Fine Sea Salt or Pickling Salt: Crucial for flavor and preservation, helps draw moisture from vegetables.
Whole Yellow Mustard Seeds, Whole Black Peppercorns: Add classic pickle spice and subtle heat, providing traditional bread and butter pickle flavor.
Celery Seed: Contributes distinctive, slightly herbal undertone to the pickle brine.
Steps to Make Crisp, Flavorful Refrigerator Pickles with Ease
Step 1: Sanitize Jars
Thoroughly wash jars and lids with scalding hot water to eliminate any potential bacteria. Dry completely with a clean kitchen towel.
Step 2: Prepare Cucumber Slices
Wash cucumbers under cool running water
Trim both ends of the cucumbers
Slice cucumbers into
* Thin rounds (1/8-inch thick)
* Diagonal spears
* Crinkle-cut shapes for extra visual appeal
Step 3: Slice Complementary Veggies
Peel and thinly slice onions into delicate rings or half-moons
Optional: Add thinly sliced bell peppers for extra crunch and color
Step 4: Build Flavor Foundation
Gather aromatic spices:
Whole black peppercorns
Mustard seeds
Celery seeds
Optional: Dill seeds or fresh dill sprigs
Step 5: Create Tangy Brine
In a medium saucepan, combine:
White vinegar
Apple cider vinegar
Filtered water
Granulated sugar
Kosher salt
Simmer over medium heat until sugar and salt dissolve completely
Step 6: Layer Pickles in Jars
Alternate cucumber slices and onion rings
Sprinkle spices between layers
Leave 1/2-inch headspace at jar top
Step 7: Pour Hot Brine
Carefully pour warm brine over cucumber mixture
Ensure vegetables are completely submerged
Gently tap jars to release air bubbles
Step 8: Seal and Chill
Secure jar lids tightly
Refrigerate immediately
Allow pickles to marinate for 24-48 hours
Step 9: Enjoy Fresh Pickles
Pickles will keep up to two weeks in refrigerator
Serve as a crisp side dish or sandwich companion
Best enjoyed chilled
Quick Tips for That Perfect Sweet-Sour Pickle Crunch
Choose Fresh Cucumbers: Select crisp, firm cucumbers without blemishes for the crunchiest pickles possible.
Slice Uniformly: Cut cucumbers to consistent thickness to ensure even pickling and attractive presentation.
Don't Skimp on Spices: Layer peppercorns, mustard seeds, and celery seed generously for maximum flavor complexity.
Submerge Completely: Make sure cucumber pieces are fully covered by brine to prevent spoilage and promote even pickling.
Patience Pays Off: Let pickles marinate in refrigerator for full 48 hours to develop deep, tangy flavor profile before serving.
How to Store Bread & Butter Pickles for Maximum Crispness
Refrigerate: Store pickles in sealed jars in the coldest part of the refrigerator, ensuring they remain fully submerged in the brine to maintain crispness and flavor.
Shelf Life: Consume refrigerator pickles within two weeks for optimal taste and texture, checking for any signs of spoilage before serving.
Reheating: These pickles are best enjoyed cold and do not require reheating. Simply remove from the refrigerator, drain excess liquid, and serve directly as a crisp, tangy side dish or sandwich topping.
Pairings That Shine with These Sweet Refrigerator Pickles
Savor with Sandwiches: Slice these tangy pickles onto grilled cheese, turkey clubs, or roast beef sandwiches for an extra crunch and zesty kick that brightens every bite.
Match with Charcuterie: Arrange these bread and butter pickles alongside cured meats, sharp cheeses, and crusty artisan bread to create a balanced and delightful appetizer board.
Pair with Cold Beverages: Complement the pickles' vinegary profile with a crisp pilsner, dry white wine like sauvignon blanc, or a refreshing gin and tonic that cuts through the pickle's richness.
Elevate Burger Night: Top juicy burgers with these homemade pickles to add a sweet and tangy dimension that transforms an ordinary meal into a gourmet experience.
