10+ Pickle Recipes to Refresh Your Meals
Pickles are a versatile and tasty addition to many meals. You can enjoy them on sandwiches, in salads, or right out of the jar.
Learning to make your own pickles can be a fun and rewarding experience. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create flavorful pickles that suit your taste.
Whether you prefer dill, sweet, or spicy pickles, the possibilities are endless. You can customize your recipes by adding your favorite herbs and spices.
This article will guide you through some easy and delicious pickle recipes that you can try at home.
1) Classic Dill Pickles
Making classic dill pickles is a fun and simple process. You’ll love the fresh taste of these homemade pickles. All you need are cucumbers, dill, garlic, and a few basic ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 8 pounds of small pickling cucumbers
- 4 cups water
- 4 cups distilled white vinegar
- ¾ cup white sugar
- ½ cup pickling salt
- Fresh dill sprigs
- 2-3 cloves of garlic
Cooking Instructions:
- Start by washing the cucumbers and cutting off the ends.
- In a large pot, combine the water, vinegar, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil.
- Pack the cucumbers tightly in sterilized jars with dill and garlic.
- Pour the hot brine over the cucumbers, leaving some space at the top.
- Seal the jars and let them cool before refrigerating. Enjoy your pickles in a few days!
2) Spicy Jalapeño Pickles
Making spicy jalapeño pickles is a fun way to add heat to your meals. These pickles work great on sandwiches, tacos, or as a snack. You will love their zesty flavor and crunchy texture.
To start, gather your ingredients. You’ll want fresh jalapeños for the best taste. You can adjust the spiciness by adding more or fewer peppers.
The recipe is simple and quick. You mix vinegar, water, garlic, and sugar together, then heat them. Pour this mixture over sliced jalapeños in a jar and let it cool.
Store your pickles in the fridge, and they will be ready to enjoy in just a few hours!
Ingredients
- 5-6 jalapeño peppers, sliced
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1 clove garlic, smashed
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
Cooking Instructions
- Combine vinegar, water, garlic, and sugar in a pot.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Remove from heat and add jalapeño slices.
- Let the mixture cool before pouring it into a jar.
- Store in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving.
3) Sweet Bread and Butter Pickles
Sweet bread and butter pickles are a delicious way to enjoy cucumbers. They are crunchy, tangy, and have just the right amount of sweetness.
To start, you will need pickling cucumbers, onions, and some simple spices. The combination of vinegar, sugar, and spices gives these pickles their unique flavor.
These pickles are easy to make. You simply slice the cucumbers and onions, mix them with spices, and let them chill in the fridge. They are perfect for snacks or as a topping on sandwiches.
Ingredients
- 4 cups pickling cucumbers, sliced
- 1 cup sliced onion
- 1½ cups sugar
- 1 cup vinegar (white or apple cider)
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon celery seeds
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
Cooking Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix cucumbers and onions.
- In a separate pot, heat vinegar, sugar, and spices until sugar dissolves.
- Pour the mixture over the cucumbers and onions.
- Refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving.
4) Garlic Dill Refrigerator Pickles
Garlic dill refrigerator pickles are a simple and tasty treat. They are crunchy, tangy, and perfect for sandwiches or snacks.
To make these pickles, start with fresh cucumbers. You can use pickling cucumbers for the best flavor. You’ll also need garlic, dill, and a few kitchen staples.
These pickles are quick to prepare. Plus, there’s no canning involved. Just mix your ingredients and let them chill.
Ingredients
- 6-7 pickling cucumbers
- 8 garlic cloves
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup white vinegar (or apple cider)
- 1 Tbsp kosher salt
- 1/2-1 tsp granulated sugar
- 4 tsp dill seeds
Cooking Instructions
- Slice the cucumbers into your desired shape.
- In a pot, combine water, vinegar, salt, and sugar. Stir and heat until dissolved.
- Add garlic and dill seeds.
- Pour the mixture over the cucumbers in a jar.
- Seal the jar and refrigerate for at least 48 hours before enjoying.
5) Quick Pickled Red Onions
Quick pickled red onions are a tasty way to add flavor to many dishes. They are easy to make and can be ready in just a few minutes.
You only need a few ingredients. Start by slicing a red onion thinly. You will also need vinegar, water, sugar, and salt.
Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a bowl. Add sugar and salt. Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve. Then, add the sliced onions.
Let them sit for about 15 minutes. You can enjoy them right away or store them in the fridge for later.
Ingredients
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Cooking Instructions
- Slice the red onion thinly.
