Dill pickles are a snacktime favorite of mine and an absolute requisite on a turkey sandwich. Crunchy, garlicky, savory… yum! I even recently started bringing pickles to work with me in an effort to snack healthier. Luckily for me, my mother happens to make the most delicious dill pickles and they are unbelievably simple and easy to make.
On a recent trip home, I talked my mom into walking me through her recipe and I’m super excited to share it! Check it out, give it a try and let me know how you like it. Promise I’ll report back to my mom!
Homemade Refrigerator Dill Pickles
Time: Cook for 20 minutes, ready in 3 days
Makes: 2 jars (32oz. each)
Ingredients:
- 2-32oz. mason jars (make sure the section of the lid that might come into contact with the vinegar is non-reactive)
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 6 tbsp. kosher salt
- 4 tbsp. sugar
- 4 tbsp. peppercorns
- 8 cloves garlic
- 1 bunch fresh dill
- 2 large cucumbers
Steps:
1. Put vinegar in a small pot (make sure the pot is made of a non-reactive material) on the stove over medium heat.
2. Add kosher salt and sugar, and stir until dissolved to make a brine.
3. Remove brine from stove and refrigerate until cool (this may take several hours).
4. While brine cools, gather garlic, dill and peppercorns. Peel garlic cloves and smash with the flat side of a knife.
5. Add four smashed garlic cloves, 2 tbsp. of peppercorns and half of the bunch of dill to each mason jar.
6. Slice cucumbers into preferred shape and pack into mason jars.
7. Use a ladle and funnel to spoon cooled brine over cucumbers, until the mason jar is nearly full and the cucumbers are covered entirely.
8. Secure lid of mason jar and shake to distribute brine and herbs.
9. Refrigerate for at least three days before enjoying. The pickles are good for about four weeks, so make sure you mark the top of your mason jars with the date! Permanent marker will scrub off with some steel wool or a heavy duty sponge.
Have you ever tried making pickles before? What about pickling other vegetables? How did this recipe work out for you? Or, what’s your favorite pickling recipe? Let me know in the comments below!
