Refrigerator Sweet Pickles, a quick and easy recipe! (2024)

A quick and easy Refrigerator Sweet Pickles recipe to preserve all those fresh garden cucumbers. It has a short ingredients list, with no need for fancy equipment!

Refrigerator Sweet Pickles, a quick and easy recipe! (1)

My Must-Make Refrigerator Sweet Pickles Recipe!

A number of years ago, my family – to include both my sisters and their husbands and kids – rendezvoused at my parents’ home in South Dakota.

It was early August, in the heat of summer. And our entire family hadn’t been altogether for way too long.For a few short days, we stepped away from routine to enjoy time together playing games, taking walks, swimming, catching fish, and just plain catching up.

And, oh yeh…eating.

Dad and Mom left no plate unturned, filling us up like only going home can do.

It was during this visit that I was reminded of, and treated to, Mom’sRefrigerator Sweet Pickles. It had been yeeeeeears since I had enjoyed them. How could I have possibly forgotten about these crunchy summer bites that I grew up with?! They’re now my must-make refrigerator sweet pickles recipe!

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Well, I’m not ashamed to say that I ate more than my fair share of Mom’s pickles. I spooned that tangy goodness onto my plate as if it were a salad, each and every meal.

Such is the case with me and pickles. Set some Pickled Squash in front of me. Or Pickled Asparagus. Or these Pickled Red Onions, that I’m never without. And I’m a happy prisoner to their pickled goodness.

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So, before we left, I asked Mom for the recipe.

Seems like every time I visit Dad and Mom, I take at least two or three recipes back home with me.

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How to Make Refrigerator Sweet Pickles

This recipe for refrigerator sweet pickles is a perfect way to preserve all those fresh end-of-summer garden cucumbers. The pickles come together in quick and easy fashion, with a short list of ingredients. And there’s no need for any fancy equipment.

Here’s what you need to do:

  • Make a simple pickling brine on the stovetop – I love the celery seeds in this!
  • Pour the brine over sliced cucumbers, onions, and green pepper – use a mandoline for quick, even veggie slices!
  • Store in the refrigerator. And you’re done!

THAT. Is the beauty of refrigerator pickles.

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What to Serve with Sweet Pickles

I like to eat these refrigerator sweet pickles absolutely any time of day, from breakfast to supper.

The pickles are great with a plate of breakfast eggs. They’re an excellent topper for burgers, hotdogs, egg salad sandwiches, tuna salad, and fried chicken sandwiches.

Anytime you’re looking for a fresh, bright, tangy contrast…these sweet pickles are your friend.

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One of my very favorite combinations, though, is to serve Mom’s sweet pickles with slow cooker sloppy joes and thick, rippled potato chips. It’s the very best food trio!

Like this easy pickles recipe? Save it to Pinterest!

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Refrigerator Sweet Pickles, a quick and easy recipe! (8)

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Mom’s Refrigerator Sweet Pickles

prep time: 20 minutes mins

cook time: 5 minutes mins

total time: 25 minutes mins

What a great way to preserve all those fresh end-of-summer garden cucumbers! This sweet pickles recipe is from my mom's recipe box, and comes together in quick and easy fashion. It has a short list of ingredients and there's no need for any fancy equipment!

4.5 Stars (165 Reviews)

Print

Ingredients

  • 7 cups thinly sliced cucumbers ends of cucumbers discarded
  • 1 cup thinly sliced onions chopped into smaller pieces if desired
  • 1 cup diced green bell pepper
  • 1 tablespoon pickling salt
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon celery seed
  • big sprig of fresh dill

Instructions

  • Combine cucumbers, onions, bell pepper, and pickling salt in large heat-proof bowl, preferably one with a lid. Stir and let sit on the counter for 1 hour. Drain well. (I use a Benriner mandoline for thin, even slicing.)

  • Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, heat the sugar, vinegar, and celery seed. Whisk rapidly until sugar dissolves completely.

  • Remove saucepan from heat. If you like a crisper pickle, let brine cool to room temperature (If you want to speed up the cooling, pour the brine into a separate bowl and place in the fridge or freezer to cool down quickly). Otherwise, just pour the hot brine over the cucumber mixture – this is what I usually do!

  • Add the dill and fold everything to combine. Place a lid on the bowl and refrigerate for 2 days before eating, to let flavors mingle. Eat straight from the bowl, or transfer to jars if desired. Pickles keep well for up to 3 weeks.

Notes

from Mom's recipe box

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 Calories: 95kcal Carbohydrates: 23g Protein: 1g Sodium: 31mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 21g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Spoonacular. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.

Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment below. And share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #afarmgirlsdabbles or tag @farmgirlsdabble!

© Brenda | A Farmgirl’s Dabbles

Cuisine: American

Course: Pickles, Jams & Preservation

Refrigerator Sweet Pickles, a quick and easy recipe! (2024)

FAQs

Which vinegar is best for sweet pickles? ›

For even more flavor, feel free to use white wine or champagne vinegar in place of the white vinegar, or use only cider vinegar, provided you're hitting that 5% benchmark. Spices: The combo of mustard seed and celery seed plus peppercorns is a pickling classic.

How long does it take for refrigerator pickles to be ready to eat? ›

The cucumbers will start off bright green, but will become darker and more "pickle-colored" as they cool. Place them in the refrigerator. Wait at least 24 hours before eating the pickles in order to let the flavors develop. Enjoy them within 1 month.

How long will homemade refrigerator pickles last? ›

Homemade refrigerated pickles last at least three to four weeks in the fridge, McClellan says. Any longer and the quality will start to decline. You'll notice the brine goes from clear to murky and cloudy, and the pickles start to lose their texture.

What is the ratio of vinegar to water for refrigerator pickles? ›

The basic ratio for quick pickles is 1:1 vinegar to water, and includes some combination of salt and sugar. Another ratio that is commonly followed is the 3:2:1 method, using three parts vinegar, two parts water, and 1 part sugar.

Is apple cider vinegar or vinegar better for pickles? ›

Because apple cider vinegar is made from apples rather than barley, corn rice or wine, it gives pickles a mellower taste. Using a white distilled vinegar, for example, will create a harsher flavour. But as well as being gentler on your palate, using apple cider vinegar also adds health benefits to pickles.

Do I have to boil vinegar for pickling? ›

Vinegar-based pickling is a much faster process than fermentation pickling. In its quickest form, you'll just boil a vinegar solution, pour it over the the object of your pickling desire, let it all cool and stash it in the fridge.

Why do pickle jars not say pickles? ›

Olive all use the term on their websites, in advertisem*nts, and in the product descriptions of their pickle varieties. When asked why the word isn't on the front of the jars, all three companies provided nearly the same answer: They feel the word “pickle” isn't necessary on pickles packaged in clear glass containers.

What keeps pickles crisp when canning? ›

Use Calcium Chloride

Calcium chloride (CaCl2), sometimes known as “pickle crisp”, is a type of salt that helps preserve the crunchiness of food. It is used in the food industry to help preserve the texture of canned fruit and vegetables.

Can you use pickle crisp in refrigerator pickles? ›

Bring to a boil and turn off heat, if pickling in the refrigerator. If you are canning the pickles, keep the brine at a simmer. Fill each clean jar with 2 garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp mustard seed, 1 bay leaf, 2 dill flower heads, and 1/8 tsp Ball® pickle crisp.

What is a quick pickle? ›

Quick pickles are vegetables stuffed into a jar and pickled in a liquid brine solution using a combination of vinegar, water, salt and/or sometimes sugar. They are stored in the refrigerator, rather than canned in a water bath. Quick pickles only require a few days in the brine before they can be enjoyed.

Can you pickle in straight vinegar? ›

Any basic vinegar is game — white vinegar, apple cider, white wine, and rice vinegar all work well. You can use these vinegars alone or in combination. Steer clear of aged or concentrated vinegars like balsamic or malt vinegar for pickling.

Which is the best vinegar for pickling? ›

Most pickle recipes call for distilled white vinegar. This is the clear, colorless vinegar made by fermenting grains. It has a mellow aroma, tart acid flavor and does not affect the color of light-colored vegetables or fruits.

What is the sweetest tasting vinegar? ›

Rice vinegar, or rice wine vinegar, is made from fermented rice wine. It has a sweet, delicate flavor and is less acidic compared to most types of vinegar.

Is white vinegar the same as distilled vinegar? ›

Now, don't confuse distilled with basic white vinegar, which is stronger and has up to 25% acetic acid. That vinegar is sold exclusively for cleaning purposes and is not a good idea to ingest. However, beyond cooking, distilled white vinegar can be used for many of the same household chores.

Can I use white distilled vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar? ›

According to Burdeos, if you're going to be using it for cooking, white vinegar can be successfully substituted for apple cider vinegar. Just note that it will taste slightly different and obviously won't have that hint of apple flavor if that's also what you're after.

Can you use any white vinegar for pickling? ›

Any basic vinegar is game — white vinegar, apple cider, white wine, and rice vinegar all work well. You can use these vinegars alone or in combination. Steer clear of aged or concentrated vinegars like balsamic or malt vinegar for pickling.

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