These Refrigerator Pickles are full of flavor, super easy to make with no canning required and makes a nice addition to meals. Just keep in the fridge until you’re ready to eat them!
Have you ever tried to make your own refrigerator pickles? It’s so easy and fun! All you need is a jar of vinegar, some cucumbers, onions, salt, sugar, red pepper flakes (optional), garlic cloves (optional), and celery seed. You can also include carrots or green beans if desired.
Simply slice the cucumbers into thin rounds then place them in jars with the other ingredients for about twenty-four hours. After that they’re ready to eat! It’s a great way to use up all those extra cucumbers this summer and delicious on sandwiches or as an appetizer.
Why You’ll Love Refrigerator Pickles
- They are easy to make with no cooking involved.
- No canning equipment is required.
- You use fresh ingredients like cucumbers and onions.
- There are endless flavor combinations!
- Refrigerator pickles will last longer than other recipes because they require refrigeration after preparation.
- They make great gifts since they stay good for months in the refrigerator.
What is the best way to enjoy refrigerator pickles?
- Serve them as a side dish with any meal.
- Add them to salads for a little bit of extra flavor.
- Eat them by themselves as snack.
- Add them to burgers or sandwiches.
- Serve as an appetizer or snack on a charcuterie board.
Tips and Variations for Refrigerator Pickles
- Using fresh ingredients results in crisp pickles! Try out unusual flavors such as chili or garlic.
- Any leftover brine can be used in salad dressings and marinades, or to boil new potatoes or eggs.
- Make them spicy but adding 1/2 – 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes.
- Choose firm vegetables for best results.
- Wash all fruits and veggies thoroughly until they are clean.
- You can also use organic ingredients if you prefer. Organic produce is pesticide-free so it will not interfere with the flavors of your pickles.
- If you are using cucumbers from the store, choose ones that have no wax. When waxed cucumbers are submerged in brine they can turn cloudy instead of clear.
- The original refrigerator pickles recipe used salt and vinegar but other recipes substituted them for honey, sugar or even maple syrup. Experiment to find out which tastes best in your kitchen!
- Salt water can improve the flavor of any pickle recipe by soaking it beforehand.
- Store refrigerator pickles in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them fresh.
Ingredients
Makes: 3 pint jars (recipe can be doubled)
4 cups thinly sliced cucumbers
1 cup thinly sliced onions
1 cup sugar
½ cup apple cider vinegar
1 TBSP salt
½ TBSP celery seed
Additional Supplies
3 pint size mason jars with rings and lids
Medium size bowl
Canning funnel (helpful but not required)
How to Make Refrigerator Pickles
There’s no need for canning equipment because these can just be put in the refrigerator. These can be eaten after 24 hours but, I prefer to let them sit several days to 1 week before eating so they completely absorb the flavors.
Step 1: Cut cucumbers into spears or thin slices. Pro Tip: Use a mandoline slicer for quick and even cuts every time.
Step 2: Slice onions thinly.
Step 3: Add onions and cucumbers to a bowl.
Step 4: Sprinkle salt and celery seed onto onions and cucumbers and thoroughly mix. Add sugar to bowl.
Step 5: Add apple cider vinegar to bowl and thoroughly mix.
Step 6: Fill clean mason jars with cucumber mixture and divide the apple cider juice between all of them.
Step 7: Cover mason jars with lid and ring and place in the refrigerator for one week to absorb all the flavors.
Recipe
Refrigerator Pickles Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups thinly sliced cucumbers
- 1 cup thinly sliced onions
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 TBSP salt
- ½ TBSP celery seed
Additional Supplies
- 3 pint size mason jars with rings and lids
- Medium size bowl
- Canning funnel helpful but not required
Instructions
- Cut cucumbers into spears or thin slices. Pro Tip: Use a mandoline slicer for quick and even cuts every time.
- Slice onions thinly.
- Add onions and cucumbers to a bowl.
- Sprinkle salt and celery seed onto onions and cucumbers and thoroughly mix. • Add sugar to bowl.
- Add apple cider vinegar to bowl and thoroughly mix.
- Fill clean mason jars with cucumber mixture and divide the apple cider juice between all of them.
- Cover mason jars with lid and ring and place in the refrigerator for one week to absorb all the flavors.
Notes
Tips and Variations for Refrigerator Pickles
- Using fresh ingredients results in crisp pickles! Try out unusual flavors such as chili or garlic.
- Any leftover brine can be used in salad dressings and marinades, or to boil new potatoes or eggs.
- Make them spicy but adding 1/2 - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes.
- Choose firm vegetables for best results.
- Wash all fruits and veggies thoroughly until they are clean.
- You can also use organic ingredients if you prefer. Organic produce is pesticide-free so it will not interfere with the flavors of your pickles.
- If you are using cucumbers from the store, choose ones that have no wax. When waxed cucumbers are submerged in brine they can turn cloudy instead of clear.
- The original refrigerator pickles recipe used salt and vinegar but other recipes substituted them for honey, sugar or even maple syrup. Experiment to find out which tastes best in your kitchen!
- Salt water can improve the flavor of any pickle recipe by soaking it beforehand.
- Store refrigerator pickles in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them fresh.
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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