To make pickles from cucumbers, the general process involves slicing the cucumbers, preparing a brine with vinegar, water, salt, and spices, then combining the cucumbers with fresh herbs and garlic in a jar, and finally pouring the brine over the cucumbers before refrigerating to pickle. The pickles typically need at least a day to develop flavor in the refrigerator. Here is a simple step-by-step recipe:
Ingredients
- Cucumbers (Persian or pickling cucumbers), sliced into coins or spears
- Fresh dill sprigs, roughly chopped
- Garlic cloves, thinly sliced or smashed
- Bay leaf
- Water
- Vinegar (rice vinegar, white vinegar, or white wine vinegar)
- Salt (fine sea salt or kosher salt)
- Whole spices such as black peppercorns, mustard seeds, coriander seeds (optional)
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- Sugar or maple syrup (optional, to balance vinegar flavor)
Instructions
- Prepare the cucumbers: Slice cucumbers as desired (thin slices for chips or lengthwise spears).
- Layer ingredients in the jar: Place cucumbers in a clean jar, adding dill, garlic, and the bay leaf layered among the cucumber slices.
- Make the brine: Mix water, vinegar, salt, and any spices or sugar until salt dissolves. This can be done at room temperature or the brine can be heated briefly to dissolve sugar/salt.
- Combine: Pour the brine over the cucumber mixture in the jar, ensuring cucumbers are fully submerged. Press down if needed.
- Seal and refrigerate: Cover the jar tightly and refrigerate. Pickles develop flavor after about 1 day; they can be enjoyed earlier but taste better after sitting longer. They keep for up to 1-3 weeks in the fridge depending on the recipe.
This method yields crisp, tangy, and flavorful pickles without the need for canning or fermentation. Optional spices and herbs allow for customization of flavor. Would a detailed recipe with exact measurements and specific spice combinations be helpful? Or instructions for quick refrigerator pickles vs. traditional canned pickles? This summary is based on several up-to-date recipes found online.
