Easy Refrigerator Dill Pickles

Last summer, my love for pickles grew exponentially. I've always thought pickles were good. But, it wasn't until I grew cucumbers in my garden, and made my own homemade pickles, that I totally fell in love with them.

The taste of fresh pickles is incomparable to store-bought. After trying store-bought pickles again when I ran out of my own batch last year, I was disappointed by their artificial taste and crunch.

What's even better is that making this refrigerator dill pickles recipe requires no special canning equipment, making it an approachable and beginner-friendly recipe. With just a few simple ingredients and about 20 minutes, you can have these savory dill pickles ready to store in your fridge for snacking.

Today, I’m walking you through the entire pickling process including the best ingredients to use, tips to help you make this refrigerator pickle recipe successfully the first time, and some ways you can customize this easy pickle recipe to make it your very own.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Fresher Taste- The fresh taste and crisp texture of these homemade dill pickles is incomparable to store-bought. Once you taste them, you'll never want to go back!
• No Canning Required- No canning equipment? No problem! This easy refrigerator pickles recipe doesn't require any special equipment to make.
• Quick & Easy- Making pickles at home may sound like a lot of work, but I promise it's not! In just 20 minutes, and with minimal prep work, you can easily make these homemade pickles for yourself.
• Eco-Friendly- Growing your own cucumbers and dill for these homemade pickles is a sustainable choice. It reduces food transportation distance, which helps lower pollution levels.
• Customizable- Change up the spices and herbs or add more sugar to customize this pickled cucumber recipe to suit your tastes.

Ingredient Notes

Here are some notes on the key ingredients. For the full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Pickling Cucumbers- Pickling cucumber varieties, such as Kirby Cucumbers, Boston Pickling Cucumbers, Calypso Cucumbers, and Wisconsin SMR 58 Cucumbers, are best for making homemade pickles. Choose small pickles with firm flesh and thin skin.
• Garlic- Fresh garlic cloves give these pickles a bold, garlicky flavor. Feel free to use more or less garlic to suit your tastes.
• Dill Weed- This delicate, grassy herb gives dill pickles their signature flavor. If you can't find fresh dill sprigs, you can use dried dill seeds or dill weed, though the flavor may be slightly different.
• White Vinegar- Vinegar is essential for pickling cucumbers. I prefer white vinegar for its strong acidity and neutral flavor profile.
• Water- Use fresh, preferably filtered water to make the brine, as the water quality will affect the taste of the pickles.
• Kosher Salt- Use kosher salt or pickling salt for making pickles. Since table salt often contains added ingredients like anti-caking agents and iodine, it's not ideal for pickling.
• Sugar- A small amount of sugar helps balance the acidity and saltiness of the pickling brine.
• Spices- I like to use a combination of yellow mustard seeds, black pepper, and bay leaf to add a savory flavor to the brine. Both freshly ground black pepper and whole black peppercorn work well.

🌱 Sustainability Tip: Grow your own pickling cucumbers and dill for fresher, eco-friendly pickles. Certain cucumber varieties and dill thrive in containers, which is ideal for small spaces.

Substitutions and Variations

Here are a few ways you can try customizing this easy pickling cucumber recipe to fit your diet and taste preferences.

Substitutions

• Pickling Cucumbers- If pickling cucumbers are not available, you can use other types of cucumbers. However, keep in mind that regular cucumbers may have thicker skin and more seeds.
• Garlic- Substitute fresh garlic for shallots, chives, or garlic powder.
• Dill Weed- If fresh dill is not accessible, you can use dried dill seeds or dried dill weed. However, the flavor may be slightly different from fresh dill.
• White Vinegar- Swap apple cider vinegar for white vinegar for a slightly different flavor.
• Kosher Salt- Substitute kosher salt for pickling salt in a 1:1 ratio. Both lack additives like iodine and anti-caking agents.
• Sugar- Brown sugar, honey, and maple syrup can be used in place of granulated sugar.
• Spices- Swap whole mustard seeds for ground mustard, or try replacing the black pepper with red pepper flakes for added heat.

Variations

• Gluten-Free- Homemade refrigerator dill pickles are naturally gluten-free and vegan, but always double-check ingredient labels.
• Sweet- Add a little more sugar to make a sweeter version of this refrigerator dill pickle recipe.
• Spicy- Red pepper flakes added to the brine or a few slices of jalapeño can bring a little heat.
• Lemony- Squeeze a bit of lemon juice into the brine for a citrusy twist on classic dill pickles.

How to Make Refrigerator Dill Pickles

Here is how to make the best ever refrigerator dill pickles.

