These Refrigerator Dill Pickles are crisp, fresh, and bursting with dill and garlic flavor. They’re quick and simple to prepare using just a saucepan and a few glass jars—no special canning equipment needed. Once you taste these homemade dill pickles, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
Unmatched Freshness – The vibrant flavor and crisp texture of these homemade dill pickles far surpass anything you’ll find in stores. Once you try them, you’ll never look back!
No Canning Necessary – Don’t have canning equipment? No worries! This simple refrigerator pickles recipe requires no special tools to create delicious pickles at home.
Quick & Simple – Making your own pickles might seem daunting, but it’s easier than you think! In just 20 minutes and with minimal prep, you can whip up a batch of these homemade delights.
Eco-Friendly Choice – Growing your own cucumbers and dill for these pickles is a sustainable option. It reduces the distance food travels, helping to lower pollution levels.
Customizable Flavors – Feel free to experiment with different spices and herbs or adjust the sugar levels to make this pickled cucumber recipe uniquely yours!
HOW TO MAKE REFRIGERATOR DILL PICKLES
EQUIPMENT
- Small saucepan
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- 16-ounce mason jars
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon whole mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 crushed bay leaf
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 6-8 pickling cucumbers
- 6-12 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (to taste)
- 15 sprigs fresh dill
INSTRUCTIONS
- Optional Sterilization: If you’d like to extend the shelf life of your refrigerator pickles, you can sterilize the mason jars by boiling them in water for 10 minutes.
- Prepare the Brine: In a small saucepan, combine the kosher salt, sugar, mustard seeds, black pepper, and crushed bay leaf. Add the water and white vinegar, then stir well to mix all the ingredients.
- Heat the Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat, whisking occasionally until the salt and sugar fully dissolve. The mixture does not need to boil. Once dissolved, remove from heat and let the brining liquid cool completely while you prepare the cucumbers.
- Slice the Cucumbers: Rinse the pickling cucumbers thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt. Slice the cucumbers into uniform rounds, about ¼ inch thick.
- Pack the Jars: Fill each mason jar halfway with the cucumber slices, pressing them down tightly. Add 2-4 cloves of sliced garlic and 5 sprigs of fresh dill to each jar.
- Fill the Jars: Continue adding the remaining cucumber slices to each jar until they are nearly full. The exact amount will depend on the size of your cucumbers, so pack them in as tightly as possible.
- Add the Brine: Pour the cooled brining liquid over the cucumbers, leaving about ½ inch of headspace at the top of each jar.
- Seal and Shake: Secure the lids tightly on the jars and give them a gentle shake to ensure the brine evenly coats all the cucumber slices.
- Refrigerate: Store the jars upright in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours, though waiting 72 hours will enhance the flavor. You can gently shake the jars once a day to help distribute the brine and flavors evenly.
- Storage: When stored properly, these refrigerator pickles will remain fresh for 1 to 2 months. Enjoy your homemade pickles!
HOW TO STORE
Refrigerator: Keep your pickles in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 months. Be sure to label the jars with the preparation date and regularly check for any signs of spoilage.
Freezer: Freezing refrigerator pickles is generally not advised if you want to maintain their original crunchy texture.
HOW TO TELL IF YOUR REFRIGERATOR PICKLES HAVE GONE BAD
Mold: If you notice any mold on the surface of the pickles or floating in the brine, this indicates spoilage, and the pickles should be discarded.
Slimy Texture: Pickles that feel slimy or mushy are likely spoiled. Fresh refrigerator pickles should retain a firm and crisp texture
.
Cloudy Brine: A cloudy brine instead of a clear one may suggest bacterial growth.
Off Smell: A foul or unpleasant odor is a strong sign of spoilage. Fresh pickles should have a tangy and aromatic scent.
MAKE AHEAD
This quick dill pickle recipe is perfect for making ahead, as the pickles require at least 24 hours to brine before they’re ready to enjoy. The brining process allows the cucumbers to absorb flavors and develop their tangy taste. For the best results, refrigerate the pickles for a minimum of 24 hours, but waiting 72 hours will enhance the flavor even further.
