Refrigerator Dill Pickles are a quick and easy way to convert delicate cucumbers into yummy pickles!
Pickles are so delicious as a snack or even in recipes like Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf or on top of a juicy turkey burger! Plus making this garlic dill pickle recipe from scratch makes adding pickles to everyday meals easier and tastier!
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Refrigerator Dill Pickles
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Fresh Homemade Pickles
This is the best recipe, hands down for tackling your bounty of pickling cukes. The addition of garlic gives them a bright and pungent flavor and it has just the right balance of salt, vinegar and dill. It’s definitely a winning recipe to pull out every summer.
Store bought pickles are convenient and tasty in their own right, but there is just something so personal about homemade goods! Served with pride, these refrigerator dill pickles are the perfect side dish or appetizer for when guests pop by, plus they make thoughtful hostess gifts as well.
How to Make Refrigerator Pickles
Refrigerator pickles skip the stress of old fashioned canning! With only minutes of prep, and in only 3 days time, you can begin to enjoy them!
- Bring water, vinegar, salt, sugar, and peppercorns to a boil. Remove the brine and allow it to cool completely.
- Slice cucumbers into ½” rounds and alternate with garlic and dill in mason jars until the jars are packed.
- Pour cooled brine into each jar. Seal and refrigerate.
Do You Need to Sterilize Jars for Refrigerator Pickles?
Jars don’t need to be sterilized for this garlic dill pickle recipe, however, a quick pass through the dishwasher will wash and sterilize the jars and lids (lids and rings for canning lids) to give you peace of mind.
Storage Questions & Answers
Do Pickles Need to be Refrigerated? If pickles go through the traditional sterile canning and sealing process, they can be stored at room temperature safely. But refrigerator pickles are definitely intended for shorter-term cold storage, so keep them in the fridge. Besides, pickles are best when they are cold, crisp, and crunchy! The seasonings they are brined with are magnified on the palate so much more when served cold!
How Long Do Refrigerator Pickles Last? Refrigerator pickles will stay yummy and last about two months in the refrigerator as long as they are in a covered container. Much longer after that and they are not as crunchy as they could be, but they are still perfect to top burgers with!
Variations, Tips and Add-ins!
- Slice pickles in quarters vertically so you have spears that are perfect for martinis or caesars!
- Leave pickles refrigerated for longer than 3 days before enjoying for far better flavor, so be patient!
- Are you a garlic lover? Add an extra clove or two depending on how many cucumbers you have.
- Pump up that flavor game and add sprigs of oregano, basil, or rosemary. Even small dried red chiles add zest and heat!
- Kalamata olives blend beautifully with pickled cucumbers! A dash of red pepper flakes or a few pieces of star anise create a spicy pickle!
More Side Dish Recipes To Try
- Fried Cabbage with Bacon – a wholesome side dish.
- Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts – too good!
- Easy Greek Salad – so fresh and simple to make.
- Tomato Salad – perfect summer side dish.
- Caprese Pasta Salad -can be served as a main dish too.
Refrigerator Dill Pickles
Ingredients
- 3½ cups water
- ¾ cup white vinegar
- ½ tablespoon coarse salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 6 peppercorns
- 2 lbs mini cucumbers sliced
- 4 large sprigs fresh dill or to taste
- 3-5 cloves garlic
Instructions
- Combine water, vinegar, salt, sugar and peppercorns in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and cool completely.
- Slice Cucumber into ½" rounds. Place cloves of garlic in a glass jar (or jars).
- Layer dill and cucumbers and pour cooled brine over the cucumbers.
- Seal and refrigerate at least 3 days before serving.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
©The Shortcut Kitchen. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
can you use dill seed I don’t know where I would get fresh dill aymore
Hi Donna, for best results we used fresh dill but dill seed should work in a pinch.
Like!!
What size jars do you show pictured? Recipe says makes 2 but 2 of what size? What did you use?
Hi Joyce, we were able to make two pint jars with this recipe.
You can re-use the brine very successfully to make pickled eggs. Just hard boil some eggs, peel, and fill up the pickle jar. Leave in the fridge for about 1 week and then enjoy.
Great idea P. Lynn! Thanks for sharing!
Can I use regular cucumbers and maybe slice them thicker?  I was gifted with a case of cucumbers and don’t want then to go to waste.Â
Thank you
I’ve only tried the recipe as written Christina, so can’t say for sure. I think it would work though. Please let us know if you try it with regular cucumbers!
How do you make bread and butter pickles
Khadijah, you’ll find bread and butter refrigerator pickles on my other site, Spend With Pennies! Enjoy!
Do you think they’d work without the salt or the salt substitute?
I have only tried the recipe as written. I can’t say for sure how it would work without the salt.
Could I refuse the brine once all the delicious pickles are gone?
Karen, you could use the pickle juice in another recipe, like my Copycat Chick-fil-A Sandwiches, Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf, or my favorite Dill Pickle Pasta Salad! I can’t say for sure if it would work to use it to make more pickles.
Can splenda be used instead of sugar???
I’ve only tried the recipe as written. Let us know if you try it!
How can you make them bread and butter pickles
I have only made the recipe as written.
Very excited to try these, I make the same version but omit the sugar and they sit on kitchen counter with no lid , just cheese clothe to keep fruit flys out, for about 5 days. (Polish Recipe) .Â
Let us know how it turns out for you Chris!
Instead of going to the expense of the canning lids, buy the plastic ones they sell now. That is what I use when I make something for the fridge
I love those lids too Pete!
Is this 3-5 cloves of garlic and 5 sprigs of dill in each jar or per jar?
1-2 cloves and 2 or so sprigs per jar
Has anyone tried to peel the cucumber?
What other veggies can you use?
I have only made the recipe as written Jill
I was wondering the same thing! Have you tried it Jill?
Could you please clarify:Â Quart or pint size jars?
And…
Can I leave out the sugar?
 Low carb diabetic…
Thank yooouuuu!
You can use whatever size jars you’d like for this recipe. I’ve only tried the recipe as written. Leaving out the sugar will change the taste. Let us know if you try it!
Nanabella, you can check out Holly’s Easy Low Carb website for more low carb recipes!
How many jars of pickles dies this recipe make ?
This recipe will make 2 jars.
Can you can these if you like to make them last on the shelf?
I haven’t tried to can them. Please let us know how it works for you if you do try it!
Spell check… Lol… I give up
LOL! I got you. 🙂
I’m sorry I meant seal the jars.. Gotta love that work check
Does the boiling water deal the jars just by pooring it on top? Also once you make these do they need to stay in the fridge or can they go on the shelf until opened.
These are refrigerator pickles so they are not canned or sealed. They must be stored in the refrigerator and will last a month or so.
Serving: 2 jars…..what size jars?
How long can you store pickles … ? months
They must be stored in the refrigerator and will last a month or so.
How long do they last in the refrigerator
They will last a month or so.
I dislike sweet pickles, does the 1 Tablespoon of sugar make these sweet? Could you make it without?
The sugar doesn’t make these pickles sweet.
How long will they last in the fridge?
They will last a month or so.
How long do these last in the refrigerator?
They will last a month or so.
How long will these last in the fridge. If you have a lot of cucumbers would it be better to can?
They must be stored in the refrigerator and will last a month or so.
Could I make these without dill? I’m allergic.
You sure can!
How long will they last in the refrigerator after opening?
They will last a month or so.