Name: Easy Homemade Pickles Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 medium-large cucumber; ½ cup water; ½ cup rice vinegar; 1½ tbsp maple syrup; 1½ tsp sea salt; ¼ tsp red pepper flakes; 20 twists of freshly ground black pepper; 2 fresh dill; 2 garlic cloves; 1 bay leaf

Dive into the world of tangy and fresh flavors with this easy homemade pickle recipe. Whether you prefer pickle rounds or spears, this recipe offers a delightful crunch with the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and spicy elements. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy cucumbers in a whole new light and add a zesty touch to your meals.

Photos of Easy Homemade Pickles Recipe

Some ingredients in this recipe might not be staples in every kitchen. Rice vinegar offers a mild and slightly sweet acidity compared to other vinegars. Maple syrup adds a unique sweetness. Fresh dill and bay leaf bring aromatic flavors, essential for authentic pickles. Ensure you have these items before starting your pickling adventure.

Ingredients for Easy Homemade Pickles Recipe

Cucumber: The star of the show, providing the crunchy base for the pickles.

Water: Helps to dilute the vinegar and balance the flavors.

Rice vinegar: Adds a mild, slightly sweet acidity.

Maple syrup: Brings a unique touch of sweetness to the pickles.

Sea salt: Enhances the overall flavor and helps with preservation.

Red pepper flakes: Adds a hint of spice for those who like a kick.

Black pepper: Offers a subtle heat and complexity.

Dill: An aromatic herb that gives pickles their classic flavor.

Garlic: Adds a robust and savory note.

Bay leaf: Infuses the pickles with a slightly floral and herbal flavor.

One reader, Benetta Sherrod says:

This easy homemade pickles recipe is fantastic! The pickles turned out crisp and flavorful with just the right amount of tang. The addition of maple syrup adds a unique sweetness that balances perfectly with the spices. Highly recommend for a quick and delicious pickle fix!

Benetta Sherrod

Pickling Techniques You Need to Know

How to slice cucumbers: For pickle rounds, slice the cucumber(s) into thin rounds, about ⅛-inch thick. For spears, slice them in half lengthwise, then slice the halves lengthwise into quarters, then slice the quarters lengthwise into eighths.

How to dissolve salt: In a liquid measuring cup or bowl, combine the water, vinegar, maple syrup, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Stir for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until most of the salt has dissolved into the liquid.

How to arrange cucumbers in a jar: Place the cucumbers into a wide-mouth jar about 3 to 4 inches in diameter, tall enough to offer at least 1 inch of extra space on top. For pickle spears, ensure that all the pickles fit snugly, vertically.

How to add flavorings: Top the cucumbers with the dill and garlic. Tuck the bay leaf into the side of the jar. Pour all of the liquid over the cucumbers so they're fully submerged.

How To Make Easy Homemade Pickles

Skip the store-bought pickles, and make your own tangy and fresh homemade pickles! You can easily have nicely spiced and crisp pickles soaked in vinegar!

Preparation: 15 minutes

Cooking:

Chill Time: 3 hours

Total: 3 hours 15 minutes

Serves:

Ingredients

1medium-large cucumber,or 2 small cucumbers ideally 12oz in total, such as English cucumbers, or Kirby, or Persian
½cupwater,at room temperature, or cooler
½cuprice vinegar
1½tbspmaple syrup,or sugar
1½tspsea salt,fine
¼tspred pepper flakes,optional, for heat
20twists of freshly ground black pepper
2fresh dill,leafy sprigs, roughly chopped about ¼ cup
2garlic cloves,peeled, smashed
1bay leaf

Instructions

For pickle rounds, slice the cucumber(s) into thin rounds, about ⅛-inch thick. Or, for spears, slice them in half lengthwise, then slice the halves lengthwise into quarters, then slice the quarters lengthwise into eighths.
If the spears are long (from one long cucumber), slice them through the middle so they’re not too tall for your jar. Set aside.
In a liquid measuring cup or bowl, combine the water, vinegar, maple syrup, salt, red pepper flakes (if using), and black pepper. Stir for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until most of the salt has dissolved into the liquid. Set aside.
Place the cucumbers into a wide-mouth jar about 3 to 4-inches in diameter, tall enough to offer at least 1 inch of extra space on top (for pickle spears, it’s important that all the pickles fit snugly, vertically—a wide-mouth pint-sized mason jar would work well).
Top the cucumbers with the dill and garlic. Tuck the bay leaf into the side of the jar. Pour all of the liquid over the cucumbers so they’re fully submerged.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (for pickle rounds) or at least 3 hours (for pickle spears). The flavor will continue to develop over the next couple of days.
These pickles can be kept for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

