Make crisp, flavorful dill pickles in your refrigerator with just 5 ingredients. This quick recipe skips canning and is perfect for small batches.
Author:Sarah Peterson
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:5 min
Total Time:20 min
Yield:Approx. 2 quarts
Category:Condiments
Method:Refrigerator Pickling
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 pounds Kirby cucumbers, washed and sliced 1/4-inch thick
2 cups white vinegar
2 cups water
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon sugar
4 cloves garlic, smashed
1 teaspoon dill seeds
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Prepare your jars: Wash and dry two 1-quart jars or four 1-pint jars.
Pack the jars: Divide the cucumber slices, garlic cloves, dill seeds, mustard seeds, and red pepper flakes (if using) evenly between the prepared jars.
Make the brine: In a medium saucepan, combine the white vinegar, water, kosher salt, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the salt and sugar dissolve.
Fill the jars: Carefully pour the hot brine over the cucumbers in the jars, making sure to cover them completely. Leave about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top.
Cool and seal: Let the jars cool on the counter for about 1 hour. Then, screw on the lids and transfer the jars to your refrigerator.
Chill: Allow the pickles to chill in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before serving. They will be best after 2-3 days.
Notes
For extra crisp pickles, you can add a grape leaf or a piece of horseradish root to each jar.
Adjust the garlic and spices to your preference.
These pickles will last for about 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator.
If you prefer sweet pickles, increase the sugar to 1/4 cup and add 1/4 cup of thinly sliced onion.