"One Love" Haitian Pikliz Recipe

Want to experience Haitian cuisine? Then try the pickled Haitian condiment known as pikliz (pronounced - pick lees)- a delicious, sweet, and spicy Caribbean slaw made out of cabbage, carrot, onions, hot peppers plus vinegar and lime juice.

I think of it more as Haitian hot sauce, cause it's not used in the context of how we Americans think of slaw. This spicy dish is more of an add-on enahncer/condiment suitable for various meat dishes.

Haitian Pikliz (picklese) is not only a delicious and spicy dish, but it's also a representation of Haitian culture. This dish is known for its unique flavors and aromas, and it's definitely something you'll want to add to your list of must-try foods!

I'm a believer in that we should eat more cabbage. Making pikliz is an effort to do just that.

What is pikliz?

Pikliz is an important food from Haiti and is made from cabbage, carrots, onions/shallot, scotch bonnets, vinegar and lime juice. It's a spicy condiment that is similar to a Haitian cole slaw in terms of its use. It is used to add flavor and heat to various dishes such as rice, chicken, and fish.

Beats and Eats (music to pair with pikliz)

Pikliz adds a spicy kick to everything but in a good with. It's got heat depending on how you make it, but it isn't an unpleasant heat. Actually, it's quite the opposite! Pikliz makes everything mo better. It's got that "One Love" vibe that brings unity to a dish.

It's a staple item in the majority of Haitian household life. Vinegar and cabbage serve as base. The warm flavor combined with the acidity makes this combination ideal for fried foods or basically anything you like. This cabbage has a crunchy texture that's ideal for rice. The Haitians practically mix pikliz with most things.

Occasionally people jazz their pikliz up with additional ingredients such as garlic, peppercorns, and scallions. These fiery foods are usually served as condiments in other Haitian recipes particularly fried dishes such as griot (fried pork chunks) fried or stewed chicken, or tasso (goat or beef).

Pickled Cabbage Ingredients

Below you can find everything necessary to make this recipe perfect each time! Cabbage is the main ingredient. Vinegar with distillation – Adds depth and taste to cabbage while ensuring an extremely long storage life for cabbages.

• Cabbage, shredded
• Carrots, thinly sliced or coarsely grated
• Onions, thinly sliced
• Scallions/Green Onions
• Bell Pepper
• Scotch bonnet peppers (habanero peppers can be substituted)
• Distilled White vinegar
• Kosher Salt
• Black Peppercorns
• Limes
• Sour Orange

How to make Haitian pikliz (step by step)

Step 1: Make Hot Pepper Paste

Using a food processor of blender, blend lime juice and scotch bonnet peppers

Step 2: Make Vegetable Mixture

Add thinly sliced vegetables to a large bowl

Mix with the vegetables together well using your hands or tongs.

Step 3: Combine Paste and Vegetables

Add mixture to a fairly large glass bottle or mason jar. Add the salt plus the peppercorns. Add the vinegar filling about ¾ of the bottle. If you need more vinegar feel free to add more.

Give the jar a few shakes to help the salt dissolve

Store in the refrigerator and use accordingly.

Serve with meat like fried pork or other fried foods. Also great served as a topping for baked fish like panko crusted cod.

Cooking Considerations and Tips

This recipe is a cinch to make. At the end of the day chopping vegetables will be the worst of it. To make life easier use a mandolin, vegetable peeler, or cheese grater to slice up your vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and onions.

Use fresh, crunchy vegetables. This will ensure that your pikliz is full of flavor and texture.

Occasionally people jazz their pikliz up with additional ingredients such as garlic, peppercorns, cloves, and scallions.

Bell pepper color doesn't matter. I actually go for a tri-color vibe for the presentation.

I like distilled white vinegar in this recipe, but if you prefer to add a bit of complexity or just sweeten things up a bit, I've seen recipes that substitute apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, or even red wine vinegar. I prefer simple, old-school white vinegar.

These fiery foods are traditionally served as condiments in other Haitian recipes particularly fried dishes such as griot (fried pork chunks) fried or stewed chicken, or tasso (goat or beef marinated in orange juice and fried).

Scotch bonnet pepper is pretty damn high on the heat scale. If you like your pikliz extra spicy, just add more scotch bonnet peppers to the mix. To take things down a notch, be diligent about limiting those seeds and veins. You can also add sugar.

Let the pikliz sit for at least an hour before serving, to allow the flavors to meld together.

Pikliz vs kimchi

Even though pikliz and kimchi go through a level of fermentation process, both foods do not necessarily come together. While pikliz's main ingredient is cabbage, it's composed of fewer vegetables than it does in kimchi and does not require brining. It is mainly vinegar saturated cabbage flavored with hot pepper. In contrast, kimchi contains an array of vegetables: different types of cabbage / radishes, cucumbers, celery, eggplant, bamboo shoots, lotus root, spinach, beets only to name a few and spices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Haitian Pikliz

Should pikliz be refrigerated?

Many people enjoy pikliz for its bold flavor and fiery kick. However, some folks find the spice level to be too much to handle. If you're sensitive to spice, you might want to refrigerate your pikliz. This will help to mellow the flavors and tone down the heat.

If you're looking for a more intense flavor, though, feel free to leave your pikliz out on the counter. Just be sure to consume it within a few days for maximum freshness.

How long does pikliz last?

The vegetables are shredded and then mixed with salt, vinegar, and spices. The mixture is then left to ferment for a period of time, typically 1-2 weeks. After fermentation, the pikliz can be eaten as is or used as a condiment. It will last for several months in the refrigerator.

The vegetables are chopped into small pieces and then left to marinate in the vinegar mixture for several hours. Once the pikliz has been properly pickled, it will last for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

Just be sure to give it a good stir before you use it, as the spices can settle at the bottom of the jar.

What is pikliz good with or what to eat with pikliz?

Pikliz is often served as an accompaniment to rice and red beans, or it can be used as a condiment for grilled meats like flank steak or grilled pork chops. But it is traditionally served with fried foods (fried catfish, fried cornish hen, hot water cornbread) as well as rich foods (oxtail or pepperpot) for balance.

Whether you're using it as a dipping sauce or a topping, pikliz is a great way to add flavor to your food.

Pikliz can also be added to sandwiches or used as a topping for pizza or burgers.

Is pikliz vegan?

Pikliz is made from a variety of vegetables, including chili peppers, cabbage, carrots, and onions. These vegetables are pickled in vinegar and spices, resulting in a tangy and flavorful condiment. Best of all, pikliz is low in calories and fat-free, making it a healthy option for those who are watching their weight. To answer your question yes it is.

Pikliz is a spicy and tangy dish made from shredded cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers. It's often served as a side dish or condiment, and it's perfect for cooling down on a hot day. This recipe is easy to follow, and it only takes about 20 minutes to make. If you're looking for something new to add to your summer menu, give pikliz a try!

Is pikliz fermented?

This recipe does not call for fermenting, but you can ferment to make this pikliz even better.

For similar recipes as other Haitian food recipes try these:

Haitian Epis Seasoning

Haitian Soup Joumou

Haitian Spaghetti

Southern Chow Chow

Zhoug Sauce

Harissa Sauce

For a few other cabbage-based recipes try this Southern fried cabbage or Whole Smoked Cabbage.

Pikliz is a staple in Haitian food, and for good reason. This spicy dish is easy to make and incredibly delicious. If you’re looking for something new to add to your rotation, give pikliz a try. We promise you won’t be disappointed. Ready to get cooking? See below for the recipe and instructions.

If you make this authentic Haitian pikliz recipe or any other from the site, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.

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