- In a bowl, mix the water and both types of vinegar.
- Stir in the sugar and salt until dissolved.
- Add the sliced onion to the mixture.
- Let it sit for 15 minutes before serving.
6) Korean Pickled Radish
Korean pickled radish, known as danmuji, adds a crunchy and tangy flavor to many dishes. It’s a great side or snack and is easy to make at home.
To prepare, start by slicing the radish into strips or rounds. This helps it absorb the pickling liquid better.
You’ll need rice vinegar, sugar, salt, and water for the pickling solution. Mixing in turmeric gives it a vibrant yellow color.
Let the sliced radish sit in the brine for about 30 minutes for the best flavor. This dish pairs well with rice and grilled meats.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Korean radish or Daikon radish
- ½ cup rice vinegar
- ½ cup water
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon turmeric (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Slice the radish into thin strips.
- In a pot, combine vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and turmeric.
- Heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Pour the mixture over the radish in a glass jar.
- Let it cool, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
7) Pickled Garlic
Pickled garlic is a tasty treat that adds flavor to many dishes. It is easy to make and can be stored in your fridge for a few months. You can use fresh garlic cloves or whole heads for this recipe.
To start, gather your ingredients. You’ll need vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. You can choose white vinegar or apple cider vinegar based on your taste.
Ingredients
- 6 medium heads of garlic (or 2 cups peeled cloves)
- 1 cup white or apple cider vinegar (5% acidity)
- 1 cup filtered water
- 1.5 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Cooking Instructions
- Peel the garlic cloves and set them aside.
- In a pot, mix the vinegar, water, sugar, and salt.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
- Pack the garlic into clean jars.
- Pour the hot mixture over the garlic cloves, filling the jars.
- Let it cool, then seal and refrigerate. Enjoy!
8) Tangy Pickled Beets
Pickled beets are a tasty addition to salads or served as a side dish. They combine a sweet and tangy flavor that many enjoy. You can make them quickly and easily at home.
Start by cooking the beets until tender. You can boil them for about 30 to 45 minutes. Once cooked, peel and slice them into rounds or cubes.
Next, prepare the pickling liquid. Combine apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in a saucepan. Heat it until the sugar dissolves. Pour this mixture over your beets and let them cool.
Refrigerate the beets for at least 24 hours to let the flavors blend. Enjoy your homemade tangy pickled beets!
Ingredients
- 4 medium beets
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
Cooking Instructions
- Boil the beets in water for 30 to 45 minutes until tender.
- Peel and slice the cooked beets.
- In a saucepan, mix vinegar, water, sugar, and salt.
- Heat until sugar dissolves.
- Pour the liquid over the sliced beets.
- Let cool, then refrigerate for 24 hours.
9) Mustard Seed Pickled Carrots
Mustard seed pickled carrots are a tasty addition to any meal. They offer a tangy and slightly spicy flavor, making them a great side dish or snack.
To start, you’ll need fresh carrots, which you can cut into sticks or slices. This way, they will soak up the pickling brine better.
The brine includes vinegar, water, salt, garlic, and mustard seeds. This mixture gives the carrots their unique taste and crunch.
After mixing your ingredients, pack the carrots into a jar. Pour the brine over them and let them sit in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before enjoying.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds carrots
- 1 cup vinegar (white or apple cider)
- 1 cup water
- 1½ tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons mustard seeds
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Cooking Instructions
- Peel and slice the carrots into sticks.
- In a pot, mix vinegar, water, salt, garlic, and mustard seeds.
- Heat the mixture until salt dissolves, then cool.
- Pack carrots into a jar and pour brine over them.
- Seal the jar and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before eating.
10) Sweet and Tangy Watermelon Rind Pickles
Sweet and tangy watermelon rind pickles make a delicious treat. They are easy to prepare and can add a unique flavor to snacks or meals. You will enjoy the crunch and sweetness mixed with a hint of tang.
To make these pickles, start with fresh watermelon rinds. Remove any pink flesh and cut the rind into sticks. A mix of vinegar, sugar, and spices brings out the flavor.
Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- ½ small watermelon (about 3 lbs)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 cup white vinegar
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
- 1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, washed and sliced
Cooking Instructions
- Peel the watermelon. Then, cut the rind into sticks.
- In a bowl, mix water and salt. Next, soak the rind sticks for 2-3 hours.
- In a pot, combine vinegar, sugar, cinnamon, and ginger. Heat the mixture until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the watermelon rind and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Cool the rind sticks. Then, store them in jars in the fridge.