Ways to Add a Twist to Bread & Butter Pickle Batches
Spicy Pickle Kick: Add sliced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the jars for a fiery flavor profile that brings extra heat to the classic bread and butter pickles.
Herb-Infused Batch: Incorporate fresh dill, tarragon, or rosemary sprigs between cucumber layers to create an aromatic and herbaceous pickle variation that elevates the traditional recipe.
Garlic Lovers' Edition: Crush several whole garlic cloves and layer them with cucumbers to intensify the pickle's robust flavor and add a deep, savory undertone to the brine.
Asian-Inspired Pickle: Replace some vinegar with rice vinegar and add ginger slices and a touch of sesame oil to give the pickles an exotic, tangy Asian-inspired taste profile.
Bread & Butter Refrigerator Pickles to Try
Quick and Easy Pickle Preparation: Whip up these delightful pickles in under 30 minutes with minimal cooking skills required, making it perfect for beginners and busy home cooks.
Burst of Tangy-Sweet Flavor: Enjoy a perfect balance of vinegar's sharp tang and sugar's subtle sweetness, creating a mouth-watering condiment that complements sandwiches, burgers, and charcuterie boards.
Customizable Crunch Factor: Control your pickle texture by choosing between spears or thin slices, allowing you to create the exact crispness you desire for different dishes and personal preferences.
No-Fuss Refrigerator Storage: Skip complicated canning processes and store these pickles directly in the refrigerator, ensuring a fresh, crisp snack that lasts up to two weeks with minimal effort and preparation.
Quick and tangy bread & butter refrigerator pickles deliver a zesty crunch that elevates any sandwich or snack. Crisp cucumber slices swim in a sweet-and-sour brine, promising a refrigerator staple you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
1 pound (452 g) kirby or other pickling cucumbers
0.5 large onion, thinly sliced
Vinegars:
1 cup (240 g) white vinegar
0.5 cup (119.5 g) cider vinegar
0.5 cup (120 g) filtered water
Spices and Seasonings:
0.75 cup (150 g) granulated sugar
2 tablespoons (36 g) fine sea salt or pickling salt
1 tablespoon (11 g) whole yellow mustard seeds
1 tablespoon (10 g) whole black peppercorns
1 teaspoon celery seed
Instructions
Meticulously cleanse glass containers with scalding water to eliminate potential bacterial contamination, ensuring pristine storage conditions for your pickles.
Transform fresh cucumbers into slim, elegant spears or delicate rounds, selecting your preferred cut with precision and care.
Create a harmonious layering technique inside sanitized jars, strategically nestling cucumber segments alongside whisper-thin onion slices for optimal flavor integration.
Generously cascade peppercorns, mustard seeds, and celery seed across the vegetable landscape, distributing aromatic spices with artistic intention.
Craft a vibrant brine by gently heating vinegar varieties, water, salt, and sugar in a saucepan, stirring until crystalline ingredients dissolve completely into a translucent liquid.
Cascade the warm vinegar mixture over the waiting vegetables, ensuring complete submersion and allowing minimal air pockets for maximum pickling potential.
Firmly seal jars and transfer to refrigeration, permitting flavoralchemy to unfold over 24-48 hours as ingredients meld and transform.
After patient marination, unveil your tangy refrigerator pickles – a crisp, zesty delicacy ready to elevate any culinary experience and promising refrigerated preservation for approximately two weeks.
Notes
Crisp, tangy pickles await your taste buds with this simple refrigerator method that transforms ordinary cucumbers into a zesty snack.
Fresh ingredients and minimal cooking create a quick pickle solution perfect for summer gatherings or spontaneous cravings.
Homemade preservation technique delivers restaurant-quality results without complex canning processes or specialized equipment.
Recipe Development and Testing, Culinary Education, Food Writing and Blogging, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.
Le Cordon Bleu Paris
Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.
Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability.
Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops.
His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.
Alex Reed
Founder & Lead Content Writer
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Culinary Education, Food Writing and Blogging, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Le Cordon Bleu Paris
Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability.
Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops.
His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.