Spicy Green Apple Pickle: The BEST Easy Achar Recipe

Spicy green apple pickle is a flavor explosion I remember from my grandmother’s kitchen. The sweet tartness of green apples, balanced by fiery spices, creates a condiment so addictive you’ll want to put it on everything! This particular apple achar recipe is a cherished family heirloom passed down through generations, and I’m so excited to share my version of this spicy green apple pickle with you. It’s vibrant, bold, and surprisingly easy to make!                                                  Close-up detail

Why You Will Love This spicy green apple pickle Recipe

This spicy green apple pickle isn’t just delicious; it’s incredibly versatile. It adds a zing to your cheese boards, elevates grilled meats, and brings a whole new dimension to your favorite Indian dishes. What started as a way for my grandma to preserve seasonal apples turned into a culinary treasure, a burst of sunshine during the long winter months. This version balances sweet, sour, and spicy perfectly, making it a delightful experience for your taste buds.

It’s also quick. You don’t need to spend days slaving over a hot stove. Within an hour or so, you’ll have jars of this spicy green apple pickle ready to enjoy. That satisfying crunch of a perfectly pickled apple with that rush of spice is just unforgettable. I often add a dollop to my rice and dal for an extra kick!

Follow us on Pinterest for more unique and flavourful recipes! Maybe you would also like to try my Spicy Cajun Pasta for a totally different flavour profile.

Ingredients Needed for This spicy green apple pickle Recipe

For this simple yet flavourful apple achar recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Green Apples: 1 kg, firm and tart (Granny Smith or similar)
• Mustard Oil: 1/2 cup
• Fenugreek Seeds (Methi): 2 tablespoons
• Mustard Seeds (Rai): 2 tablespoons
• Fennel Seeds (Saunf): 2 tablespoons, coarsely crushed
• Nigella Seeds (Kalonji): 1 tablespoon
• Turmeric Powder: 1 teaspoon
• Red Chili Powder: 2 to 4 tablespoons, adjust to your spice preference
• Asafoetida (Hing): 1/4 teaspoon
• Salt: 3 to 4 tablespoons, or to taste
• Vinegar: 1/4 cup (white or apple cider vinegar)
• Sugar: 1 tablespoon (optional, to balance tartness)

How to Make This spicy green apple pickle Recipe

1. 1. Prepare the Apples: Wash, core, and cut the green apples into small, bite size pieces.

1. 2. Dry Roast the Spices: In a dry pan, lightly roast both fenugreek and mustard seeds for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn them. Grind coarsely in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.

1. 3. Heat the Oil: Heat the mustard oil in a large pan or wok until it reaches its smoking point. Then, turn off the heat and let it cool slightly for a minute. This helps temper the oil and removes its harshness.

1. 4. Add Aroma: Add asafoetida (hing) to the slightly cooled oil and let it sizzle for a few seconds. The aroma should bloom almost instantly. Then add the crushed Fennel seeds and Nigella seeds and saute for a minute.

1. 5. Introduce Spices: Add the turmeric powder and red chili powder to the oil. Stir quickly to prevent burning. Add a little bit of oil if it gets too dry from soaking up the powders.

1. 6. Incorporate Apples: Gently add the chopped green apples to the pan. Mix well, ensuring that all the apple pieces are coated with the spice mixture.

1. 7. Season and Simmer: Add salt and sugar (if using) to the mixture. Stir well. Cook the pickle on medium low heat until the apples soften slightly, but still retain some crunch. This usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

1. 8. Add Finishing Touches: Stir in the vinegar and the ground mustard and fenugreek seeds and cook for another 5 minutes.

1. 9. Cool and Store: Allow the spicy green apple pickle to cool completely before transferring it to sterilized glass jars. Ensure the jars are completely dry to prevent spoilage.

How to Serve This spicy green apple pickle Recipe

This spicy green apple pickle is incredibly versatile. Serve it as a side with your favorite Indian curries, such as dal or vegetable dishes. It’s also wonderful with parathas and naan bread.

Consider using it as a condiment on grilled meats or sandwiches. The sweet and spicy combination complements rich, savory flavors beautifully. I even love adding a small spoonful to my Apple Quinoa Salad for an unexpected kick.

It elevates simple cheese and crackers to something special. Arrange the pickle on a charcuterie board alongside various cheeses, nuts, and fruits.

How to Store This spicy green apple pickle Recipe

Refrigerate the spicy green apple pickle in airtight, sterilized glass jars. It should keep well for several weeks, up to a month or two.

