Chive Blossom Vinegar

Chive blossom vinegar is one of the simplest ways to use fresh chive blossoms while they are in season. With just two ingredients and a few minutes of prep, you can create a homemade flavored vinegar that brings a mild onion flavor and beautiful color to salad dressings, salad, and more.

Here in New Hampshire, chive blossoms have a short window in late spring to early summer. Making this vinegar is an easy way to carry that season into the months ahead. I love using this flavored vinegar in my Lentil Salad, as it adds a delicate hint of oniony flavor. 

Ingredients and Equipment

• Fresh Chive Blossoms: 1 cup of fresh blossoms. You want enough to fill a jar about halfway.
• White wine vinegar or Champagne vinegar: 1½ cups of vinegar. You will want to use a mild vinegar so that it does not take away from the flavor of the chive blossoms.
• Mason jar with lid: pint size jar. Or any clean glass jar with a lid.
• Mesh strainer or cheesecloth: for straining the blossoms.

How to Make Chive Blossom Vinegar

1. Prepare the blossoms: after harvesting your fresh blossoms rinse them thoroughly to remove any debris or insects that might be stuck in the blossom. A good method is to add the fresh picked blossoms to a large bowl and fill it with cold water. Swirl the blossoms around to help dislodge anything that might be stuck in the blossom. Let them soak for about 10 minutes and then lift the blossoms out of the water. Then rinse and spin in a salad spinner to remove any excess water, or lay on towels and let dry thoroughly.
2. Place the blossoms in a clean glass jar. Pour the vinegar over the blossoms and secure with a lid. You want to make sure you have enough vinegar to cover the flowers.
3. Let the blossoms infuse for about 1-2 weeks at room temperature, and in an area out of direct sunlight. For a more robust flavor, I recommend steeping for two weeks.
4. Once infused, strain the vinegar using a mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean glass jar or bottle. I use these Kilner bottles as they make for an elegant presentation and are easy to pour when using the blossom vinegar.

Note: For this recipe, 1 cup of chive flowers and 1½ cups of vinegar are used. This is just a guide. If you have more flowers or want to make a larger batch, adjust the ratio, making sure the flowers are fully submerged in the vinegar during steeping.

Once the flowers have been strained from the vinegar, do not reuse them; discard or compost them.

Storage

Store in a cool place out of direct sunlight. Fresh chive blossom vinegar does not need to be refrigerated. I personally keep mine in a cabinet with the rest of my vinegars.

Chive flower vinegar will last 2-3 months. After that, the flavor will start to degrade and that vibrant pink hue will begin to dissipate.

Ways to use Chive Blossom Vinegar

• Drizzle over green salads
• Use in a simple homemade vinaigrette
• Add to potato salad, or this Lentil Salad
• Splash into sautéed greens
• Stir into grain bowls
• Use in marinades for tofu or vegetables

Gifts: If I have an abundance of chive flowers, I will make extra vinegar so that I have some for gifts. The beautiful pink-hue makes for a unique homemade gift. I use these Kilner bottles for storage but they also great for gifting.

Why You Will Want to Make This Vinegar

• Uses just 2 ingredients
• Preserves chive blossoms beyond their short season
• Adds a mild onion flavor without overpowering dishes
• Stores well for 2-3 months
• Easy way to build flavor in dishes without overpowering them

Conclusion

Chive blossom vinegar is a delightful ingredient that brings both flavor and beauty to your kitchen. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook looking to try something new, this infused vinegar is sure to become a favorite.

If you are looking for other ways to use Chive Blossoms so that you can make the most of them during their short season, check out my Chive Blossom Quiche recipe, as well as my post about What to Do with Chive Blossoms. This details several ways to use these delicious, delicate flowers. 

For other edible flowers from the garden, such as squash blossoms, check out this delicious Beer Batter Fried Zucchini Flowers recipe.

This post may contain affiliate links by which I may receive a small commission. All product links are items I personally use in my kitchen. 

If you make this homemade vinegar, I’d love it if you left a comment below!