and am waiting for it to cool before I close the lids on my jars and refrigerate them for a couple days. This is my first time “pickling” and I just want to make sure I’m doing this right. Do I store it on the counter or the fridge? How long is it good for? I read up on botulism and just want to make sure I’m following all steps to ensure I don’t get some type of food poisoning. Silly question, I know!
Not a silly question at all. If you are not canning these they need to be refrigerated. Although if you do decide to can them, see the Recipe Card Notes. Enjoy Mary!
This recipe has expanded my pickled vegetable horizons. I have adjusted it slightly to suit the family taste. I’ve doubled the onion, using a sweet Vidalia style. Also changed cooking times slightly, adding onion and jalepeno about 5 minutes after the carrots start boiling. We don’t can them, instead use them as refrigerator pickles.
Lastly, thank you for explaining the difference between Mexican and Italian oregano. First batch was Italian, the last four have been Mexican. Two thumbs up.
Thank you for the kind message! I am glad you were able to make the adjustments!
Saving this to try later! Yum! It would also make a nice gift to take to someone if invited for a pot luck Mexican dinner! Thanks for sharing!
You bet, thanks Val!
What brand of Mexican Oregano do you use and where do you get it?
Thanks!!
I typically find mine in the Hispanic aisle at the market. One brand I buy is El Guapo (Green, red and white top label). McCormick and other top bottled spice and herb companies package it as well. If you can’t find at your market, you can order online. Hope that helps Ashley.
Super helpful! Thanks so much!
Do the carrots retain some of their crunchiness after cooking? I prefer them crunchy rather than soggy.
Yes they do Bivian, al dente!
instead of cut carrots I use baby carrots. one less step
I say give it a try! Let me know how it turns out! I would love to hear!