Quick and Easy Refrigerator Pickles
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Refrigerator pickles are quick and easy to make — no sterilizing jars or special equipment required.
Photo by Alexandra Grablewski (Chronicle Books, 2018)
The kids and I discovered a jar of these homemade refrigerator pickles in my parents’ refrigerator one day, and since then, no deli or store-bought pickles have ever come close. They were made by one of my mom’s oldest and dearest friends, Joanne Biltekoff, who is like an aunt to me. The best thing about Joanne’s pickles is that they’re quick and easy — no sterilizing jars or special canning equipment required. All you do is slice Kirby cucumbers into spears, cover them with brine, tuck them into the fridge, and they’re ready to eat the next day.
What You’ll Need To Make Refrigerator Pickles
The most important part of the recipe is to start with Kirby or pickling cucumbers. They’re short, squat and sometimes full of warts, but they make deliciously crisp pickles. Don’t be tempted to substitute another kind of cucumber or you’ll end up with soggy pickles.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Begin by making the brine. Combine the vinegar, salt and sugar in a small saucepan. Heat and stir until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved. Whisk in the cold water, then chill.
When cooking high-acid foods, be sure to use a cooking vessel made of a nonreactive material such as stainless steel, glass, ceramic or Teflon. Pots made from metals like aluminum, copper or cast iron will react with the acid and give your food a metallic taste.
Next, stuff the cucumbers into two 1-quart jars. Add the coriander and mustard seeds, garlic, red pepper flakes, dill sprigs to the jars, dividing evenly.
Cover the cucumbers with the chilled brine.
Cover and let sit in the refrigerator for about 24 hours, then serve. The pickles will keep in the fridge for up to one month.
These pickles will disappear quickly and you’ll likely get requests for more. You don’t have to start from scratch. You can use the pickle brine more than once — it should last for another batch or two of pickles!
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Quick & Easy Refrigerator Pickles
Refrigerator pickles are quick and easy to make — no sterilizing jars or special equipment required.
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups distilled white vinegar (5% acidity)
- 3 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 cups cold water
- 1¾ to 2 pounds Kirby cucumbers (about 6), cut into halves or spears
- 2 tablespoons coriander seeds
- 6 large garlic cloves, peeled and halved
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 16 dill sprigs
Instructions
- Combine the vinegar, salt and sugar in a small non-reactive saucepan (such as stainless steel, glass, ceramic or teflon) over high heat. Whisk until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Transfer the liquid into a bowl and whisk in the cold water. Refrigerate brine until ready to use.
- Stuff the cucumbers into two clean 1-quart jars. Add the coriander seeds, garlic cloves, mustard seeds, red pepper flakes, dill sprigs, and chilled brine into jars, dividing evenly. If necessary, add a bit of cold water to the jars until the brine covers the cucumbers. Cover and refrigerate about 24 hours, then serve. The pickles will keep in the refrigerator for up to one month.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
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These are delicious and so easy to make. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
This was an awesome recipe to make quick dill pickles. I grow my own dill and coriander and it all came together beautifully. My daughters ate 2 jars the day after I made them. I used Northern Pickling cucumbers that I grew from seed (Johnnys Seeds) and they were crunchy and delicious. The only thing I changed was rather than add red pepper flakes, I took a jalepeno from the garden and split it in half. One for each jar. And I ended up with a delicious dill pickled jalepeno. Thanks for this great recipe.
This is our new family favorite pickle recipe. I used the pickling cucumbers, dill and green beans I grew in my garden for the first batch. And, I didn’t have coriander, so just used the other spices. My son loved them so much that he said he has to change his answer to what food he would take if stranded on a desert island – “my mom’s” pickles. 🙂 Thanks for making me look so good!
I made these pickles 4 days before the 4th of July. Served them on the fourth to family and friends and they raved about them and they were gone in a second. They are now my dill pickle go to recipe….no need to try any others. Can’t wait to make more.
I’m about to make these tomorrow and just wondering if I can use other vegtables as well? Also what would make it a little spicy?
Hi Candace, Yes, you can definitely use other veggies. Some good options are green beans, bell peppers, celery and cauliflower. And if you want to spice things up a bit more, you could double the red pepper flakes. Enjoy!
Hi, can I make the brine a day ahead and add to pickles the next day?
Definitely- hope you enjoy them!
These are the absolute best dill pickles that I have ever eaten !!! They are flavorful, crisp, and addictive. I have now made 4 batches at the request of my family and they are clamoring for more. I would say however that I bought organic coriander and mustard seeds and it was a substantial improvement in flavor. Thank you for the great recipe.
I read your website regularly, and came across this recipe when I was looking for an alternative to my usual fresh dill pickle recipe. I have never had such delicious dill pickles….ever! You do have to have the pickling cucumbers….that is a must. In France I grew their “cornichons” in my garden, but I let them get bigger than the French people use them. They are the same type of cucumber as the Kirbys, and they always stay crisp. However, it seems to me that there is something special about this recipe. It is probably the ratio of water to vinegar (I think I used to use 50-50) and also chilling the brine before pouring it over the cucumbers. Whatever it is….I love them!!!
Excellent recipe! I brought these to a cocktail party and they were gone in less than 15 minutes. The only question I have is that I’ve read it is important to cut the blossom end of the cucumber because there’s an enzyme in the blossom that can make the pickle soft.
Made these for the first time yesterday and had to leave a review. If you like garlic dill pickles, make these! They are nothing but fabulous. I doubled the recipe but didn’t double the garlic and they’re still plenty garlicky. I’m super impressed by how easy this recipe is with such wonderful results. Thanks so much for posting. I have already shared the recipe AND the pickles!