Recipe Notes

For sweeter pickles (bread and butter pickles), add a lot more maple syrup (which will make the mixture more brown) or sugar. Add it to the vinegar mixture, to taste, before pouring it over the cucumbers. Sweetness is subjective.
Please do not attempt to can the recipe. This recipe is a “refrigerator pickle” recipe. It is not designed for canning in a water bath, and it has not been tested for canning safety. Follow a recipe specifically designed for canning instead.

Nutrition

Calories: 86.57kcal
Fat: 0.34g
Saturated Fat: 0.11g
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.06g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.10g
Carbohydrates: 18.91g
Fiber: 1.73g
Sugar: 11.69g
Protein: 1.60g
Sodium: 681.47mg
Calcium: 71.40mg
Potassium: 327.36mg
Iron: 1.10mg
Vitamin A: 19.80µg
Vitamin C: 7.36mg

Pro Tip for Perfecting Your Homemade Pickles

To ensure your pickles have a consistent flavor, make sure to slice the cucumber evenly. Using a mandoline slicer can help achieve uniform pickle rounds that will absorb the brine more evenly.

Time-Saving Tips for Making Homemade Pickles

Pre-slice cucumbers: Slice the cucumbers in advance and store them in the refrigerator to save time when you're ready to make the pickles.

Use a mandoline: A mandoline slicer can quickly and uniformly slice cucumbers into rounds, saving you time and ensuring even pickling.

Pre-mix brine: Mix the brine ingredients ahead of time and store in the refrigerator. This way, you can just pour it over the cucumbers when you're ready.

Batch process: Make a larger batch of pickles at once. They keep for up to 3 weeks, so you won't need to make them as often.

Use wide-mouth jars: Wide-mouth jars make it easier to pack the cucumbers quickly and efficiently.

Substitute Ingredients For Easy Homemade Pickles Recipe

cucumber - Substitute with zucchini: Zucchini has a similar texture and can absorb the pickling brine well.
water - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can add an extra layer of flavor to the pickles.
rice vinegar - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar has a similar acidity and a slightly fruity flavor that complements pickles.
maple syrup - Substitute with honey: Honey provides a similar sweetness and viscosity, making it a good alternative.
sea salt - Substitute with kosher salt: Kosher salt has a similar texture and salinity, making it a suitable replacement.
red pepper flakes - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper can provide a similar level of heat, though it is more finely ground.
freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar flavor profile but is slightly milder.
fresh dill - Substitute with dried dill: Dried dill can be used in smaller quantities to provide a similar flavor.
garlic cloves - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar garlicky flavor, though it is less pungent.
bay leaf - Substitute with thyme: Thyme can add a similar earthy note to the pickles.

Creative Ways to Serve Homemade Pickles

Choose the right jar: Select a wide-mouth pint-sized mason jar to ensure the cucumber spears fit snugly and vertically. This not only helps in even pickling but also presents a neat and organized look.
Slice uniformly: For a professional presentation, ensure the cucumber slices or spears are cut uniformly. This consistency in size will make the pickles look more appealing and ensure even flavor distribution.
Layering for aesthetics: When placing the cucumbers in the jar, layer them carefully. For rounds, create a spiral pattern. For spears, arrange them in a circular pattern around the edge of the jar, leaving the center open for the dill and garlic.
Garnish placement: Place the dill and garlic strategically on top of the cucumbers. Tuck the bay leaf into the side of the jar where it is visible. This not only infuses flavor but also adds visual appeal.
Pouring the brine: Pour the brine mixture over the cucumbers slowly and evenly to ensure they are fully submerged. The clear liquid should showcase the vibrant green of the cucumbers and the herbs.
Chill and serve: After the pickles have marinated, serve them chilled. For rounds, use a small, elegant dish. For spears, arrange them upright in a glass or ceramic container, allowing the dill and garlic to be visible for an added touch of sophistication.
Accompanying elements: Pair the pickles with complementary elements like a small dish of sea salt or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes on the side. This not only enhances the flavor but also adds to the visual presentation.
Final touch: Add a small sprig of fresh dill on top of the pickles just before serving. This fresh garnish will elevate the presentation and provide a burst of color and aroma.

