If you have an abundance of cherry tomatoes, these refrigerator pickled tomatoes are great on salads, or as a healthy snack.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
We had a cold, wet spring here in Colorado, so the growing season got off to a slow start. My tomato plants–especially the cherry tomatoes–are finally producing more that we can eat, so I’ve been on the look-out for easy recipes like these Quick Pickled Cherry Tomatoes.
We had a cold, wet spring here in Colorado, so the growing season got off to a slow start. My tomato plants–especially the cherry tomatoes–are finally producing more that we can eat, so I’ve been on the look-out for easy recipes like these Quick Pickled Cherry Tomatoes.
One of my favorite ways to use an abundance of vegetables is to pickle them. It’s so easy to make refrigerated pickles, and you can apply the technique to so many veggies.
Plus, my family loves pickles of any kind, so it’s always a win for me. I’ve never tried pickling cherry tomatoes before, but wow! They’re amazing.
These are fabulous on salads or served as part of a cheese tray, but if you’re a tomato fan like me, you’ll be eating them straight from the jar.
Don’t skip the step of poking the tomatoes with a toothpick, otherwise the pickling liquid can’t really do it’s job. These pickled tomatoes will last about a month in the refrigerator.
But you can plan on them disappearing long before then!
If you’re choosing cherry tomatoes from the farmer’s market or grocery store, look for plump tomatoes with smooth skins. And avoid tomatoes with be bruises, blemishes, or deep cracks.
If the tomatoes have leaves, they should be fresh and green. And although it isn’t necessary, cherry tomatoes in a variety of colors make for a pretty presentation.
Be sure to save this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
Ingredients
- Apple cider vinegar
- Spices: salt, red pepper flakes, mustard seeds
- Sugar
- Produce: lemons, cherry tomatoes, dill, garlic
Quick Pickled Cherry Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup salt
- 1/4 cup sugar
- Zest of one lemon
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup fresh dill sprigs
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring vinegar, water, salt, sugar and lemon zest to a boil. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until sugar and salt are dissolved. Cool to room temperature.
- Pierce each tomato once or twice with a wooden toothpick. Divide tomatoes, dill, garlic, red pepper and mustard seeds evenly among sterilized jars.
- Pour cooled vinegar mixture into jars, leaving on inch of space at the top. Cover and refrigerate for up to one month.
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25 comments
Katie Jernigan
How many jars/what size is needed for this recipe? The recipe says to divide the spices so trying to figure out how many ways it needs to be divided before I start. Thank you!
Danelle
I didn’t specify so people could use whatever jars they had available. You kind of have to estimate how to divide the spices based on what size of jars you are using.
Mia
can you add basil with the dill or leave the dill out
Michael Eugene Shaner
I realize this is a 2015 recipe, Danelle, but I just discovered it last night, tried my hand at it this morning. Everything is still marinating in the fridge, so I’ve not (yet) tasted. Quick Questions? Perhaps a little late, but can powdered mustard be substituted for mustard seeds? If one is short on Apple Cider Vinegar, can the difference be made up with regular vinegar? Can Florida Cane Sugar be substituted for regular sugar? Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Danelle
I wouldn’t use the mustard powder–if you don’t have seeds just leave them out. But the rest of the substitutions should work just fine.
Kimberly
Do I need to sterilize the jars first?
Danelle
No because you aren’t canning the tomatoes for long-term preservation. Just wash them good with soap and hot water.
Stephanie
I have made these once and it was so good I’m making another batch today with tomberry tomatoes. Can’t wait!! Thanks for such a great recipe.
Lizzie
I’ve been pickling cherry tomatoes for years. They make an unexpected and tasty garnish for a really good martini. Add a pitted kalamata olive for a real taste treat. But most important: use good gin.
Wendy Mitchler
Can you use diced up tomatoes instead?
Danelle
I think they would get more soft and mushy, but if you were going to eat them within a day or two, it might work.
Carol
Can you use other vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar I. The refrigerator cherry tomato pickle ?
Danelle
I don’t see why not.
Veronica Guy
I have just made this pickle. I make a lot of different pickles, chutneys and fermemted veg. I used chilli flakes because I didn’t have and pepper flakes.
I will leave them at least 48 hours. I did put about 8 pricks in each tomato which will encourage more infusion.
Citty
Can you cut the tomatoes in half instead of poking with a toothpick?
Theresa
How long after putting them in the fridge are they ready to eat? Should you wait a week or so? Or are they ready immediately?
Danelle
You could eat them after about 8 hours, but the longer the sit, the more pickled they will taste.
Jim
What size jars are u using looks like half pints but not sure. I am making some today. Thanks
Danelle
I usually just use whatever size I have handy, but I believe the jar in the photo is a half pint.
Angela Means
What are your thoughts on this recipe with green cherry tomatoes?
Danelle
I think it would work great!
Vicki Whitman
Can these be canned for longer storage?
Roxxy
Yes. I do it every year and love it. I use the oven water bath Method.
Danelle
I don’t do a lot of canning, so I honestly don’t know. I would assume so, but I don’t know the best procedure for canning them. I have heard tomatoes can be tricky though, because of the acidity.
Billy
I love your pictures! They really make me want to give this a shot myself. I have never tried pickled tomatoes but I love tomatoes in general – and I also love pickled veggies.. so I think I’d love them when they are combined! Thank you for sharing your recipe, can’t wait to try it at home.