Transform your cucumbers into crunchy, tangy delights with this easy refrigerator pickles recipe. These pickles are a fantastic addition to sandwiches, burgers, or just as a snack on their own. With minimal ingredients and no canning required, you'll have a jar of homemade pickles ready to enjoy in just a couple of days.
When preparing this recipe, you may need to seek out a few specific ingredients that aren't always in a typical pantry. Kosher salt is preferred for its pure, flaky texture. Fresh dill and bay leaf are essential for authentic flavor, while crushed red pepper flakes add a subtle heat. Make sure to grab an english hothouse cucumber for its seedless, crisp quality.
Ingredients For Easy Refrigerator Pickles Recipe
Water: The base of the brine that helps dissolve the salt and infuse the flavors into the cucumbers.
White vinegar: Provides the tangy, acidic backbone of the pickling solution.
Kosher salt: A pure, non-iodized salt that helps create the perfect brine.
Black peppercorns: Adds a subtle, aromatic spiciness to the pickles.
Garlic: Infuses a robust, savory flavor into the pickling brine.
Fresh dill: Essential for a classic dill pickle taste, offering a fresh, herbaceous note.
Bay leaf: Enhances the depth of flavor with a subtle, aromatic essence.
Crushed red pepper flakes: Adds a touch of heat to the pickles.
English hothouse seedless cucumber: Preferred for its crisp texture and seedless nature, perfect for pickling.
One reader, Joleen Davidson says:
This easy refrigerator pickles recipe is fantastic! The pickles are crisp, tangy, and full of flavor. The garlic and dill add a wonderful aroma. Perfect for snacking or adding to sandwiches. Simple to make and absolutely delicious!
Key Techniques for Crafting Perfect Refrigerator Pickles
How to slice cucumbers: Use a sharp knife or a mandoline to slice the cucumber into thin, even rounds for consistent pickling. How to sterilize jars: Ensure the jars are clean and sterilized by washing them in hot, soapy water and rinsing well, or by running them through a dishwasher cycle. How to combine ingredients: Mix the water, vinegar, salt, peppercorns, garlic, dill, and bay leaf thoroughly to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed. How to refrigerate properly: Place the jars in the refrigerator and ensure they are sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent contamination.
How To Make Easy Refrigerator Pickles
Enjoy tasty homemade pickles anytime with this refrigerator pickles recipe. The pickles are crisp with the right balance of flavors from the brine.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1½cupswater
- 3tbspwhite vinegaror apple cider vinegar
- 1½tbspkosher saltor pickling salt
- 2tspblack peppercorns
- 5clovesgarlicpeeled
- 6sprigsfresh dilllarge
- 1bay leaf
- ½tspcrushed red pepper flakesto taste
- 1English hothouse seedless cucumberlarge, sliced into rounds or spears
Instructions
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Add the water, vinegar, salt, peppercorns, garlic, dill and bay leaf to a large jar, or divide the mixture evenly between two small jars and stir to combine.
-
Add the sliced cucumbers to the jars. Then place the lids on the jars, and shake to combine.
-
Refrigerate for at least 2 days before eating. The pickles will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
- Calories: 11.72kcal
- Fat: 0.09g
- Saturated Fat: 0.03g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g
- Carbohydrates: 2.55g
- Fiber: 0.45g
- Sugar: 0.67g
- Protein: 0.46g
- Sodium: 210.51mg
- Calcium: 15.38mg
- Potassium: 75.02mg
- Iron: 0.26mg
- Vitamin A: 3.53µg
- Vitamin C: 1.82mg
Crucial Technique for Achieving Crisp Refrigerator Pickles
To ensure your cucumbers stay crisp, slice them evenly and not too thin. This helps them maintain their texture during the pickling process. Additionally, you can soak the cucumber slices in ice water for about 30 minutes before adding them to the brine. This extra step can help enhance their crunchiness.
Time-Saving Tips for Easy Refrigerator Pickles Recipe
Pre-mix the brine: Combine the water, vinegar, salt, and spices in advance and store in the refrigerator. This way, you can quickly add cucumbers when ready.
Use a mandoline: Slice the cucumbers quickly and uniformly with a mandoline slicer to save time and ensure even pickling.
Batch preparation: Double or triple the recipe to make multiple jars at once, reducing the frequency of preparation.
Pre-peel garlic: Use pre-peeled garlic cloves to save time on peeling and chopping.
Label jars: Mark the jars with the date of preparation to easily track the pickling time.
Substitute Ingredients For Easy Refrigerator Pickles Recipe
water - Substitute with vegetable broth: Adds a richer flavor to the pickles.
white vinegar - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Provides a slightly sweeter and fruitier taste.
kosher salt - Substitute with sea salt: Offers a similar texture and flavor profile.
black peppercorns - Substitute with white peppercorns: Delivers a milder peppery flavor.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Adds a subtle onion-garlic flavor.
fresh dill - Substitute with dried dill: Use about one-third the amount for a similar flavor.
bay leaf - Substitute with thyme: Provides a different but complementary herbal note.
crushed red pepper flakes - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Adds a similar level of heat.
english hothouse seedless cucumber - Substitute with Persian cucumber: Offers a similar texture and flavor.
Creative Ways to Serve Homemade Refrigerator Pickles
Select a stylish jar: Use a clear, high-quality glass jar to showcase the vibrant colors of the cucumbers and dill. This will make the presentation visually appealing.
Slice cucumbers uniformly: Ensure the cucumbers are sliced evenly, either into rounds or spears, to create a consistent and professional look.