Essential Tools for Making Pickles at Home

Cutting board: A sturdy surface to safely slice the cucumber and other ingredients.
Chef's knife: Essential for slicing the cucumber into rounds or spears and for cutting the garlic cloves.
Liquid measuring cup: Used to accurately measure the water and rice vinegar.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the maple syrup, sea salt, and red pepper flakes.
Mixing bowl: Useful for combining the water, vinegar, maple syrup, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.
Stirring spoon: Needed to stir the liquid mixture until the salt dissolves.
Wide-mouth jar: Ideal for storing the cucumber slices or spears and ensuring they are fully submerged in the pickling liquid.
Lid: To cover the jar and keep the pickles fresh in the refrigerator.
Refrigerator: Essential for chilling the pickles and allowing the flavors to develop.

Storing and Freezing Homemade Pickles: A Guide

These easy homemade pickles can be stored in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Make sure the pickles are completely submerged in the pickling liquid to ensure they stay fresh and flavorful.
If you want to store them for longer, you can freeze the pickles for up to 2 months:
- Place the pickles in a freezer-safe container or bag, making sure to remove as much air as possible.
- When ready to use, thaw the pickles in the refrigerator overnight.
- Note: Freezing may slightly alter the texture of the pickles, making them a bit softer, but they will still taste delicious.
To maintain the best quality and flavor, consume the pickles within the recommended storage times.
If you notice any signs of spoilage, such as mold or an off smell, discard the pickles immediately.

Interesting Trivia About Pickles

A fun fact about this recipe is that using rice vinegar instead of traditional white vinegar gives the pickles a slightly sweeter and milder flavor, which pairs well with the maple syrup.

Is Making Pickles at Home Cost-Effective?

This easy homemade pickles recipe is highly cost-effective for a household. With basic ingredients like cucumber, rice vinegar, and garlic, the total cost is minimal. The recipe yields a substantial amount of pickles, making it a great value. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $5-$7 USD. Overall Verdict: 9/10.

Are Homemade Pickles Healthy or Unhealthy?

This homemade pickle recipe is relatively healthy, as it uses natural ingredients and avoids artificial preservatives. Here's a breakdown of the health aspects:

Cucumbers are low in calories and rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K, vitamin C, and potassium
Rice vinegar is a low-calorie acidic component that helps preserve the pickles and adds flavor
Maple syrup is used as a natural sweetener, which is a healthier alternative to refined sugar
Sea salt is a natural preservative and provides essential minerals
Red pepper flakes and black pepper add flavor and may boost metabolism
Fresh dill and garlic offer additional health benefits, such as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties

However, it's important to note that the recipe contains a significant amount of sodium due to the salt content, which may be a concern for individuals with high blood pressure or those following a low-sodium diet.

To make this recipe even healthier, you could:

Reduce the amount of salt used in the brine, or experiment with using other natural preservatives like lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
Add more fresh herbs and spices to enhance the flavor without relying on salt, such as mustard seeds, coriander seeds, or fresh ginger
Include additional vegetables in the jar, like sliced onions, carrots, or bell peppers, to increase the nutrient content and add variety to your pickles
Use a sugar-free sweetener like stevia or erythritol instead of maple syrup to reduce the calorie and carbohydrate content

Editor's Opinion: Why This Pickle Recipe Stands Out

This easy homemade pickles recipe is a delightful blend of simplicity and flavor. The use of rice vinegar and maple syrup adds a unique twist, balancing tanginess with a hint of sweetness. Fresh dill and garlic infuse the cucumbers with aromatic depth, while red pepper flakes provide a subtle kick. The process is straightforward, making it accessible even for beginners. The pickles develop a more complex flavor over time, rewarding patience. Overall, this recipe offers a refreshing, crunchy treat that can elevate any meal.

