Homemade dill pickles can be yours in no time! I made a big jar of these for our Gr8 Renaissance Faire dinner last fall, and wow were they good!
I searched several recipes and this one was the winner, hands down! You'd think they'd need to sit in the brine for days or weeks, right? Nope! You'll practically be grabbing them from the jar before they hit the fridge! But give them at least overnight...they'll be ready for tasting by the next day, and will keep refrigerated for up 2 months...if they last that long!
Edited from the last publication on February 11, 2016.
Classic Dill Pickles
Servings: 2 quarts
Ingredients
For the brine:
- 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1/2 cup cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons sea salt
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 Tablespoons of a combination of peppercorns, coriander seeds, and mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon dill seeds
- 2 cups water
For the pickles:
- 2 pounds Kirby cucumbers, quartered*
- 1/2 large bunch dill sprigs, coarsely chopped, stems included
- 1 pinch dried red pepper flakes
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled, crushed
- Hot brine
- 2 teaspoons black peppercorns
- 2 teaspoons caraway seeds
Special equipment:
- 2 one-quart canning jars with lids
Instructions
For the brine
- Place both vinegars in a medium to large saucepan.
- Add sea salt, sugar and spices (combination of peppercorns, coriander, mustard seeds) and dill seeds, along with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil.
For the pickles
- Between the jars, evenly divide the cucumbers (quartered), chopped dill bunches, red pepper flakes, crushed garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons peppercorns and caraway seeds.
- Pour the hot brine into jars (evenly divided).
- Cover. Let cool and chill.**
Notes
* I had a hard time finding the Kirby cucumbers. It may have been the time of year. I used Persian cucumbers that are readily available at most supermarkets and they couldn't have been better. I would, however, like to find the Kirbys and try them out!
**Although the recipe said to cover the jars once the hot brine is poured over the cucumbers, that made me nervous, so I just set the lid over the jar and when at room temperature, I twisted on the lid and set it in the refrigerator...counting down the hour to devour! Hey...that rhymed! Enjoy!
Gr8 Do Ahead Tip:
Cucumbers can be pickled 2 months ahead. Keep chilled. Tried this recipe?Mention @Great8Friends or tag #gr8food!
Lon, after searching for the Kirby cucumbers online, at the market and at local farmers markets, I found out they're seasonal, and apparently not a fall vegetable! This recipe and a few others say that the Persian cucumbers are a good substitute, and they were! I will, however, keep my eyes open during the spring and summer, to see if I can find them. I am very curious to know (and taste!) what the difference will be! Thank you for being one of our Gr8 fans!
Where do you find Kirby cucumbers?
A fresh, crunchy and homemade, no less, dill pickle...can't beat that right Brenda?! They were way easier to make than I thought. No need to sit and brine for weeks! You can dig into the jar in a few hours! Thanks so much for your Gr8 support!
Yum. These look so good. Thank you.