Layer ingredients artistically: Arrange the cucumber slices in the jar in a neat, overlapping pattern. Interlace with sprigs of fresh dill and garlic cloves for a visually striking effect.
Use a decorative lid: Seal the jar with a decorative lid or a piece of fabric tied with twine to add a rustic yet elegant touch.
Add a garnish: When serving, place a small sprig of fresh dill and a few peppercorns on top of the pickles for an extra pop of color and texture.
Serve with complementary dishes: Pair the pickles with a charcuterie board featuring a selection of cheeses, cured meats, and artisan bread. This enhances the overall dining experience and showcases the pickles as a gourmet accompaniment.
Provide tasting utensils: Offer small, elegant forks or tongs for guests to easily pick up the pickles without disturbing the arrangement, maintaining the presentation's integrity.
Highlight the brine: Pour a small amount of the brine into a separate, clear dish to showcase its clarity and the suspended peppercorns and red pepper flakes. This adds an element of sophistication and allows guests to appreciate the craftsmanship behind the pickles.
Essential Equipment for Making Easy Refrigerator Pickles
Large jar: A container to hold all the ingredients and cucumbers, allowing them to pickle properly.
Small jars: Alternative containers if you prefer to divide the mixture into smaller portions.
Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring the water and vinegar.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the kosher salt, black peppercorns, and crushed red pepper flakes.
Knife: Used to slice the cucumber into even pieces.
Cutting board: A safe surface to slice the cucumber on.
Mixing spoon: Useful for stirring the mixture to ensure all ingredients are well combined.
Lids: To seal the jars and keep the pickles fresh in the refrigerator.
Refrigerator: Essential for storing the pickles and allowing them to develop their flavor over time.
Proper Storage and Freezing Methods for Refrigerator Pickles
These easy refrigerator pickles can be stored in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Make sure to keep them submerged in the pickling liquid for optimal flavor and texture.
If you want to extend the shelf life of your homemade refrigerator pickles, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. However, keep in mind that the texture of the cucumbers may change slightly after thawing, becoming softer and less crisp.
To freeze the pickles, place them in a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag, ensuring that they are completely covered in the pickling liquid. Remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
When you're ready to enjoy your frozen pickles, simply transfer them to the refrigerator and allow them to thaw overnight. The pickles will be best consumed within a few days of thawing for optimal quality and flavor.
If you plan on making a larger batch of refrigerator pickles, consider dividing them into smaller portions before freezing. This way, you can easily thaw only the amount you need without having to defrost the entire batch at once.
Surprising Fact About Refrigerator Pickles You Might Not Know
A fun fact about this refrigerator pickles recipe is that it uses an English hothouse seedless cucumber, which is known for its thin skin and mild flavor. This type of cucumber is ideal for pickling because it absorbs the brine quickly, resulting in flavorful pickles in just a few days.
Budget-Friendly: Making Refrigerator Pickles at Home
This easy refrigerator pickles recipe is highly cost-effective for a household. The ingredients, such as cucumber, white vinegar, and garlic, are inexpensive and readily available. The preparation is simple, requiring minimal effort and time. For a household of four, the approximate cost is around $5-$7 USD, making it an affordable way to enjoy homemade pickles. Overall Verdict: 9/10.
Are Refrigerator Pickles Healthy or Unhealthy?
This easy refrigerator pickles recipe can be considered relatively healthy due to its low-calorie nature and the use of natural ingredients. The cucumbers themselves are a good source of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin K, vitamin C, and potassium. The recipe also includes garlic and dill, which offer additional health benefits like boosting the immune system and providing antioxidants.
However, there are a few aspects of the recipe that could be improved to make it even healthier:
- Reduce the amount of salt used in the recipe to lower the sodium content
- Use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar for added health benefits, such as improved digestion and blood sugar control
- Consider adding other vegetables like carrots or bell peppers to increase the nutritional value and variety of the pickles
To further enhance the healthiness of this recipe, you could experiment with additional spices and herbs that offer both flavor and health benefits. For example:
- Turmeric, which has anti-inflammatory properties
- Ginger, known for its digestive benefits and ability to reduce inflammation
- Mustard seeds, which contain beneficial nutrients like selenium and magnesium
By incorporating these suggestions, you can elevate the easy refrigerator pickles recipe to be an even healthier and more nutritious snack option.
Editor's Opinion: Why This Refrigerator Pickle Recipe Stands Out
This easy refrigerator pickles recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy fresh, tangy pickles with minimal effort. The combination of white vinegar, kosher salt, and fresh dill creates a classic, well-balanced brine. The addition of garlic, black peppercorns, and crushed red pepper flakes adds depth and a hint of spice. Using an English hothouse seedless cucumber ensures a crisp texture. The process is straightforward, and the pickles are ready to enjoy in just a couple of days. Perfect for a quick snack or as a flavorful addition to sandwiches and salads.
Enhance Your Easy Refrigerator Pickles Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Delicious Alternatives to Traditional Refrigerator Pickles
Why trust this Easy Refrigerator Pickles Recipe:
This easy refrigerator pickles recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves crunchy cucumbers and tangy flavors. With simple ingredients like white vinegar, fresh dill, and garlic, it delivers a burst of freshness in every bite. The recipe is straightforward and requires minimal effort, making it perfect for beginners. Plus, the pickles are ready to enjoy in just two days and can be stored for up to a week. Trust this recipe for its simplicity, delicious taste, and the satisfaction of homemade pickles.
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