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The Ultimate Tangy Lemon Pickle – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

The Ultimate Tangy Lemon Pickle

A dazzling balance of tangy, spicy, and pungent notes, this homemade Indian Lemon Pickle (Nimbu Achar) is incredibly fresh, aromatic, and surprisingly simple to prepare. It elevates any meal and gets more delicious each day.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 32 one large 32 oz / 1L jar
Calories: 35

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs (900 g / 31.7 oz) lemons
  • ½ cup (120 ml / 4.1 fl oz) canola oil or other neutral oil
  • 30 fresh curry leaves
  • 2 tsp (10 ml) mustard seeds
  • ½ tsp fenugreek seeds
  • ¾-inch / 2cm piece ginger, peeled and grated
  • 5 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 4 Indian green chiles, sliced into thirds at an angle
  • 1½ tsp ground turmeric
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) salt
  • 2 tsp (10 ml) ground red chile powder (like Kashmiri)
  • Pro-Tips for Perfect Pickle
  • Ensure your jar is completely dry and sterilized to prevent spoilage and extend the pickle's shelf life.
  • For best results, use thin-skinned, juicy lemons like Meyer or Eureka lemons.

Method
 

  1. Prepare the lemons by quartering each one, then cutting each quarter in half again to create bite-sized wedges.
  2. Arrange the lemon pieces in a single layer in a steamer basket set over a pot of simmering water. Steam over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the peels are just tender.
  3. Remove from the steamer and set aside.
  4. Heat the oil in a wide pan or skillet over medium heat.
  5. Once hot, carefully add the curry leaves, mustard seeds, and fenugreek seeds.
  6. Let them sizzle and pop for about 30 seconds.
  7. Add the grated ginger, sliced garlic, green chiles, ground turmeric, salt, and ground red chile to the pan.
  8. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  9. Add the steamed lemon pieces to the pan with the spice mixture. Gently stir-fry to coat the lemons completely, cooking for another 2 minutes.
  10. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the pickle to cool completely to room temperature.
  11. Transfer the cooled pickle to a thoroughly clean, dry, or sterilized glass jar. Seal tightly. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to a month.
  12. Let the pickle rest in the jar for at least 2-3 days before consuming to allow the flavors to deepen and meld together.
  13. Adjust the red and green chiles to your personal spice preference; you can de-seed them for less heat.

Nutrition

Calories: 35kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 0.1gFat: 3g

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