Description
Crisp homemade refrigerator pickles bring garden-fresh crunch to summer tables with minimal effort. Quick cucumber preservation delivers tangy, zesty flavor you’ll crave on sandwiches, salads, and straight from the jar.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 4 cucumbers
- 1 red onion
- 1 bell pepper
Pickling Liquid:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Spices and Herbs:
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon dill
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash cucumbers, red onion, and bell pepper under cool running water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Slice cucumbers into thin rounds, julienne the red onion, and cut bell pepper into thin strips for uniform pickling.
- Peel and crush garlic cloves to release their aromatic oils and enhance the pickling flavor profile.
- In a medium saucepan, combine white vinegar, water, kosher salt, and sugar, whisking until all granules completely dissolve.
- Add crushed garlic, dill, black peppercorns, and mustard seeds to the pickling liquid, stirring to distribute spices evenly.
- Bring the pickling mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then immediately remove from stove to prevent over-reduction.
- Layer prepared vegetables into clean glass jars, arranging them tightly but without crushing.
- Carefully pour the hot pickling liquid over the vegetables, ensuring complete coverage and leaving minimal air pockets.
- Allow jars to cool to room temperature for approximately 30 minutes, then seal with tight-fitting lids.
- Refrigerate pickles for minimum 24 hours to allow flavors to fully develop and meld together.
- Consume refrigerated pickles within 2 weeks for optimal taste and crispness, storing consistently at or below 40°F.
Notes
- Experiment with different vinegar types like apple cider or rice vinegar to create unique flavor profiles that suit your taste preferences.
- Slice vegetables uniformly to ensure even pickling and consistent texture throughout the jar, using a mandoline for precision.
- Add red pepper flakes or whole chili peppers for a spicy kick that transforms these mild pickles into a zesty condiment.
- Customize the pickling liquid by adjusting sugar and salt ratios to create sweeter or more tangy versions that match your dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Pickling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 20
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg