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When it comes to homemade pickles, few varieties can match the tangy flavor and crisp texture of refrigerator dill pickles. With just a handful of ingredients and a simple brining process, these pickles are not only easy to make, but they also offer a burst of freshness and flavor that you won’t find in store-bought alternatives.
Even if this is the first time you try to make your own homemade jar of pickles, you’ll see how easy this recipe is! What’s not to love about a homemade crunchy dill pickle when you’re eating a loaded club sandwich, a homemade sloppy joe sandwich, or a stuffed burger?
Table of Contents
- Why I Love This Recipe
- Ingredients Needed for this Dill Pickle Recipe
- How to Make Refrigerator Dill Pickles
- Step 1: Thoroughly Wash the Cucumbers
- Step 2: Slice the cucumbers into slices or spears.
- Step 3: Prepare the Garlic and Dill
- Step 4: Make the Pickle Brine
- Step 5: Add Ingredients to Jars
- Step 6: Pickle the Cucumbers
- Pickling Cucumbers vs Other Cucumber Varieties
- Homemade Pickle FAQs
- My Favorite Pickle Recipes
- Easy Refrigerator Dill Pickles Recipe
Why I Love This Recipe
Every summer, this easy homemade pickle recipe is one of my most viewed recipes, and for good reason!
- Quick and Easy Process – One of the best things about refrigerator dill pickles is their simplicity and convenience. Unlike traditional canning methods that involve a hot water bath, refrigerator pickles require no canning process. Instead, you can store them in quart or pint jars directly in the refrigerator.
- Crisp and Flavorful – The absence of heat processing allows the pickles to retain their crunchiness, resulting in a crisp pickle that is ready to enjoy the next day.
- Versatile and Delicious – Fresh pickles make a great snack. The pickle juice can be used in recipes like remoulade sauce. They can also be used in recipes like potato salad or ham salad, relishes, or even on a charcuterie board.
These are seriously the best dill quick pickles you’ll ever enjoy!
Ingredients Needed for this Dill Pickle Recipe
- Fresh Dill and Garlic Cloves – These aromatic components infuse the pickling brine with their distinct flavors. The dill’s herbal notes add depth, while the garlic provides a subtle pungency that complements the tangy vinegar brine perfectly.
- For the Vinegar Brine – White vinegar plays a crucial role in the pickle-making process. The vinegar brine not only acts as a preservative but also imparts that signature tangy flavor. The combination of vinegar, water, kosher salt, and a bit of sugar create a flavorful brine that balances the freshness of the cucumbers.
How to Make Refrigerator Dill Pickles
Step 1: Thoroughly Wash the Cucumbers
You want to make sure they’re completely free of any dirt or residue.
Step 2: Slice the cucumbers into slices or spears.
No need to discard the ends of the cucumbers – they make great tangy dill pickles too! To get the fun wavy cut, use a crinkle cutting tool.
Step 3: Prepare the Garlic and Dill
Remove the garlic cloves from the bulb. Smash them by holding a large chef’s knife or the bottom of a glass on top of them and pressing down.
Separate the fresh dill from the thick stems.
Step 4: Make the Pickle Brine
Heat the brine in a saucepan. The brine consists of water, vinegar, salt, and sugar.
Bring this mixture to a rolling boil and then remove it from the heat. You basically want to swirl it around so that the salt and sugar dissolve. Let the brine cool to room temperature.
Step 5: Add Ingredients to Jars
Loosely layer the prepared cucumbers with the smashed garlic, fresh dill, and black peppercorns into sanitized Mason quart jars (aka canning jars). You can use pint-sized or half-gallon sized jars if you wish too.
Step 6: Pickle the Cucumbers
Pour the brine over your freshly cut cucumbers that have been arranged in the jars with the garlic, dill, and peppercorns.
Place the homemade dill pickles in the refrigerator for a week and voila – they’re ready!
Pickling Cucumbers vs Other Cucumber Varieties
Pickling cucumbers, also known as picklers or Kirby cucumbers, are cucumbers specifically cultivated for the purpose of pickling.
They are distinct from other types of cucumbers, such as slicing cucumbers or salad cucumbers, due to their unique characteristics. Here are some ways in which pickling cucumbers differ from other cucumbers:
- Size: Pickling cucumbers are usually smaller in size compared to slicing cucumbers. They are typically shorter, measuring around 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) in length, which makes them more suitable for fitting into jars and brining solutions.
- Texture: Pickling cucumbers have a crisp and firm texture, which helps them retain their crunchiness during the pickling process. This is an important quality for producing delicious pickles.
