Easy & Crunchy Refrigerator Dilly Beans
Make these quick pickled green beans, known as dilly beans, without canning. They are tangy, garlicky, and ready fast for snacking or serving as a zesty side dish.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 pints 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Quick Pickling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds fresh green beans, ends trimmed
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups white vinegar (5% acidity)
- 2 tablespoons pickling salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 8 cloves garlic, peeled and halved
- 4 heads fresh dill (or 4 teaspoons dried dill seed)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spicy dilly beans)
Instructions
- Prepare the green beans: Wash the green beans well. Trim the tough ends off each bean.
- Pack the jars: Take four clean pint-sized canning jars. Divide the garlic cloves, dill heads (or seed), and red pepper flakes (if using) evenly among the jars. Pack the green beans tightly into the jars, standing them upright.
- Make the brine: In a medium saucepan, combine the water, vinegar, pickling salt, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the salt and sugar dissolve completely.
- Pour the brine: Carefully pour the hot brine over the green beans in each jar, making sure the beans are completely covered. Leave about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of the jar.
- Remove air bubbles: Gently tap the jars on the counter or slide a thin, non-metallic utensil down the sides to release any trapped air bubbles. Add more brine if the liquid level drops below the 1/2 inch headspace mark.
- Seal and chill: Wipe the rims of the jars clean. Place the lids and rings on the jars, tightening them to fingertip tight. Let the jars cool on the counter for about an hour. Once cooled, place the jars in the refrigerator.
- Wait to eat: Allow the dilly beans to chill and pickle for at least 24 hours before eating. For the best crunchy pickled green beans flavor, wait 3 to 5 days. These refrigerator dilly beans are best eaten within 4 weeks.
Notes
- For a canning option, process these jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes after sealing for shelf stability.
- If you prefer a stronger garlic dill pickle flavor, increase the garlic cloves to 12.
- To make spicy dilly beans, add 1/2 teaspoon of dried red pepper flakes per jar.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 25
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 0
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 0