If you think pickling is just for veggies, think again! Pickled meats can add a zesty twist to your favorite dishes, turning ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences. These recipes are not only simple but also bursting with flavor, perfect for impressing friends or treating yourself.
Spicy Pickled Pork Belly

Braised Pork Belly with Pickled Mustard Greens (酸菜卤肉饭) from The Woks of Life
Rating: 4.9. Ingredients: 1 ч 35 мин
Imagine the rich, buttery flavor of pork belly, combined with a spicy tang that brings your taste buds to life! This recipe uses a mix of garlic, chili flakes, and a touch of vinegar to create a bold pickled pork belly that can be enjoyed as a main dish or sliced thin for sandwiches. What makes this recipe a hit is its versatility; it shines in tacos, on a charcuterie board, or even as a savory snack!
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork belly, skin removed
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 tablespoon chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon salt
To make this dish, simply simmer the vinegar, water, garlic, chili flakes, sugar, peppercorns, and salt until the sugar dissolves. Let it cool, then pour it over the pork belly in a jar, and refrigerate for at least 48 hours. The longer it sits, the more flavorful it becomes!
Sweet and Sour Pickled Chicken
Cantonese Chicken with Pickled Mustard Greens from The Woks of Life
Rating: 5. Ingredients: 1 ч
Pickled radish (Chicken-mu: 치킨무) from Maangchi
Rating: 4.9. Ingredients: 4, 9(359)
Chicken Sweet and Sour from SBCanning.com
Rating: 5. Ingredients: 2 ч 30 мин
This delightful pickled chicken recipe brings together sweet and tangy flavors in a way that’s simply addictive! Using a blend of honey, soy sauce, and vinegar, the chicken absorbs all the goodness, making it tender and bursting with flavor. It’s perfect served on a bed of rice or as a flavorful protein in salads!
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Start by whisking together honey, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and black pepper in a bowl. Add the chicken thighs, ensuring they’re well coated. Place everything in a jar, seal it up, and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 24 hours. The result? A sweet and sour chicken that’s sure to wow anyone!
Garlic Dill Pickled Beef Jerky
Beef jerky doesn’t have to be bland! This garlic dill version takes the classic snack and elevates it with a zesty pickle flavor that you won’t want to put down. Made with fresh garlic and dill, it’s a delicious way to satisfy your savory cravings while enjoying a bit of crunch!
Ingredients
- 1 pound beef flank steak, sliced thinly against the grain
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon dill seeds
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
To prepare, combine vinegar, water, garlic, dill seeds, sugar, salt, and pepper in a bowl and heat it until the sugar dissolves. Once cooled, pour it over the beef slices in a jar, ensuring the meat is fully submerged. Let it sit in the fridge for at least three days. You’ll be rewarded with a chewy, flavorful treat perfect for road trips or movie nights!
Maple Mustard Pickled Sausages

Sticky Cocktail Sausages – 3 Ways! from Lost in Food
Rating: 4.7. Ingredients: 50 min Total Time: 50 min.
These pickled sausages bring a sweet and tangy twist that’s hard to resist! Combining the rich flavors of maple syrup and mustard, this recipe transforms ordinary sausages into an exciting appetizer or snack. Whether you’re serving them at a party or enjoying them on a lazy Sunday, they will surely be a hit!
Ingredients
- 1 pound cooked sausages (like kielbasa or bratwurst)
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
Begin by mixing the vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, red pepper flakes, and salt in a saucepan and bringing it to a gentle boil. Place the cooked sausages in a jar and pour the hot mixture over them. Seal the jar and let it cool, then refrigerate for at least two days. The result is a sweet and spicy snack that’ll have everyone asking for the recipe!