Enhance Your Easy Homemade Pickles Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:

Grilled Chicken Skewers: Grilled Chicken Skewers: Imagine the smoky aroma of grilled chicken mingling with the tangy crunch of your homemade pickles. The juicy meat pairs perfectly with the crisp, vinegary bite, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate. A sprinkle of fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice elevate this dish to a whole new level.

Roasted Beet Salad: Roasted Beet Salad: The earthy sweetness of roasted beets contrasts beautifully with the sharpness of the pickles. Tossed with goat cheese, walnuts, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, this salad offers a delightful medley of textures and flavors. The vibrant colors make it as visually appealing as it is delicious.

Spicy Tuna Tartare: Spicy Tuna Tartare: The rich, buttery texture of tuna tartare, spiced with a hint of sriracha and soy sauce, finds a perfect companion in the crisp, acidic pickles. Served on a bed of avocado and garnished with microgreens, this dish is a sophisticated appetizer that tantalizes the taste buds.

Sweet Potato Fries: Sweet Potato Fries: The natural sweetness of sweet potato fries is a delightful counterpoint to the tangy, spicy notes of your pickles. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these fries are seasoned with a touch of smoked paprika and sea salt, making them an irresistible side.

Mango Salsa: Mango Salsa: The tropical sweetness of mango salsa, combined with the heat of jalapeños and the freshness of cilantro, creates a vibrant and refreshing side. The juicy, fruity flavors provide a delightful contrast to the sharp, briny pickles, making each bite a burst of summer in your mouth.

Delicious Alternatives to Traditional Pickle Recipes

Quick Pickled Red Onions: Transform your salads, tacos, and sandwiches with these vibrant, tangy pickled red onions. They add a burst of color and flavor to any dish and are ready in just a few hours.

Spicy Pickled Carrots: Add a zesty crunch to your meals with these spicy pickled carrots. Perfect as a snack or a side, these carrots bring a delightful heat and tang that will elevate your culinary creations.

Garlic Dill Pickled Green Beans: These garlic dill pickled green beans are a fantastic way to enjoy a crisp, flavorful snack. They're perfect for adding to a charcuterie board or as a garnish for your favorite cocktail.

Sweet And Spicy Pickled Jalapeños: For those who love a bit of heat, these sweet and spicy pickled jalapeños are a must-try. They offer a perfect balance of sweetness and spice, making them an irresistible addition to burgers, nachos, and more.

Classic Bread And Butter Pickles: Relive the nostalgia of summer picnics with these classic bread and butter pickles. Their sweet and tangy flavor pairs wonderfully with sandwiches and cheese platters.

Why trust this Easy Homemade Pickles Recipe:

This recipe is a perfect blend of simplicity and flavor. The use of rice vinegar and maple syrup creates a unique, tangy-sweet brine that elevates the taste of the cucumbers. Fresh dill and garlic add aromatic depth, while the red pepper flakes provide a subtle kick. With easy-to-follow instructions and common ingredients, these pickles are a foolproof way to enjoy homemade goodness. Plus, they can be stored for up to three weeks, ensuring you have a delicious, crunchy snack on hand.

Want to share your experience making these easy homemade pickles or have any tips to share? Join the discussion in the Food Preservation forum and let us know your thoughts on this simple and delicious recipe!

FAQ:

How long do these pickles last in the refrigerator?

These pickles can be kept for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.

Can I use a different type of vinegar?

Yes, you can use other types of vinegar like apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, but it will slightly change the flavor.

Do I have to use maple syrup?

No, you can substitute maple syrup with honey or even granulated sugar if you prefer.

Can I add other spices or herbs?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with other spices like mustard seeds, coriander seeds, or additional herbs like thyme or rosemary.

How soon can I eat the pickles?

For pickle rounds, you can eat them after at least 1 hour in the fridge. For pickle spears, wait at least 3 hours. The flavor will get better over the next couple of days.