Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Dill Pickles


Ever since I made this potato salad with homemade pickled cucumber slices, I've been thinking about making my own pickles. They were so easy & delicious.
The Bozos are obsessed with pickles. If we ever go out for lunch to a place that serves pickles with their sandwiches, we have to ask for extra pickles on the side. So, that's another reason I thought it would be a good idea to try this. They took over a week to be ready & it was a long wait. But, they both said they were the best pickles they ever had.
To make your own pickles, first you will need some glass storage jars with lids. I used 1 liter jars. But, you can use whatever size you have on hand. You will just need to adjust the recipe accordingly.

Begin by bringing 9 cups of water, a 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons of white vinegar & 3 tablespoons of kosher salt to a boil. Let the mixture boil for 2 minutes. Next, you will need some small cucumbers. Use pickling cucumbers, if you can find them. But, any kind will work. If you can find the small variety, you will need about 12.

Cut the ends off & slice in halves, or quarters, depending on the size, or your preference. To both jars, add 2 cloves of garlic {peeled & smashed} & a pinch, or two of crushed red pepper flakes.

Then, stuff each jar with some fresh dill. They should be filled about halfway up. I needed one large bunch of dill for this.

Fill the jars with the cucumbers, arranging them so that you can fit as many in as possible. Pour the brine in, filling until the cucumbers are covered.

Latch the lid & allow the jars to sit on the counter for 2 days. After that, move them to the refrigerator & chill for 1 week.

Dill Pickles

Adapted from Sara Snow
Makes 2-1 liter jars of pickles

9 cups water
3 tablespoons kosher salt
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 large bunch of fresh dill {or 2 small}
4 cloves garlic, peeled & smashed
1/4 teaspoon {or more} crushed red pepper flakes
12 small cucumbers

Special Equipment: 2-1 liter glass storage jars.

Bring the water, kosher salt & vinegar to a boil in a saucepan. Allow the mixture to boil for 2 minutes.
Meanwhile, toss the garlic cloves into the jars. Sprinkle a bit of the red pepper flakes into each. Pack the bottoms of both jars with the fresh dill {the jars should be about half filled with the dill}. Cut the cucumbers in half, or quarters, depending on the size. Fit the cucumber pieces into the jars.
When the brine mixture is ready, pour it over the cucumbers, filling the jars. You may have a bit of brine left, depending on the size of your jars.
Clamp the jars shut & leave them on the counter for 2 days. Then, transfer to the refrigerator & chill for one week before eating.
Click here for the printable recipe.

18 comments:

Carla said...

Oh I can't wait until my cucumbers are growing in my garden so that I can make these pickles! Love your blog!

Laurie {Simply Scratch} said...

I am totally making these!! Thanks for the post!

MellietheBaker said...

So simple!! I love it. I am absolutely making these this spring. Thanks!

kathy said...

I like this post. My mom love pickles so much. Thanks for his recipe. :-)

Cooking Rookie said...

What a great recipe! I've been thinking about making my own pickles for a while and your post is a great inspiration! Plus your pictures are really beautiful!

Linn @ Swedish Home Cooking said...

Homemade pickles are just delicious! We use a lot of dill in the Swedish cuisine, but I've never tried to make pickles with it. I should do an episode with that in my online cooking show.

Isabelle said...

These look absolutely wonderful! We're total pickle addicts in our house, but I've yet to find a recipe that doesn't give me mushy, rubbery pickles.
Time to go find some mini cukes and give this one a try. :)

LauraCYW said...

Mini cumcumbers are everywhere right now. What a perfect time to make some pickles. I have been itching to brine something for months. Thanks for the post!

Janice said...

Just saw your post on top 9 in Food Buzz and then I visited Tasty Kitchen and there were your pickles! I love dill pickles, they look great!

Anonymous said...

These look delicious! I've always wanted to try making my own pickles.

How many 1-liter jars did you use for the 12 pickle batch?

Also, how long do they last? My husband and I both love pickles, but we don't go through them all THAT quickly...

Thanks!

katie said...

deezahoney~
I used 2-1 liter jars. I would say they would last a month, maybe two.

Diaczun Style said...

great photos, great idea!!

Lisa Avant said...

My husband has asked me for months to make pickles. I am so intimidated by the canning method using jars and boiling water. This is one I will definitely try! Thanks for posting.

linda a. waterhouse said...

Hi! First time in 40+ years I've "pickled my own cukes". With your no-canning recipe, can I use ANY jars (w/lids) on hand?

They're COMING! Thanks. Can't wait!

david said...

are you supposed to pour the brine in while it's still hot?

Anonymous said...

So where is the recipe for true Swedish homemade pickles made with parsley?! They are also very easy (even easier than this recipe) and it fits your theme since they're made with parsley.

Jody said...

We need the answer to David's question, Please. Brine is poured into jars hot or cooled down?
Thank You

katie said...

Jody - I let the brine cool a little while. It was still on the warm side, but not boiling hot. You could make the brine, then let it sit while you prepare everything else. By the time you're done, the brine should be at a good temperature.

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