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Pickled Grape Leaves

wild grape leaves ready for pickling
Photo by Hank Shaw

If you live in grape country — and most of us do — May through early July is the best time to make pickled grape leaves to use for dolmas, or stuffed grape leaves, throughout the rest of the year. And just to be clear: When I say “grape country,” I am not just talking about Napa or Sonoma.

You don’t need to use wine grape leaves. Concord grape leaves work fine, as do wild grape leaves — and those grow in most of the United States.

Most grape leaves, wild or domesticated, fit well into pint jars. But sometimes you get some really large leaves that are better for quart jars; I have a Mission grape in my yard that has leaves this large. Use your judgment.

This method for pickled grape leaves in an acidic brine comes from an excellent book on canning, Linda Ziedrich’s The Joy of Pickling, one of the better pickling books to come out in recent years.

A few notes on seasonality: Most people pick grape leaves in late spring, when they are large and still fresh-looking. But you can gather them whenever, just so long as the leaves still look nice. The later in the year you gather, the tougher the leaves will be, and the longer you will need to boil them.

You’re general rule is to boil until the leaves turn Army green. This can be anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

Wild grape leaves, ready to be made into pickled grape leaves.
Print Recipe
5 from 8 votes

Preserved Grape Leaves

Any species of grape will work with this recipe. Make your preserved grapes leaves when the leaves are fully grown, but not old and battered by the weather. May and June are good months where I live. Once made these grape leaves will keep in the jar for a year or more.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time40 mins
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Greek
Servings: 1 pint
Calories: 69kcal
Author: Hank Shaw

Ingredients

  • 20 to 40 grape leaves, stems removed
  • Salt
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice or 1/2 teaspoon of citric acid

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add enough salt to make it taste like the sea. A general rule is 1/4 cup kosher salt to 1 quart of water. 
  • Get another large pot of water ready -- this is what you will can the grape leaves in. Remember you will need something to keep the bottom of the pint jars up off the bottom of the pot. I use a vegetable steamer, but a bunch of canning lids (the rings, not the gaskets) works well as a platform, too. Get a large bowl of ice water ready.
  • Boil the grape leaves for 30 to 60 seconds (see note about older leaves above), then plunge into the ice water to cool. Drain them once the leaves are all cool.
  • Take about six grape leaves at a time and roll them up into a cigar from the side -- not the top or bottom. You will need to fold over the leaf end to fit into the pint jars. Pack the grape leaves into the jar, making sure you have about 1 inch of head space at the top.
  • Sprinkle the lemon juice or citric acid into each pint jar. Bring the water you used to cook the grape leaves back to a boil and ladle it into the jars. Make sure the grape leaves are covered with the brine. Wipe the edge of the pint jar with a clean towel and seal the jar. Process for 15 minutes in a boiling water bath.

Nutrition

Calories: 69kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 226mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 16513IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 218mg | Iron: 2mg
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Comments

  1. Avatar for J.M.J.M. says

    October 22, 2021 at 5:03 am

    We do have grapes (blue, late in October harvest) & we mainly use them for topping our fermented glasses, in top of the veggies to keep them under the brine.
    Are there any other recipes without fillings, perhaps in layers with potato mash or? Any experiences here?

    Reply
  2. Avatar for Lynn (Nana)Lynn (Nana) says

    September 26, 2021 at 3:11 pm

    I’m so intrigued! I own the house my daughter and her family live in and there’s bountiful vintage grapevines in the backyard! I’ve used the grapes (I think they’re Concord (Michigan), but not sure) but never thought about using the leaves. Educate me please! I’ve never even heard of stuffed grape leaves and I’m not a fan of Greek food (I think it’s the feta), so I’m not sure if I should try but I really, REALLY hate to let ANYTHING go to waste anymore. Money is getting tighter and tighter, grocery stores are increasing their prices $1 at a time! So if I can save a buck or a dime, I’ll do it!
    As I said, please educate me. I have a whole yard of grapevines at my disposal!

    Reply
    • Avatar for LornaLorna says

      September 6, 2022 at 9:40 pm

      https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/greek-dolmades-recipe-stuffed-vine-leaves/

      Reply
  3. Avatar for LilyLily says

    July 9, 2021 at 11:06 pm

    I don’t actually boil them after bottling because I use them next day, but this recipe is so easy that my first time I made a batch of 60 or so and stuffed them and they flew off the table at a barbecue. Gone in minutes. The leaves were pretty old and thick but they made excellent x-large dolmas and were tender enough after the parboiling and brining.

    Reply
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Hank Shaw holding a rod and reel in the American River

Hi, my name is Hank Shaw; I’m a James Beard Award-winning author and chef. I started this site back in 2007 to help you get the most out of all things wild: fish, game, edible wild plants and mushrooms. I also write cookbooks, have a website dedicated to the intersection of food and nature, and do a podcast, too. If it’s wild, you’ll find it here. Hope you enjoy the site!

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