Appetizers | Recipes | Side Dishes | Summer
Crispy Homemade Pickled Cucumbers
Homemade cucumber pickles are the best way to add flavor and crunch to your sandwiches, salads, and side dishes. Not only are they delicious, but they are incredibly simple to make!
Pickled cucumbers are an iconic favorite side and these quick pickles take only a few minutes to put together.
They are simply cucumbers that have been pickled in a pickling brine, vinegar, or other solution.
The delicious pickles are left to ferment for a period of time just like our grandmothers used to make. And they taste amazing with meats or other fresh vegetables.
Pickles have been around for thousands of years and are a popular addition to burgers and sandwiches, such as my French Dip Sandwiches.
If you want the best cucumber it is for this is one that has been pickled to perfection and is crispy and snappy.
Homemade pickles can be made in our own home kitchen with little effort and taste even better than those found at the grocery store making the best pickles.
Plus, you can use thick slices or thin slices of cucumber to suit your personal fancy.
Why you’ll Love This Pickled Cucumber Recipe
- You will love this recipe and so will your family because you can flavor and slice your pickles exactly as you prefer.
- Kids typically love pickles as an easy midday snack.
- They elevate the flavor of any sandwich while adding a nice texture as well.
- They taste amazing by themselves as a light snack and on a variety of sandwiches such as a hot juicy burger right off of the grill.
- Fresh cucumbers are the perfect addition to a picnic basket as well, especially if they are pickled.
- This is our favorite way to take simple recipes and elevate them.
- If you want some easy dinners, grill a meat, whip up a salad, and add a side of pickled or spicy cucumbers.
Tell me about this Quick Pickled Cucumbers Recipe
- Taste- Pickled cucumbers taste great with a sandwich, make a great side dish, are great additions to a charcuterie board and are even delicious as a snack all by themselves!
- Texture- They are a great addition to your summer meals to add extra flavor and some crunch.
- Ease- This cucumber pickle is easy to make and are ready to eat within three days with little time, ingredients, and preparation making for a quick pickled cucumber recipe.
- Time- Most of the time involved is spent with the jar resting in the refrigerator so you get the best flavor.
Ingredients for Pickled Cucumbers
- Water– Filtered water is best because it contains less chemicals than tap water.
- White vinegar– You can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar for this recipe.
- Sugar– Normal, granulated (raw) sugar, caster (superfine) sugar (which dissolves quicker), and regular white sugar can also be used for this recipe.
- Salt– To get crisp pickles use only kosher or sea salt. Iodized (table) salt will turn ferments black and mushy.
- Cucumbers– Fresh cucumber varieties such as gherkin, English, Kirby, and Persian cucumbers can be used for this recipe depending on what type of pickles you prefer.
- Cloves of minced garlic– You can use fresh garlic or garlic from a jar for this recipe.
- Heads of fresh dill– You can use fresh dill or you can substitute dry dill weed to add to your pickled cucumbers.
How to Make Quick Pickled Cucumbers in three easy steps
- Prepare the vinegar brine Stir water, vinegar, sugar, and salt together in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil; remove from heat and cool completely.
- Combine cucumber slices, garlic cloves, and fresh dill in a large glass mason jar. Pour cooled vinegar mixture over cucumber mixture. Seal canning jar with lid.
- Refrigerate for at least 3 days and enjoy within 1 week of making them.
Good Cucumbers for Pickling
- Gherkin Cucumbers– a small variety of cucumber that is the perfect size for snacking
- English Cucumbers– these are long and thin and come covered in plastic and make the perfect round or oblong pickle for sandwiches
- Kirby Cucumbers– these cucumbers are wonderfully crunchy for eating raw but they are flavorful enough for pickling as well and have a thicker skin that remains nice and crunchy
- Persian Cucumbers– these are smaller cucumbers with smooth skin and less water content
Best Ways to Enjoy Crisp Pickles
- Hamburgers- great on the burger or on the side
- Hotdogs- great addition to your hotdog as an alternative to relish
- Fried chicken sandwiches- adds a cool kick to your chicken
- Cold cut sandwiches- a perfect addition to any deli meat sandwich
- Hot submarine sandwiches- a nice complement to any hot deli meat sandwich as well
- Pulled pork sandwiches- a great side to a hot sandwich that adds a cool crunch
- Potato Salad- dice and add to your favorite recipe
- With deviled eggs- pickles and eggs are an enjoyable afternoon snack
- On a charcuterie board- pickles are a great compliment to your boards
- Egg salad- pickles compliment cold salads and eggs well
- Tuna salad- pickles add a delicious crunch and tang to tuna salad
- As a snack- So good they can be enjoyed all by themselves or on a cracker with a slices of horseradish
- With cheese- pickles and your favorite cheese make for a great snack
Tips for getting the Best Pickled Cucumbers
- Choose the right variety choosing thicker skin over thinner skinned varieties.
- Look for consistent sizes of cucumbers (not too big and not too small) which will help with uniform crunchiness over all.
- The age of the cucumber, which can usually be determined by size, again sticking to medium sized cucumbers, will have the perfect thickness of skin.
- Use fresh unwaxed cucumbers and kosher or sea salt for crisp pickles.
- Be sure to let the brine cool completely before combining with the cucumbers.
- I know that it is tempting but be sure to allow your pickles to sit and ferment for three days soaking up all of the seasonings and flavor before eating.
- Enjoy your pickled cucumbers within a week of making them.
Variations for Easy Pickled Cucumbers
- Spicy Refrigerator Pickles- Add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes to give a spicy kick to these easy refrigerator pickles.
- Sweet Refrigerator Pickles- If your family loves sweet pickles, add a ¼ cup of white sugar to the brine before adding the cucumbers to it.
Substitutions and Add Ins for Crunchy Pickles
- Dill Pickles- 2 tablespoons dry dill weed for fresh dill
- Black Peppercorns- Add whole peppercorns for ultimate flavor
- Other tasty additions- a teaspoon mustard seeds or thyme
- Quick Pickling- Add apple cider vinegar for white vinegar
- Add in sliced red onion for a bit of tang
- Celery Seeds- These seeds have a strong flavor and give an earthy taste to your crispy pickles.
Recipe for Cucumber Pickles
Easy Recipe for Pickled Cucumbers
Homemade cucumber pickles are the best way to add flavor and crunch to your sandwiches, salads, and side dishes. Not only are they delicious, but they are incredibly simple to make!
Equipment
- 1 large mason jar
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 4 cups sliced cucumbers
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 heads fresh dill
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, stir water, vinegar, sugar, and salt together. Bring it to a low boil and then remove from heat.
- In a large mason jar, add your cucumber slices, garlic, and fresh dill.
- Allow the brine to cool and then pour it over the jar of cucumbers. Make sure the liquid covers the cucumbers completely.
- Refrigerate the cucumbers for 3 days and eat them within one week of making them.
Notes
- Choose the right variety choosing thicker skin over thinner skinned varieties.
- Look for consistent sizes of cucumbers (not too big and not too small) which will help with uniform crunchiness over all.
- The age of the cucumber, which can usually be determined by size, again sticking to medium sized cucumbers, will have the perfect thickness of skin.
- Use fresh unwaxed cucumbers and kosher or sea salt for crisp pickles.
