This refrigerator dill pickle recipe is easy and produces crunchy dills with the perfect balance of vinegar, garlic, and dill.
Quickly turn garden or farmer’s market cucumbers into homemade pickles for burgers, salads, or refreshing summertime snacks with a tangy twist.
You Will Love These Refrigerator Dill Pickles Because…
- This fun and easy pickle recipe will make any new cook feel like a pro.
- Basic pantry ingredients are all you need for a tangy brine and crispy, crunchy pickles.
- Make large batches of homemade dill pickles as hostess or guest gifts at parties and BBQs.
Ingredients
Cucumbers: Ordinary field or garden cucumbers work for pickling, but Kirby or Persian cucumbers are best because they are dense with fewer seeds. Be sure to cut your cukes to fit the jars.
Brine: White vinegar produces clean, clear brine and bright green pickle chips. Apple cider vinegar works great, too (the brine will be a little cloudy). Fresh sprigs of dill, thyme, oregano, or rosemary add flavor and presentation to refrigerator dill pickles.
Variations
- Refrigerator dill pickles can be cut into spears, chips (coins), or long slices, anything goes.
- A few sliced habaneros or jalapenos add visual interest to a jar of homemade pickles…and a spicy kick!
- I also like pearl onions, fresh green beans, garlic cloves, or carrot matchsticks.
How to Make Refrigerator Dill Pickles
- Bring water, vinegar, salt, sugar, and peppercorns to a boil. Remove from heat and cool.
- Layer sliced cucumbers, garlic, and dill in prepared jars (recipe below).
- Pour cooled brine over the cucumbers, seal, and refrigerate.
- Shake the jar before opening.
Helpful Hints
- No need to sterilize jars, rings, and lids in boiling water. A quick run through the dishwasher will sterilize the jars and lids, but be sure any detergent has been thoroughly rinsed off.
- Make refrigerator pickles at least three days in advance and keep them chilled for the best quality and flavor.
- Keep the brine once the pickles are gone and add sliced red onions. Let them marinate for a few days in the brine and enjoy pickled onions on salads, burgers, and sandwiches.
Storing Refrigerator Dill Pickles
Refrigerator dill pickles will stay fresh for up to two months in a jar or covered container. They will still be fresh after two months, but not as crunchy (perfect for topping burgers or adding to egg salad).
Add Pickles To…
Did you enjoy this Refrigerator Dill Pickle Recipe? Be sure to leave a comment and rating below.
Refrigerator Dill Pickles
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3½ cups water
- ¾ cup white vinegar
- ½ tablespoon coarse salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 6 peppercorns
- 2 pounds mini cucumbers sliced
- 3-5 cloves garlic
- 4 sprigs fresh dill or to taste
Instructions
- In a saucepan combine water, vinegar, salt, sugar, and peppercorns 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.
REPIN this Refrigerator Dill Pickle Recipe
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.
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) .
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: 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.