Quick Mexican Pickled Vegetables

Get those crunchy, spicy, and tangy taco pickles made of pickled carrots and jalapeños that you find at your local taqueria right in your home with this quick & easy recipe. Your tacos and your taste buds will thank you for it!

a jar of brightly colored taco pickles

What are Taco Pickles?

When I mention taco pickles, I am talking about pickled vegetables that you see at taquerias or taco shacks. They are usually on the salsa or toppings bar next to the pico de gallo, the chopped red onions with cilantro, and the guacamole.

Some are very picky about how their taco pickles are made and what they include, so the traditional way is carrots, jalapeños, and onions.

Cooked prior to pickling these vegetables also include some spices like garlic, whole coriander seeds, cumin, and Mexican oregano.

I am going to skip all that nonsense and give you a quick and easy recipe to get you the pickled carrots and jalapeños you so desperately want and need for your next Taco Tuesday! They are such a great taco topping, along with these dehydrated jalapenos, that you will never eat boring tacos again.

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slice the carrots, jalapeños, and radishes thin when making quick taco pickles

Escabeche Recipe

Traditional Escabeche is actually two recipes depending on how it is talked about. One is a fried meat or fried fish that is marinated in an acidic or vinegary mixture overnight before serving cold.

The second describes a way of pickling vegetables for later use. In this case, carrots and jalapeños. Not to be confused with Escabeche, these taco pickles don’t include the spices, onions, and cauliflower that are usually in the recipe.

And they are not cooked prior to the pickling, which not only leaves them crisp tender, but helps them retain color and nutrients. Just like my quick pickled red cabbage for tacos and this Marinated Carrot Salad!

layers of sliced carrots, jalapeño peppers, radishes, and cilantro make these taco pickles easy and quick

How to make Pickled Mexican Vegetables

Making these pickled jalapeños and carrots is a quick and easy process. Really the prep work of slicing and chopping all the vegetables takes the longest.

Oh, and waiting overnight for the vinegar mixture to really penetrate the veggies.

To make the pickled carrots and other vegetables, start by slicing them as thin as possible. You can use a knife and your excellent slicing/chopping skills or use a slicer like me.

I have a Mandoline slicer that I got for Christmas a few years ago and only use it for making pickles really, but there are some cheaper ones out there.

Also, my food processor has a slicer tool on it, so check yours as well:)

If you prefer your pickled jalapeños and other veggies thicker or easier to do, feel free to chop them. The thicker they are the longer they take to fully marinate, but do what makes you happy. Some prefer chopped taco toppings and some like slices. You do You!

Once you have all your veggies sliced or chopped, layer them into the jars. I would use sterilized jars if possible, but these are refrigerator pickles in a very acidic mixture so even if they are not sterilized, they will be ok.

pickles carrots and jalapeños including radishes are taco pickles in a jar

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How to make Pickled Mexican Vegetables

This pickling technique is considered a “quick pickle” and it is certainly that. Once you have your vegetables layered in the jars, assemble the pickling liquid.

A mixture of vinegars is used to round out the flavors, along with some sugar and salt. I leave out the spices because I like to use these for other dishes besides tacos so it makes them more universal.

Bring the liquid to a boil and stir to dissolve the sugar and salt.

Remove from the heat and let the liquid cool a little. Not all the way cold, just so it is easy to handle and won’t leave you with third degree burns.

Once it cools a bit, I pour in the tequila. This step will further cool down the liquid. If you don’t want to use tequila, feel free to add distilled water or more vinegar.

It would be safer to use vinegar to maintain the acidity in the jar so play around with a mixture of vinegar and water to make up the volume difference.

Once you add the tequila, gently pour the liquid into the jars of layered vegetables. Tap the jars or jiggle a bit to release any air bubbles trapped in the layers and make sure the vegetables are completely covered.

Let cool completely, cover with lids, and store in the fridge for at least 4 hours but overnight is best. Once every day or so I will turn the jars of these Spicy Mexican carrots and jalapeños upside down to make sure that no vegetable slices are sticking out of the liquid and not getting pickled.

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

If all goes well, your taco pickles will last for a few weeks in the refrigerator in air tight jars. Just give them a turn every so often!

process collage of how to make taco pickles

How long do the Taco Pickles last?

If you keep them in the refrigerator, they will last for up to two weeks.

What if you don’t want them super spicy?

I would suggest taking the ribs and seeds out of the jalapeño before slicing it, or I would cut down on the amount of jalapeño slices you put in each jar.

Do you have to use radishes?

No you don’t. Most other recipes include just carrots, jalapeños, and onions. I left out the onions for the radishes but feel free to use your favorite veggies.

Can I serve this as a side dish?

