Crispy, crunchy, and delicious to munch(-y), this Refrigerator Pickles Recipe is a fun summer tradition perfect for adding to burgers or just snacking on straight from the jar. Plus, unlike canned pickles, these refrigerator dill pickles are super easy make!
How to Make the Best Refrigerator Pickles
- Kirby Cucumbers. Those are the small/medium-ish ones with the bumpy skins. Sometimes you’ll see them labeled “pickling cucumbers.” Mini or Persian cucumbers work too. You want a small cucumber because they yield crisp, crunchy pickles.
Market Swap
Homemade pickles go beyond cucumber slices! You can pickle carrots, green beans, asparagus, and more. Wondering what to do with the garlic scapes or ramps you get from your CSA box? Pickle them!
- Fresh Dill. Because dill pickles are the best pickles!
- Mustard Seeds. Psst—you can actually eat the pickled mustard seeds too and they’re delicious! Add them to dressings or crush them with a mortar and pestle for serving with Baked Pork Tenderloin.
- Coriander Seeds. Coriander has a citrusy flavor, so it adds a bright note to these refrigerator pickles.
- Garlic. I highly recommend adding the garlic, but you do you.
- Water. You don’t need to add all that much because the salt in the brine will draw the moisture out of the cucumbers.
- White Vinegar. Nothing fancy here. Simple is best for these easy pickles!
- Kosher Salt. Because most people don’t have pickling salt on hand, I’ve developed this recipe with the more common kosher salt.
- Slice. Cut the cucumbers into thin rounds. This is easy on a mandoline.
- Layer. Pack the cucumbers to the pint jar(s), then layer in the dill, seeds, and garlic.
- Brine. Whisk together the water, vinegar, and salt, then pour this mixture into the jar(s).
- Refrigerate. Close the jar, give it a good shake, then refrigerate, shaking occasionally. Refrigerator pickles are ready to eat after 2 hours, but best after a full day. ENJOY!
- Change Up the Vinegar. You can use apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar to make pickles, too. Rice vinegar makes for a delicious Asian-inspired pickle, especially if you add some slices of ginger..
- Try Different Herbs and Spices. This refrigerator pickle recipe gives you that classic pickle flavor, but there’s no reason you can’t experiment with what you have on hand. You can also buy a packet of pickling spices to make it easier.
- Spicy Pickles. Like your pickles spicy? Add black peppercorns, crushed red pepper flakes, or sliced jalapeño peppers. (The pickled jalapeños are also fantastic on burgers and tacos!)
- Pickle Spears. Just like store-bought pickles, refrigerator pickles come in all shapes and sizes. Quarter the cucumbers lengthwise to make pickle spears.
- Sweet Pickles. You’ll need to warm the water and vinegar. Whisk in the sugar and salt until they’re dissolved. The amount of sugar you use is up to you; you can start with as little as 1 tablespoon and go all the way up to 3 or 4. Taste as you go until the brine reaches your desired sweetness.
- To Store. Store refrigerator pickles in the jar for up to a week; be sure to use a clean fork or other utensil to remove them from the jar.
- To Freeze. Refrigerator pickles should not be frozen.
Easy Fridge Pickles | Preserving the Harvest
How long do Pickles last in the fridge?
In general conditions, the average shelf life of pickles when kept in refrigeration is about a minimum of 6 months to a maximum of 18 months. But it must be noted that depending upon whether the pickles are homemade or readymade, their shelf life varies in the refrigerator. How Long Do Pickles Last (And Why)?
How long do vinegar pickles last?
Refrigerator pickles are made with vinegar and sometimes sugar and salt. They are intended to be stored in the fridge and in most cases will only last 2 – 4 weeks. Canned vinegar pickles are made with higher proportions of vinegar, salt and sugar. The jars are then processed in a hot water bath.
Do you need to refrigerate Pickles?
We recommend refrigerating for at least 24 hours before enjoying. It will take about that long for the cucumbers to absorb the flavor of the brine. What other flavors can you use in refrigerator pickles? This recipe is super versatile! You can add all kinds of flavors (and even vegetables!) to the brine. Here are some ideas:
What are refrigerator pickles?
Refrigerator Pickles are a simple pickle recipe made with vinegar, dill, and garlic. This no boil pickle recipe will become a family favorite in no time! Cucumbers sliced (Use whatever kind you prefer, I like to do a variety but if you get the kind with a coat of wax, be sure to peel it!) – I use enough to nearly fill a quart jar