For long term storage, packing the pickle in sterilised jars with clean utensils and topping with a layer of mustard oil helps to expand the shelf life. Freezing isn’t recommended as it can alter the texture of the apples. As it sits, the flavors will continue to meld and deepen, becoming even more delicious.

Tips to Make This spicy green apple pickle Recipe

For a tangier flavour, use slightly unripe green apples. Granny Smith apples are a reliable choice, but feel free to experiment with other tart varieties.

Adjust the amount of red chili powder to suit your spice tolerance. Start with less and add more if needed. Mustard oil has a distinct pungent flavor. If you’re not a fan, vegetable oil can be used as a substitute, but it will alter the taste slightly. Make sure to temper the hot mustard oil, letting it cool a little. The process takes the harshness out of the mustard oil.

If the pickle seems too dry, add a tablespoon or two of additional mustard oil during the cooking process. Ensure all equipment used is clean and dry to maximize shelf life. Also, the Spicy Loaded Fries are worth a try if you love spicy foods.

Helpful Notes for This spicy green apple pickle Recipe

Using fresh, high quality spices is key to achieving the best flavor. Whole spices that are toasted and ground offer far more depth compared to pre ground spices.

Mustard oil is traditionally used in Indian pickles for its flavor and preservative properties. However, it has a distinct smell and taste that takes some getting used to. You can substitute another oil like canola or peanut, but the flavor profile will vary.

Salt is crucial not just for flavor but also as a preservative. Don’t skimp on it! Vinegar helps to prevent microbial growth and adds a pleasant tartness to the pickle.

Variation of This spicy green apple pickle Recipe

For a sweeter pickle, add a bit more sugar or jaggery. It will beautifully temper the spiciness. In winters, you can add ginger paste for a warming flavour. For less heat, deseed the chillies.

You could even try adding other vegetables like carrots or cauliflower for a mixed pickle. This spicy green apple pickle recipe works well as a base for other crunchy vegetables.

Conclusion

Now that you have the recipe for this flavorful spicy green apple pickle, it’s time to get into the kitchen and try it out. It’s a taste of nostalgia with a modern twist, a condiment that will quickly become a staple in your pantry. I truly hope this delicious recipe adds a bit of spice to your life. Don’t hesitate to share your experiences or variations in the comments below! I can’t wait to hear your stories of this spicy green apple pickle.

Print

Spicy Green Apple Pickle: The BEST Easy Achar Recipe

---

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 2-3 cups 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

A spicy and tangy Indian pickle made with green apples, mustard oil, and a blend of aromatic spices. This apple achar recipe adds a burst of flavor to any meal

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 kg Green Apples, firm and tart
• 1/2 cup Mustard Oil
• 2 tablespoons Fenugreek Seeds (Methi)
• 2 tablespoons Mustard Seeds (Rai)
• 2 tablespoons Fennel Seeds (Saunf), coarsely crushed
• 1 tablespoon Nigella Seeds (Kalonji)
• 1 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
• 2 to 4 tablespoons Red Chili Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Asafoetida (Hing)
• 3 to 4 tablespoons Salt, or to taste
• 1/4 cup Vinegar (white or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tablespoon Sugar (optional)

---

Instructions

1. Wash, core, and cut the green apples into small, bite size pieces.
2. In a dry pan, lightly roast both fenugreek and mustard seeds for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant. Grind coarsely in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
3. Heat the mustard oil in a large pan or wok until it reaches its smoking point. Turn off the heat and let it cool slightly for a minute.
4. Add asafoetida (hing) to the slightly cooled oil and let it sizzle for a few seconds. Add the crushed Fennel seeds and Nigella seeds and saute for a minute.
5. Add the turmeric powder and red chili powder to the oil. Stir quickly to prevent burning.
6. Gently add the chopped green apples to the pan. Mix well, ensuring that all the apple pieces are coated with the spice mixture.
7. Add salt and sugar (if using) to the mixture. Stir well. Cook the pickle on medium low heat until the apples soften slightly, but still retain some crunch about 15 to 20 minutes.
8. Stir in the vinegar and the ground mustard and fenugreek seeds and cook for another 5 minutes.
9. Allow the spicy green apple pickle to cool completely before transferring it to sterilized glass jars.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Condiment
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Calories: 50
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 4g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 4g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: apple pickle, achar, spicy, indian, condiment