Homemade pickles are a delicious and easy-to-make snack that can be enjoyed on their own or added to sandwiches, burgers, and salads for an extra burst of flavor. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make quick homemade pickles that are crisp, tangy, and full of flavor. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a batch of pickles that are far superior to anything you can buy at the store.
Ingredients for Quick Homemade Pickles:
- 1 pound pickling cucumbers, sliced into rounds or spears
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh dill, for garnish (optional)
How to Make Quick Homemade Pickles:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water, vinegar, sugar, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Place the sliced cucumbers, garlic, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a large heatproof bowl.
- Pour the cooled vinegar mixture over the cucumbers, making sure they are completely submerged. If necessary, weigh them down with a plate or bowl to keep them submerged.
- Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the pickles sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours for more intense flavor. The longer the pickles sit, the more flavorful they will become.
- Once the pickles have reached your desired level of flavor, remove the garlic cloves and transfer the pickles and brine to a clean jar or container. Discard the garlic cloves.
- Store the pickles in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The pickles will continue to ferment slightly in the refrigerator, so they will become more tangy over time.
About the Main Ingredients:
- Pickling Cucumbers: Pickling cucumbers, also known as kirby cucumbers, are smaller and firmer than regular cucumbers, making them ideal for pickling. They have fewer seeds and a thicker skin, which helps them retain their crunchiness during the pickling process.
- Vinegar: White vinegar is used in this recipe for its clear color and mild flavor. It helps to preserve the pickles and gives them their characteristic tangy flavor.
- Sugar: Sugar is added to the brine to balance out the acidity of the vinegar and add a touch of sweetness to the pickles.
- Salt: Salt not only adds flavor to the pickles but also helps to draw out moisture from the cucumbers, which helps to preserve them and keep them crunchy.
- Garlic: Garlic adds a savory flavor to the pickles. It can be left whole or sliced depending on your preference.
- Spices: Mustard seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, and red pepper flakes add flavor and complexity to the pickles. Feel free to adjust the amounts of these spices to suit your taste.
- Dill: Fresh dill is a classic herb to add to pickles. It adds a fresh, herbaceous flavor that complements the tangy pickles beautifully.
