Home Recipes Dishes & Beverages Edible Gifts

Easy Homemade Pickles

Name: Easy Homemade Pickles
Prep time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 quarts.
Ingredients: 14 pickling cucumbers; 40 fresh dill sprigs; 4 garlic cloves, sliced; 4 quarts water; 2 cups cider vinegar; 1 cup sugar; 2/3 cup salt; 2 teaspoons mixed pickling spices

Add a Review

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 45 min. + chilling

Makes

4 quarts

My husband grows cucumbers, garlic and dill in the garden and eagerly waits for me to make these homemade pickles. The recipe comes from my grandmother.—Angela Lienhard, Blossburg, Pennsylvania

Easy Homemade Pickles Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Next Recipe

Ingredients

14 pickling cucumbers
40 fresh dill sprigs
4 garlic cloves, sliced
4 quarts water
2 cups cider vinegar
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup salt
2 teaspoons mixed pickling spices

Directions

Cut each cucumber lengthwise into six spears. In a large bowl, combine cucumbers, dill and garlic; set aside.
In a Dutch oven, combine remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil; cook and stir just until sugar is dissolved. Pour over cucumber mixture; cool.
Transfer to jars if desired and cover tightly. Refrigerate for at least 24 hours. Store in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

Homemade Pickles Tips

What kind of cucumbers should you use to make homemade pickles?

Pickling cucumbers, aka Kirby cucumbers, are most commonly used for pickling. We like these small and firm pickles because they give you that fantastic pickle crunch. You can pickle any kind of cucumber, slicing them how you like. One thing to note is that English cucumbers will produce a softer pickle, but still tasty! Learn about all the types of pickles—from bread and butter to classic dill.

Can you cut the cucumbers into slices or coins instead of spears when making this homemade pickles recipe?

It really depends on your end goal. You can cut them into coins, which makes them great for sandwich toppings. Leave them whole for snacking, or cut them into spears to dunk into a Bloody Mary. No matter how you cut them, they will be delicious!

How can you serve homemade pickles?

These pickles are best enjoyed when chilled. They'd make a great side at any barbecue. Besides the usual toppings for a burger, try chopping these up and adding them to this delicious potato salad for a little more kick!

—Ellie Crowley, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant

Nutrition Facts

1 spear: 5 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 280mg sodium, 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Free food.