Step 1: Prepare the brining liquid. In a small saucepan, combine the kosher salt, sugar, mustard seeds, black pepper, and bay leaf. Add the water and white vinegar, and give it a good stir to mix everything together.

Step 2: Heat the brining liquid. Place the saucepan on the stove over medium heat. Whisk the mixture occasionally until the salt and sugar dissolve completely. The liquid does not need to come to a boil. Once dissolved, set the brining liquid aside and allow it to cool completely while you prepare the cucumbers.

Step 3: Prepare the cucumbers. Before slicing the cucumbers, wash them thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or residue. Slice cucumbers into uniform rounds, approximately ¼ inch thick.

Step 4: Fill the jars. Fill each jar halfway with the cucumber slices, pressing them in tightly. Add 4 cloves of sliced garlic and 5 sprigs of fresh dill to each jar. Continue filling the jars with the remaining cucumber slices until they are almost full. How many cucumbers you can fit will depend on their size, but try to pack them in as much as possible.

Step 5: Add the brining liquid. Pour the vinegar mixture over the cucumbers. Make sure to leave about a ½ inch of space from the top of the jar.

Step 6. Shake the jars. Close the jars tightly with their lids and give them a good shake. This helps ensure that each cucumber slice comes into contact with the brine.

Step 7: Brine the pickles. Store the jars upright in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours, but ideally, wait for 72 hours before enjoying your delicious homemade pickles.

Tips for Success

Make these homemade garlic dill pickles successfully the first time using these tried and true tips.

• Choose fresh, firm cucumbers. Select fresh, firm, and unblemished pickling cucumbers for the best results. Avoid cucumbers that are soft or wrinkled, as they may not retain their crunchiness after pickling.
• Slice the cucumbers uniformly. Use a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife to slice the cucumbers uniformly to about ¼ inch thick.
• Cool the brine to room temperature. If the brine is too hot, you'll end up with mushy pickles. For crunchy dill pickles, cool the brine to about room temperature before pouring it over the cucumber slices.
• Give the jars a shake. Shaking the jars daily for the first 2-3 days ensures even pickling of all of the cucumber slices.
• Brine for 72 hours. While you can eat these pickles after just 24 hours, waiting at least 72 hours will provide the best flavor and texture.
• Label and date the jars. Don't forget to label and date the jars so you know when to use them up by! This is especially helpful if you're growing your own cucumbers and are making several batches of pickles.

Can I make dill pickle spears instead of slices? Of course! Simply cut the pickling cucumbers lengthwise into spears and follow the recipe as is. Keep in mind that spears may need more time to fully pickle.

How to Use Refrigerator Dill Pickles

Refrigerator dill pickles are savory pickles that can be enjoyed on their own as a healthy snack or added to a variety of your favorite dishes for more texture and flavor.

You can eat them straight from the jar as a delicious snack alongside crackers and this lemon dill hummus.

Alternatively, add them to burgers, sandwiches, and wraps for a deliciously tangy flavor and crunchy texture. Some of my favorite pickle pairings include BBQ bacon burgers, turkey smash burgers, and BLT bagel sandwiches.

Finally, get creative by adding these garlic dill pickles to other dishes, such as homemade bolognese pizza, potato salad, or chicken salad.

How to Store

• Refrigerator- Store pickles in the refrigerator in an airtight glass jar for up to 2 months. Remember to label the jars with the preparation date and check for any signs of spoilage.
• Freezer- It's generally not recommended to freeze refrigerator pickles if you want to preserve their original crunchy texture.

How To Tell If Your Refrigerator Pickles Have Gone Bad

• Mold- If you see any signs of mold on the surface of the pickles or floating in the brine, it's an indication that the pickles have gone bad and should be discarded.
• Slimy- Pickles that are slimy or mushy when touched are likely spoiled. Fresh refrigerator pickles should have a mostly firm and crisp texture.
• Cloudy Brine- If the brine appears cloudy instead of clear, it may indicate bacterial growth.
• Smell- A foul or off-putting odor is a strong indication of spoilage. Pickles should have a pleasant, tangy, and aromatic scent.

Make Ahead

This quick dill pickle recipe is ideal for making ahead because the pickles need at least 24 hours to brine before they are ready to eat.

The brining process allows the pickles to absorb the flavors and develop their tangy and aromatic taste. It is recommended to refrigerate the pickles for a minimum of 24 hours, but 72 hours is best for a better flavor.

Quick Tip: A jar of homemade pickles makes a wonderful gift. Whether it's the holiday season or a friend's birthday, you can't go wrong with homemade edible gifts.

Frequently Asked Questions

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