Refrigerator Pickles

This recipe is an intro to pickling that does not require proper canning. It is a refrigerator pickle meaning it is not shelf stable and must be kept chilled. The plus side is that you do not need to create a seal because the pickles are stored in the fridge. The negative is the pickles must be stored in the fridge...so only make as many as you have room for.

If you already know how to can, skip past the asterisks section to the recipe. Otherwise READ this important tutorial about safe canning. Unless you want to die. (LOL..No really read this)

Lids and bands (typically together) can be found in the seasonal/produce section of your supermarket and other horrible places (Lowes, Wal Mart, Target, etc.) For pickles, be sure to buy wide-mouthed jars so you can get the pickles out of the jar later (trust me on this). You can use pint or quart sized jars depending on how much you are canning and your space limitations.

For this recipe I suggest grabbing one whole tray of wide-mouth canning jars w/lids. Save any extras for later.

*********************************************
SAFE TUTORIAL ABOUT CANNING -- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR THIS RECIPE

Canned foods that are not pressure canned or boiled for at least 10 minutes in a boiling water bath must have their jars and lids pre-sterilized. That includes this recipe.

To do this fill a very large pot with water and immerse your jars, lids, and screw bands so they are completely covered with water. It will take about twenty minutes to bring to a boil. Boil for ten minutes, then leave the jars in the hot water until you are ready to go (I usually get the water started while I'm prepping so the jars are ready without delay.)

The absolute key to safe canning is sterilization. Things must be hot and your tools, work surfaces, cloths and hands must be absolutely clean. Don't cut corners - ever! The good news is a recipe like this is very forgiving due to the vinegar and the refrigeration. The worst you can probably do is make crappy tasting pickles. But get accustomed to being vigilant. That is the basis of good canning.

*********************************************

Recipe
The below will make **approximately** four quart sized jars or 8 pint sized jars depending on pickle size and cut preference.

4-5 pounds of cukes (the smaller the better - they needn't be pickling cukes though those have better skins and less seeds)
12-15 heads of fresh dill OR 2 Tbsp dill seed (fresh is better)
1 Tbsp pickling spice, all cloves removed
Small pinch of red pepper flakes
Garlic cloves - enough for 1-2 per jar depending on the size

Brine:
6 cups of water
2 cups of white vinegar (never use homemade vinegar for canning - a 5% solution is essential and homemade concentrations will vary unless precisely measured)
1/2 cup kosher salt (NOT table salt - iodine RUINS pickles - kosher salt only)

Chill your cukes in the fridge for at least an hour (or more) before beginning.

When ready to begin get your water and jars started (aka boiling).

Mix the spices in a bowl. If using fresh dill wash and cut to desired size (the stems can be used). Prepare the vinegar and water in a pot and set aside.

Wash the cukes thoroughly. Cut off the blossom ends (these contain enzymes which spoil the pickles). Cut the cukes into halves or spears or slices depending on the desired size. Be sure to cut the cukes to a length that will fit in the jars no more than 1/4 inch from the top (or they won't stay in the brine.). Put the cukes back in the fridge until the jars have finished sterilizing, if necessary.

Put the brine on to boil then remove the lids and rings from the hot water, dry and set aside, covered. Remove the hot jars from the water and place on a clean dishtowel. Pack the cukes tightly (they will shrink) and distribute the garlic, dill and spices evenly among the jars. Pour the brine into the jars almost to the top. To keep the pickles submerged use wooden skewers across the jars or small containers filled with water or rocks (anything that will keep the pickles down in the brine).

Let the jars rest 3-4 hours covered with a clean cotton towel. Cap with lids and rings and refrigerate. You can start testing them after about fours days but I find they taste best after about two weeks. These will keep, refrigerated, for about a year or two.

Enjoy!

Great thread!

I made my first crock of saurkraut last year and absoutly loved it. Pickling is an ancient form of food preservation.

For my kraut I did not usr refridgeration and it tirned out incredible. Cant even compare to store bought.

reply to post by RobertF


Vinegar is a preservative so it is possible to get away with not refrigerating (though you will see all sorts of recommendations against that). I have a recipe for a shelf stored whole dill pickle that does not use boiling water bath either - it uses what's called open kettle canning. Only tried it once and no one had any issues eating them. I was not as crazy about these but I have a friend who harasses me every five minutes to make another jar because he loved them so much.

Grandma Ella's Thanksgiving Day Pickles

The trick with dill pickles as I have learned is you really cannot process them (bread and butters and sweet gherkins are fine though). I have tried every method of keeping a processed dill pickle from getting soft to no avail. You must either refrigerate, open kettle, or make them the old fashioned way - in a crock pot in the basement (something else I have not yet tried but plan to this year).

that is good.keep refrigerated is better than canning. canning requires much of attention.