Description
This Ultimate Dill Pickle Recipe yields bold, crunchy pickles with a perfect balance of tangy, salty, and slightly spicy flavors. Easy to make at home, these refrigerator pickles soak in a flavorful brine of vinegar, garlic, dill, and spices, delivering a crisp and refreshing snack or condiment that enhances any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 8–10 small pickling cucumbers (about 4 inches each)
Brine
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 3 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, for balance)
Spices and Herbs
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 4–6 fresh dill sprigs
Instructions
- Prepare Cucumbers: Wash cucumbers thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt. Trim off the blossom ends carefully to help keep the pickles crisp throughout the pickling process.
- Make Brine: In a medium saucepan, combine water, white vinegar, kosher salt, and sugar if using. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally until the salt and sugar fully dissolve. Remove the brine from heat and allow it to cool slightly to a warm temperature.
- Pack Jars: Sterilize your pickling jars by washing them in hot, soapy water and rinsing well. In each jar, layer the cucumbers, smashed garlic cloves, black peppercorns, mustard seeds, optional red pepper flakes, and fresh dill sprigs evenly.
- Add Brine: Carefully pour the warm brine over the layered cucumbers and spices in the jars, leaving about half an inch of headspace at the top to allow for expansion.
- Seal and Refrigerate: Seal the jars tightly with lids and place them in the refrigerator. Let the pickles sit for at least 24 to 48 hours to develop a deep, bold flavor before eating.
- Storage: Keep the pickles refrigerated, where they can remain fresh and crunchy for up to 2 months.
Notes
- Trimming the blossom ends of cucumbers is key to maintaining crispness in the pickles.
- Sugar is optional and added only if you prefer a slight sweetness to balance the acidity.
- For spicier pickles, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add fresh chili slices.
- Sterilizing jars helps extend shelf life and prevent spoilage.
- This recipe creates quick refrigerator pickles; it does not involve traditional canning or long-term shelf storage outside the fridge.
