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Pickled Cherries

Simple pickled cherries are my new favorite way to enjoy summertime cherries. Ready in just under an hour and still perfectly sweet.

Pickled cherries in a glass quart jar.

Looking for a new, fun addition to a great charcuterie board, fresh summer salad, or appetizer?

These pickled cherries are so much fun to eat, and super simple to make. 

A perfect balance of sweet and sour, they burst with juicy cherry goodness. 

And you can’t pop just 1, these little gems are addictive!

Pickling cherries are also a great way to take advantage of the cherry season while they’re at their peak. 

Trust me, you’ve got to try these pickled cherries!

Pickled cherries cooking in a pot.

Ingredients for pickled cherries

  • Fresh cherries – Fresh works best here. I do not recommend substituting frozen.
  • Apple cider vinegar – A vinegar with a slightly sweet apple flavor, will help compliment the sweetness of the cherries.
  • Black peppercorns – These will add a peppery bite without being overly spicy.
  • Thyme – Thyme is fresh and herbaceous.
  • Dark brown sugar – Dark brown sugar adds a deep, molasses flavor.

Are these shelf-stable?

NO!

The final products here are not shelf-stable jars because we do not use canning processes. That means, no water bath or pressure canning techniques are used for this recipe.

These are meant to be kept in the refrigerator.

We’re simply pouring the brine and the fruit into clean jars, and placing them safely in the refrigerator, where they will keep for up to a month. 

Different flavors

If you’re feeling extra spicy, swap out the black peppercorns for red pepper flakes.

Or, if you want to give your pickled cherries a uniquely floral, citrus flavor, try adding coriander seeds.

Looking for a warmer feel? Add a cinnamon stick!

Using different sugars

I’ve decided to use brown sugar because of the deep molasses flavor, but feel free to use light brown sugar or even white sugar. 

How to use pickled cherries

The possibilities are endless!

Aside from just eating them straight out of the jar for a snack, one of my favorite ways to enjoy these cherries is to mix them with greens in a fresh salad. Like in my Pea Shoot, Pickled Cherry and Apple Salad.

They also are a fun garnish for cocktails!

Pickled cherries are also a favorite with cheeses on charcuterie boards, stuffed in sandwiches like my Roast Pork and Pickled Cherry Panini, or on top of a ricotta toast appetizer. 

Storage of pickled cherries

These pickled cherries store nicely in a clean, covered jar, in the refrigerator, for up to a month!

Quart glass jar full of pickled cherries.

More pickled recipes

pickled cherries in a glass quart jar

Pickled Cherries

Author: Brandy O’Neill – Nutmeg Nanny
Simple pickled cherries are my new favorite way to enjoy summertime cherries. Ready in just under an hour and still perfectly sweet.
4.58 from 42 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 1 quart jar

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat and add apple cider vinegar, water, dark brown sugar, and peppercorns.
  • Cook until the sugar dissolves.
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low and add in cherries and thyme.
  • Cook for about 5 minutes until the cherries have just started to soften.
  • Add cherries to the quart jar and top with strained vinegar mixture.
  • Let cool on the counter, cover, and refrigerate. Let sit overnight before using it.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 511kcal | Carbohydrates: 123g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 30mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 103g
Course Preserving
Cuisine American
Keyword bing cherry recipes, canning recipes, cherry recipes, fermenting recipes, pickled cherries, pickled fruit, pickling recipes
Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment and 5 star review!
Brandy

About Brandy!

I am a food lover and recipe developer bringing you delicious recipes that taste great and are easy to make! My food is inspired by travels around the world and my love of flavorful food. A list of things that make me happy: cats, Coke Zero, houseplants, and travel. Read more...

Recipe Rating




Stephen Alexander

Friday 2nd of June 2023

1/4 what of brown sugar?

Martha Calkins

Saturday 6th of August 2022

My comment has some big errors, thanks to our helpful drunken uncle, Autocorrect. Any site that allows him to run around unsupervised should at least provide an edit option!

Martha Calkins

Saturday 6th of August 2022

I’m going to try these: they sound wonderful! But I’m not going to seem or put them: I think they need the stem to provide the perfect little handle!

Denise

Sunday 12th of June 2022

Um, how much vinegar and how much water?

nutmegnanny

Monday 13th of June 2022

Hi Denise - the ingredients are listed on the recipe card. It's 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 3/4 cup water.

Mari

Wednesday 30th of June 2021

Can these be canned for long term storage according to this recipe?

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