Neon Night Pickle Board (Print Version)

Bright, tangy pickles, beet-colored eggs, and fresh fruits arranged on a striking black board.

# What You Need:

→ Pickles

01 - 1 cup mini cucumbers, sliced
02 - 1 cup rainbow carrots, sliced on the bias
03 - 1 cup radishes, thinly sliced
04 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1 cup white vinegar
06 - 1 cup water
07 - 2 tablespoons sugar
08 - 1 tablespoon kosher salt
09 - 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
10 - 1 teaspoon peppercorns

→ Beet-Dyed Eggs

11 - 6 large eggs
12 - 1 medium cooked beet, peeled and sliced
13 - 1 cup apple cider vinegar
14 - 1 cup water
15 - 1 tablespoon sugar
16 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Fruits

17 - 1 cup fresh blueberries
18 - 1 cup fresh blackberries
19 - 1 cup kiwi, peeled and sliced
20 - 1 cup mango, peeled and sliced
21 - 1 cup dragon fruit, cubed

→ Garnishes

22 - Microgreens or edible flowers
23 - Flaky sea salt

# How To Make:

01 - Combine white vinegar, water, sugar, kosher salt, mustard seeds, and peppercorns in a saucepan. Heat to a simmer, stirring until sugar and salt dissolve.
02 - Place cucumbers, carrots, radishes, and red onion into a heatproof container. Pour the hot pickling liquid over the vegetables. Allow to cool, then refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight for optimal flavor.
03 - Place eggs in a saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Cook for 8 to 9 minutes. Transfer eggs to ice water bath immediately, then peel once cooled.
04 - In a jar, combine sliced cooked beet, apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Add peeled eggs to the jar and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until desired color is achieved.
05 - Arrange pickled vegetables, beet-dyed eggs (halved or sliced), and fresh fruits on a large black serving board.
06 - Top with microgreens or edible flowers and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when you really only need 30 minutes of active work.
  • The pickles stay crisp and tangy for days, making it perfect for a make-ahead appetizer that actually gets better overnight.
  • Every color on the board tastes completely different, so guests experience a little flavor journey with every bite.
  • No cooking skills required, just patience and a sharp knife.
02 -
  • The pickle brine must be truly hot when poured over vegetables or they won't pickle properly, but it must cool before refrigerating or the vegetables will soften.
  • Beet dye requires patience, the color deepens slowly and overnight always beats a few hours if you want that neon magenta effect.
  • Fresh fruit oxidizes, so arrange it no more than 2 hours before serving or the cut surfaces will brown and lose impact.
03 -
  • Cold everything before arranging, warmth makes the fruits weep and condensation fogs your black board.
  • Arrange the heavy items first (pickles, eggs) then fill negative space with fruit, and garnish last so microgreens stay perky and don't wilt into the vinegar.
  • A squeeze bottle of extra brine on the side lets guests add more tang, turning this appetizer into something they can customize.
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