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Home » ALL RECIPES » Spiced Balsamic Pickled Shallots

Spiced Balsamic Pickled Shallots

Author: Karon Grieve Published : November 2021

Recipe Video
balsamic pickled shallots
spiced balsamic pickled shallots
balsamic pickled shallots

These deliciously tangy balsamic pickled shallots are super easy to make and are the perfect addition to roast meats, turkey, game and so much more. Or just add some to a toasted cheese sandwich to make it extra special.

spiced balsamic pickled shallots in jar and some on fork

Don’t you just love pickled onions? That tangy mouth-puckering taste that goes so well with a simple cheese board to all sorts of meats both hot and cold.

But this spiced balsamic pickled shallots recipe takes the humble pickled onion to a whole new level of tastiness. They are very much a posher more grown-up version of pickled onions.

These are so rich and flavourful, they are just deep and dark and delicious!

Ingredients; vinegar, shallots, sugar, spices and salt

Ingredients for these pickled shallots

I’ve used shallots, those small slightly pointed onions for this pickle. They have a slightly softer flavour than standard onions and break down beautifully when cooked giving them a totally different structure than the standard pickled onions. Like these simple pickled onions I have made before.

What are shallots?

Shallots or Allium Ascalonicum, their proper fancy name, are part of the allium family that includes onions, garlic and chives.

Shallots aren’t as sharp in taste as onions and are often used in sauces and in vinaigrettes. Shallots make terrific caramelised onion jam as they break down so well and have a terrific flavour.

The only other ingredients you’ll need for this pickle recipe are sugar, salt, balsamic vinegar (of course!) and those all-important spices.

Spices; I’ve used a mixture of ground coriander, cumin, cloves, turmeric and cinnamon to give my pickled shallots a real spicy kick of flavour.

What is balsamic vinegar?

Unlike normal vinegar balsamic vinegar is a rich and dark vinegar with a distinctive taste. It originates in Italy where it is made from grape must which is the freshly crushed grape juice with all the skins, seeds and stems. This is what gives balsamic vinegar its unique flavour.

The complete list of ingredients and full instructions for making this recipe can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

cooking the shallots in a pan

How to make these balsamic pickled shallots

Now when I say this is a simple recipe I really mean it. The most difficult part of the entire process is peeling the shallots themselves.

Then it is just a case of tossing all the ingredients together in a pan and heating gently till the sugar has dissolved completely. Raise the heat to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer and cook the shallots till they are translucent and softened. For me, this took about 40 minutes.

Ladle the spiced balsamic pickled shallots into a sterilised jar and that’s it really. Here are my tips on how to sterilise jars properly.

Maturing this pickle – leave your spiced balsamic pickled shallots to mature for at least 48 hours to allow them to mellow and the flavours to really develop.

shot of jar of onions with fork in small plate

How much pickle does this recipe make?

I got one big 500ml jar of balsamic pickled shallots from this recipe. If you want to make more just double up the recipe. I just made this amount as I only had 500g of shallots to start with.

How long does this keep?

Your pickled onions should keep for up to a year in a cool dark place.

spiced balsamic pickled shallots in a cheese and salad sandwich

How to serve balsamic pickled shallots

Use this pickle with a simple ploughman’s lunch, they go so well with sharp cheddar cheese and with ham too.

Add them to your sharing platter for a real punch of flavour and the tang of pickle.

Balsamic pickled shallots are perfect on the side with game, turkey, beef and pork.

Just add some to a toasted cheese sandwich, yum!

This recipe makes a great foodie gift, so why not check out my post on how to make Christmas hampers.

larder links

Looking for more delicious pickles to try? Then check these out before you go;

Old Fashioned English Pickled Onions

Red Onion Marmalade/Chutney

Quick And Easy Pickled Cucumbers

Sweet And Sour Pickled Apricots

Or just go to my pickling page for lots more inspiration.

Finally, if you do try this recipe don’t forget to leave a comment/star rating below as I just love to hear from readers. Want more Larder Love? Then follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter and sign up for my newsletter too of course.

Photos And Tips AboveMost of my recipes have step by step photos and useful tips plus videos too, see above.
spiced balsamic pickled shallots in jar and some on fork

Spiced Balsamic Pickled Shallots

Karon Grieve
Rich and packed with flavour these pickled shallots are just perfect with everything from game to a cheeseboard.
4.38 from 8 votes
Print Recipe Comment Bookmark Saved! Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Course pickles
Cuisine Italian
Servings 1 500ml jar
Calories 810 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 500 g shallots
  • 80 g sugar
  • 150 ml balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • pinch ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • pinch ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp salt
Metric – US Customary

Instructions
 

  • Peel the shallots and chop off the bases
  • Put all ingredients in a pan and heat gently to dissolve the sugar then raise to a boil for 1 minute
  • Reduce heat and simmer for about 40 minutes till the shallots are translucent and tender
  • Ladle into a sterilised jar
  • Leave to mature for at least 48

Video

Notes

The calories shown are for the full jar of spiced balsamic pickled shallots
These will keep for up to a year in a cool dark place, once opened store in fridge and use within a month.

Nutrition

Calories: 810kcalCarbohydrates: 191gProtein: 14gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 679mgPotassium: 1883mgFiber: 17gSugar: 142gVitamin A: 33IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 244mgIron: 8mg
My Top Tips*Always read the full recipe first. *Assemble all your ingredients and everything you need before you start. *For baking check the size of tins I’m using as this makes a big difference to your cakes. * I use medium sized eggs unless otherwise stated. * I use extra virgin olive oil unless otherwise stated. * I use unsalted butter unless otherwise stated. * Check out My Preserving Kit!
Keyword balsamic vinegar, pickled shallots
Tried this recipe?Mention @LarderLove or tag #LarderLove

Filed Under: ALL RECIPES, Homemade Pickles, Winter

« Easy Christmas Cinnamon Palmiers Cookies
How To Make The Perfect Christmas Hamper »

Comments

  1. Marne Rogers says

    November 23, 2021 at 12:08 am

    5 stars
    This is destined to be a staple in my kitchen!

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      November 23, 2021 at 10:21 am

      Hi Marne
      SO thrilled you like this one so much. I can’t stop making it myself.
      K

      Reply
  2. Louise says

    May 13, 2022 at 4:40 pm

    5 stars
    So delicious! Will use this recipe again and again!! I had to improvise as I didn’t have cloves but was gorgeous! Will try with cloves next time

    Reply
    • Karon Grieve says

      May 16, 2022 at 3:16 pm

      Hi Louise
      So glad you liked this recipe so much. Must admit it is one of my favourites and I always make it for gift hampers.
      K

      Reply

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