Learn how to make Chive Blossom Vinegar with this easy-to-follow recipe! Use it for homemade vinaigrettes, pasta salad, and more!
One of my greatest joys this spring has been my garden. Back in May, my husband and I invited over those in his family who live in CT, including three of our nieces and one of our nephews. I bought cute little watering cans and kid-sized shovels, and we helped the little ones (all under the age of 4) plant a few things in the garden. Our nephew Judah, who is just about to turn 2, had a wonderful time shoveling dirt from the garden bed into the grass !! I gave him my heartiest exclamation of “good job!!”, laughing all the while.
Of course, having a gaggle of toddlers plant in one’s garden is not necessarily a recipe for success! So Jon and I ended up having to move a few of the plants around. But maybe our beloved nieces and nephew were our good luck charm, because our garden has been THRIVING! We have zucchini, and eggplant, a few peppers, spearmint, peppermint, strawberries, marigolds, tomatoes, lemon balm, nasturtiums, kale, rainbow chard, and an overflowing herb garden.
The pièce de résistance of my garden is, of course, my 1 1/2 foot tall megalith of a chive plant. I planted it last year then let it be over the winter. It came back this spring in full force, growing out of control. I had dozens of chive blossoms that I needed to use up, and that’s how this recipe came to be!
Chive blossom vinegar is a gorgeous, delicious infused vinegar that has a delicate chive taste. It’s not overpowering at all, but still flavorful and zingy. I think it’s the best way to use up chive blossoms because it keeps their beautiful color (albeit more of a pink than purple shade) and taste! I hope you love this recipe as much as I do!
Chive Blossom Vinegar FAQs
What are some uses for chive blossom vinegar?
- Make a vinaigrette
- Mix in to a pasta salad
- Add it to marinades for seafood, meats, and tofu
- Drizzle into bread dipping oil
- Make a vinegar-based shrub cocktail
How long does chive blossom vinegar last?
It’ll last in a clean, airtight jar in the refrigerator for 4-6 months!
How long do I need to infuse the vinegar for?
I recommend infusing the vinegar in the refrigerator for at least 5-7 days. The longer you let it sit, the more pronounced the flavor will be. That being said, you can use the vinegar after a day of infusion; just note that it may not have a ton of chive flavor.
Do I need to wash the chive blossoms before using them?
Yes! Be sure to thoroughly rinse the chive blossoms to remove any dirt or particulates. DO NOT use soap to wash them! Just use water, then pat dry before adding to your jar.
Can you make chive blossom vinegar with garlic?
Absolutely! Though it will muddy up the chive flavor. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing! If
What are some other ways I can customize the vinegar?
There are a ton of ways you can customize this recipe to your liking. Try:
- Spicy variation: add jalapeños or habanero peppers to the jar
- Lemon Herb variation: add lemon peels from a washed lemon, basil, and thyme
- Spiced variation: add fragrant rosemary, black peppercorns, and juniper berries
- Lemongrass Ginger variation: the name says it all!
Chive Blossom Vinegar
Ingredients
- Chive Blossoms
- Vinegar of Choice
Instructions
- First, select a jar to use for the chive blossom infusion. Once you have your jar, harvest as many chive blossoms as needed to fill the jar. (Note – just harvest the blossoms, not the green chives themselves.)
- Rinse your chive blossoms, removing any dirt, then pat dry with a towel.
- Add the chive blossoms to the jar, then pour your vinegar of choice on top until the jar is completely filled. Using clean hands, submerge the blossoms so that they're entirely covered in vinegar.
- Cover the jar with an airtight lid and put in the fridge for 5-7 days for infusion.
- After 5-7 days have passed, strain the chive blossoms from the vinegar, then put the infused vinegar into a clean jar.
- Vinegar will keep in the fridge for 4-6 months.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- For this recipe, white wine vinegar or regular distilled white vinegar are ideal. You can use more assertive vinegars like apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar, but the chive flavor will be less pronounced, and you won’t get that beautiful pink color.
P.S.
For more recipes and New England lifestyle inspiration, be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok! If you make a recipe, please tag me in the photo and use the hashtag #wellandfull so I can see! I love seeing your creations!
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