Description
Learn how to make delicious traditional kosher dill pickles at home with this simple recipe. These pickles are full of flavor and perfect for snacking or as a side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pickles:
- 2 pounds pickling cucumbers (4–5 inches long)
Brine:
- 4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon pickling spice (optional)
Additional Flavors:
- 4 cloves garlic (smashed)
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1–2 sprigs fresh dill per jar
- 1 bay leaf per jar
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Other:
- 2 wide-mouth pint jars with lids (sterilized)
Instructions
- Prepare Cucumbers: Wash the cucumbers thoroughly and trim the blossom end (about 1/16 inch).
- Make Brine: In a saucepan, combine water and kosher salt, and heat until the salt is fully dissolved. Let the brine cool to room temperature.
- Assemble Jars: Divide the garlic, peppercorns, mustard seeds, dill, bay leaves, and red pepper flakes (if using) between the jars.
- Pack Cucumbers: Pack the cucumbers tightly into the jars vertically.
- Add Brine: Pour the cooled brine over the cucumbers, covering them completely.
- Seal Jars: Tap jars gently to remove air bubbles and seal with lids.
- Storage: Store in a cool, dark place or refrigerate. For fermented pickles, leave at room temperature for 5–7 days, checking daily for bubbles and taste. Once desired sourness is reached, move to the fridge. For quick pickles, refrigerate immediately and let sit for 48 hours before enjoying.
Notes
- Use pickling cucumbers for best texture.
- To keep pickles crisp, you can add a grape leaf or a pinch of tannin-rich black tea to each jar.
- These pickles will keep in the fridge for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish, Snack
- Method: No-Cook, Fermentation
- Cuisine: Jewish, Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pickle spear
- Calories: 5
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
