Our new favorite easy vegetables for kids are pickles, particularly of the not-cucumber kind. The effort involved in brining basically any veggie is minimal, with no cooking required and <10 minutes of prep time; the taste hits all the dopamine levers a small child favors: sweet, crunchy, tangy. If your child already likes pickles with and/or on sandwiches and burgers, expanding their tangy veggie snack or side dish repertoire to include other vegetables is more than just a no-brainer; it's a potential lifesaver.
But where to begin? Our recommendation: start with daikon radish. The white root veggie, omnipresent as a side in Korean cuisine, has the snap of jicama but absorbs pickling liquid better than about anything, giving it that just right balance of crunch and tang. You can double-up the pickling by pairing it with another veggie that may be more familiar to your child(ren), as we have done here with carrots, but we’re confident that it’ll be love at first bite when they try daikon–all the better, because you’ll have a big batch to trot out whenever and whatever calls for it. (See our tip in the “Serve” section below on how to prepare it the first time and/or for kids who prefer bite-size morsels.)
This easy vegetables for kids recipe relies on a short list of pantry staples and two sturdy vegetables that hold their crunch. The daikon does the heavy lifting, soaking up the sweet-and-tangy brine, while carrots add color, familiarity, and a slightly sweeter baseline flavor.
You’ll need daikon radish, baby carrots (optional but recommended if daikon is new to your child), white vinegar, rice vinegar, sugar, water, and salt. The dual-vinegar approach keeps the acidity bright without becoming harsh, and the sugar tempers that sharpness so the final result lands squarely in kid-friendly territory.
No stovetop cooking, no special equipment required for these easy vegetables for kids. The only “active” step beyond slicing is dissolving sugar in hot water.
Do I have to use sugar?
No. Sugar is not required for preservation, but it significantly softens the acidity of the vinegar and makes the flavor more appealing to kids. If avoiding refined sugar, monkfruit works well; honey can be used sparingly since it is sweeter than sugar.
How long do the pickled vegetables last?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and fully submerged in brine, they should keep for at least one week. Flavor deepens after the first 24 hours.
Can I use only one type of vinegar?
Yes. White vinegar or rice vinegar alone will work, but the combination creates a more balanced acidity. Apple cider vinegar is also a fine substitute.
How should I serve this to younger toddlers?
If long strips feel intimidating or unfamiliar, dice the daikon and carrots into small cubes. Bite-size pieces are easier to manage and often increase the likelihood of trying something new.
What else can I pickle this way?
This method works with cucumbers, red onions, jicama, bell peppers, or even thinly sliced zucchini. The formula—salt to draw out moisture, then submerge in a sweetened vinegar brine—remains the same.
And check out all our great toddler vegetable recipes!
These sweet and tangy pickled daikon and carrots are an easy vegetable option for kids who love crunchy, flavorful snacks. With no cooking required and simple pantry ingredients, they’re a make-ahead side that pairs perfectly with sandwiches, burgers, or nuggets.
Pickled radish is a common side dish when eating Korean fried chicken, so it’s no surprise that it saddles up nicely to nuggies, too. If your child is already a fan of munching on raw carrots, do nothing more than halve any very long strips; if not, the move here is to dice the radish into small cubes that your child can pop and down in one bite.
Sugar is not necessary to brine the vegetables; however, it does tame the acidity of the vinegar and makes the flavor more enjoyable, especially for children. Monkfruit is a natural sugar alternative, and saves you from having to use Splenda or Stevia; you could also use honey, but given that it is sweeter than sugar just add a squirt or two to the hot water.
Servings 8
Serving Size 3 strips of daikon
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Brad (the Dad) is the founder and Chief Recipe Officer of New Dad's Kitchen. His own cooking/feeding journey started humbly during his son's infancy, preparing and managing his son's bottle intake in order to support his wife; it has since blossomed into a full-on passion to feed his child and family delicious and healthy meals that can satisfy both a toddler and his very tired parents.