Traditional escabeche is served as a “salad” on the side or on top of meats, but depending on how you like to eat pickled foods you can absolutely eat this as a side. It will be very tangy and spicy so be careful!

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

pickled carrots and radishes

These taco pickles are spicy, tangy, easy to make, and go on so many dishes. Try them on fish, chicken, and pork carnitas! Remember that they have straight tequila in them so ENJOY RESPONSIBLY!

pickled carrots and jalapeño in a jar

Quick Taco Pickles

Get these spicy taco pickles made with pickled carrots, jalapeños, and radishes that you find at your local taqueria, in your home with this easy recipe!
4.53 from 65 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 32
Calories: 118kcal
Author: Jennifer Stewart

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch of radishes greens removed
  • 2 jalapeños
  • 4 large carrots peeled
  • 3/4 cup fresh cilantro
  • 1 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup tequila
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 canning jars with lids 32oz each

Instructions

Prep your vegetables

  • Slice your carrots, radishes, and jalapeños as thin as you can.
  • Chop your cilantro, removing long stem pieces
  • Layer the sliced carrots, radishes, jalapeños, and cilantro in your jars.

Prepare the pickling liquid

  • In a saucepan, combine the sugar, salt, and all the vinegars.
  • Bring to a boil on the stove top.
  • Remove and let cool 5 mins.
  • Add the tequila.

Make the Taco Pickles

  • Slowly pour the warm pickling liquid into the jars covering the carrots, radishes, and jalapeños completely.
  • Tap the jars on the counter or stir a little with a spoon or long stick to release any bubbles.
  • If you need more liquid, top with more white vinegar.
  • Let cool completely.
  • Add the lids.
  • Place in the refrigerator overnight or at least 4 hours.  The longer they sit the better.
  • If making these a few days in advance, turn the jars upside down every 24 hours to ensure that all the vegetables are in the pickling liquid.
  • These taco pickles will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
  • Enjoy!

Video

Notes

  • If you like this recipe, please leave me a comment and rate it with some stars.  Thank you!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Sodium: 281mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g

Recipe adapted from here.

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32 Comments

  1. My daughter made a batch of Quick taco pickles and gifted us with a jar. These are just delicious. She didn’t use tequila. Still a treat.

    1. So glad you liked them! I keep a batch in my fridge all the time. I might have to think about making multiple batches and giving out as holiday gifts. What a great idea!

  2. Absolutely love it! I didn’t have plain tequila, so I used my habanero infused tequila and they came out amazing!!!

  3. Just made this! Excited to try it for Fathers Day weekend with grilled chicken. What meat or type of taco would this go best with?

    1. I love these with carnitas or steak tacos! They really cut through the richness of the meat. Happy Father’s Day!

    1. I’m sure you can but I have never tried it. If you can them in the traditional way, please let me know how it turns out. Thanks!

  4. I absolutely love these. I make them every year when my radishes are ready. I usually use a Reposado as the flavour comes through. The radish/jalapeños/tequila makes it!!!

  5. Can I use ACV instead of white vinegar? I have allergies, so white vinegar is out for me. Thanks!

  6. Hi, Just found your article when I was looking at making pickle at home. Very well written and worth reading this article. I am planning to make this with my sister.
    Wish to see more in coming days

    1. I prefer to stick with the vegetables that I would use on tacos and burritos. My favorites are onions (red ones) jalapenos, carrots, and radishes. But I guess you could add cabbage or cauliflower. Stick with vegetables that are firm to begin with or they will be mushy after the pickling?

    1. I have not tried to do that with these. I have only made them with the quick pickle method. If you try it please let me know how it goes!

    2. @Jennifer, Ignor my previous comment! I’m sorry!! I think I left a positive comment! I realized its actually not important where I posted anything! So silly! I’ve always been competitive lol! I do love & use your recipe minus the alcohol. I’m making a batch right now! I think I mentioned how you have food safety that you are obligated to follow. But mine last a long time. They lose some color but otherwise they taste better the longer they sit in the fridge of course! Just a home cook/canner. I love to cook & entertain. Thankfully I can sayl with confidence no one has ever gotten ill from my food ;D ! I’m 57. Been at it a while! I love street taco pickles! We live in Yuma AZ so we go over the border to often. There’s one couple doing real tacos in a little walkway & yumm! THANK YOU for an easy perfect recipe!

    1. you can substitute vodka or if you want to go with something non alcoholic you can substitute white vinegar

  7. 4 stars
    Want to warn people I haven’t made this yet but please trust me, I have a knack for reading a recipe and knowing it will be good. Excuse me if this violates rating protocol. I am gonna tame the heat because I am putting it

4.53 from 65 votes (63 ratings without comment)

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