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–+ servings

Best Refrigerator Pickles: Quick, Easy, Crunchy Dill Pickles

Come learn how to make your own crunchy refrigerator dill pickles. They're quick and easy to make, delicious, and delectably tangy - ready to eat in five days!
4.70 from 55 votes
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Pickling Time (in the refrigerator) 5 days
Course Appetizer, Party Food, Preserved Food, Side Dish, Snack
Servings 1 quart jar

Ingredients
  

  • 2-6 Fresh cucumbers (depending on type and size)
  • 3/4 cup Water
  • 3/4 cup Distilled white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup Apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp Sea salt, kosher or pickling salt
  • 1 Tbsp Sugar
  • 6 sprigs Fresh dill (a small handful), 2-3 dill flower heads, or 1 Tbsp dry dill
  • 3 cloves Fresh garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 tsp Peppercorns, to taste (about a dozen per jar)
  • 1 tsp Mustard seed
  • 1 pinch Red chili flakes (scant 1/2 tsp), or 1 fresh hot chili pepper (optional)
  • 2 whole Grape leaves - substitute with horseradish, oak, or black tea leaves (optional, for maximum crispness)
  • Optional: onion slices

Instructions
 

  • Wash the fresh dill and cucumbers (avoid using bruised or damaged ones).
  • Trim off the ends of the cucumbers, and then cut them into your desired shape and size (slices, spears, halves, etc).
  • If time allows, soak the cut cucumbers in ice water for several hours before proceeding to packing the jars (for extra natural crisp!)
  • Prepare the pickling brine by combining the water, vinegars, sugar, and salt in a saucepan on the stove. Heat lightly until the sugar and salt dissolve, but then allow the brine to cool to lukewarm/room temperature before adding to the jar.
  • Add the fresh dill, garlic cloves, and remaining called-for spices to the bottom of a clean quart jar.
  • Add recommended grape leaves (or oak, horseradish or black tea leaves) to the bottom of the jar now, or on top of the cucumbers.
  • Add the cucumbers into the jar until full, carefully packing to reduce wasted space.
  • Pour the brine over the top of the cucumbers until they are completely submerged. If you happen to run out, top off with plain white vinegar if needed.
  • Place an air-tight lid on the jar, and then move to the refrigerator.
  • For optimum flavor, allow the pickles to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 5 days before consuming.
  • Enjoy your homemade pickles within 2 to 3 months for best quality and flavor. Maintain refrigerated at all times.
Keyword crunchy pickles, homemade dill pickles, homemade pickles, pickled cucumbers, refrigerator pickles
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