Branston Pickle Recipe

Recreate the magic of a classic British ploughman's lunch with this homemade Branston Pickle recipe! This vibrant and tangy vegetable pickle, a UK pub staple, is surprisingly easy to make despite its impressive ingredient list. The result is a deeply flavorful condiment perfect for pairing with cheeses, crackers, and more. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this homemade version of a beloved British classic!

Prep Time 45 mins
Cook Time 30300 mins
Calories 38.5 kcal
Protein 1g
Rating 4.0 (3 Reviews)
Branston Pickle 15

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Branston Pickle

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How to Make Branston Pickle

  1. Cube 500g carrots and 500g swede into 1cm pieces. Finely chop 4 cloves garlic, 200g pitted dates, 200g cauliflower florets, 2 large onions, 2 large apples (peeled, cored and chopped), 2 medium zucchini (diced), and 100g gherkins.
  2. In a large saucepan, combine the carrots, swede, garlic, dates, cauliflower, onions, apples, zucchini, and gherkins. Add 170ml malt vinegar, 170ml white wine vinegar, 170g sugar, 1 tbsp mustard powder, 1 tbsp ground ginger, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp celery seed, and 1 tsp salt.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently.
  4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1-1.5 hours, or until the swede is tender but still holds its shape. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Stir in 2-3 tbsp of brown food colouring (adjust to achieve desired dark brown colour).
  6. While the pickle simmers, sterilize jars by washing in hot, soapy water, rinsing well, and drying completely.
  7. Carefully spoon the hot pickle into the sterilized jars, leaving about 1cm headspace.
  8. Seal the jars tightly. Let the jars cool completely.
  9. Leave the sealed jars for at least 3 weeks in a cool, dark place to allow the flavors to mature. The pickle will continue to improve in flavour over several months.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

4 g

Sugar

28g

Fat

0g

Carbs

3g