Fiambre-Inspired Pickled Vegetable Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A colorful salad of pickled cabbage, carrots, and beets inspired by Guatemalan Fiambre tradition, offering a tangy and crunchy side dish. This latin american-inspired salads (vegetarian, gluten free) ready in about 15 minutes pairs green cabbage, shredded, carrots, julienned, cooked beets, diced into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 50 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 50 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large heatproof bowl, combine 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup water, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black peppercorns, and 2 bay leaves. Stir and heat in the microwave or on the stove until sugar and salt dissolve and mixture is hot but not boiling.
  2. Step 2: Place 3 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 cup julienned carrots, 1 cup diced cooked beets, and 1/2 thinly sliced white onion in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Step 3: Pour the hot pickling liquid over the vegetables and toss well to submerge. Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours, preferably overnight, to develop tangy flavors.
  4. Step 4: Before serving, drain pickled vegetables and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for brightness. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a side.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Fiambre-Inspired Pickled Vegetable Salad take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Fiambre-Inspired Pickled Vegetable Salad?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep green cabbage, shredded from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Fiambre-Inspired Pickled Vegetable Salad?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Fiambre-Inspired Pickled Vegetable Salad for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Fiambre-Inspired Pickled Vegetable Salad vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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