- Skin: The skin of pickling cucumbers is thinner and often more bumpy or warty compared to slicing cucumbers. This allows the pickling solution and spices to penetrate the cucumber more easily, resulting in a well-flavored pickle.
- Seeds: Pickling cucumbers tend to have smaller seeds and a lower seed count compared to slicing cucumbers. This is desirable because larger seeds can sometimes contribute to a softer texture in pickles.
- Taste: Pickling cucumbers generally have a milder and less watery flavor compared to slicing cucumbers. Their flavor profile is better suited to absorbing the flavors of the brine and spices used in the pickling process.
Due to these characteristics, pickling cucumbers are the preferred choice when making pickles.
Homemade Pickle FAQs
Because of the popularity of this recipe, I get a lot of questions and comments. Here are the most common questions I get with this recipe along with my answers.
I’ve always found pickling cucumbers at the farmer’s market. They seem to be everyone’s favorite to grow in their own garden as well. One pickling cucumber plant will produce a ton!
Grocery stores will carry pickling cumbers as well, but they are definitely a seasonal item.
Yes, in fact, many quick-pickle recipes call for ACV. With dill pickles, however, I prefer the taste of white vinegar, but this is just what I like.
The salt and vinegar brine will keep these cucumbers fresh in the refrigerator for a long time. That said, I think they are best if eaten within a couple of months.
I find that the fresh cucumbers, fresh dill, whole peppercorns, and fresh garlic along with the brine are all that you need and people really do love them!
You can certainly add additional pickling spices but they aren’t necessary to still get great taste and texture.
Yes! I’ve had readers tell me they added fresh green beans, carrots, cauliflower, asparagus, etc. and they all worked out amazingly well.
I get asked this a lot. Pickling cucumbers are ideal because they are small and firm so they give that great pickle crunch.
You can pickle any kind of cucumber, but because of the moisture content in slicing (aka English) cucumbers, they will be more mushy but they will still taste great.
The closest substitute to traditional pickling cucumbers are Persian cucumbers and those are often carried at major grocery stores year round.
Yes! That’s why I recommend always using a clean utensil to get the pickles out. You don’t want to introduce any bacteria from dirty fingers. Use the brine over and over again.
Yes, you can use whole. They just might take a longer time to absorb all of the flavors from the brine. Slicing them just makes the pickling process go faster.
My Favorite Pickle Recipes
If you love pickles and pickled vegetables, you’ll want to try these:
If you tried this Dill Pickle recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
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Ingredients
- 12 pickling cucumbers quantity can vary depending on size
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 bunch fresh dill amount can vary depending on preference, thick stems removed
- 1 head garlic skins removed, cloves smashed (use fewer cloves if its a strong garlic)
- 1 tablespoon peppercorn kernals I usually use about 10 peppercorns per jar, give or take
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Thoroughly wash 12 pickling cucumbers. Slice cucumbers into 1/4-inch thick slices or spears. Set aside. Smash garlic cloves and separate dill from thick stems. Also, sanitize mason jars by running them through the dishwasher.
- Prepare brine: To make the brine, combine 4 cups water, 2 cups white vinegar, 2 tablespoons kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil and swirl the pan to ensure the sugar and salt dissolve. Remove the pan from heat and cool to room temperature.
- Make the pickles: Layer the prepared cucumbers with1 bunch fresh dill, smashed 1 head garlic, and 1 tablespoon peppercorn kernals in the jars. Do not pack them super tight as you you'll want room for the brine. Finish by adding enough brine to cover the cucumbers. Seal with an airtight lid and store in the refrigerator. The flavor is best if stored for at least one week, but they can be eaten at any time. Pickles should be good for at least 4-6 weeks after that.
- This recipe made enough for me to fill one pint and fill two quart jars.
Notes
- Quantities listed make about 3 quart-sized jars
- The amount of dill and garlic can vary depending on taste. I prefer to pack my jars with a ton of fresh dill which is why I don’t specify a specific quantity, but you can add as little or as much as you prefer.
- The intensity of the garlic will impact the intensity of the pickles. If your garlic is particularly strong, use less if you are sensitive to the taste.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post was originally created in 2015 and has been updated with updated photos and more helpful information, but this reader-favorite recipe has always remained the same.
Better than store bought dills. A big fan of this recipe.
What is the name of the slicer you used for cutting the cucumber?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Kristen, I don’t know the exact name but I know that I got it from Pampered Chef over a decade ago! -Krissy
got mine from PC too!
I made 2 batches today with cukes from the garden, and garlic from the garden. Dill wasn’t big enough yet.
thanks for the easy recipe.
Hope you like them! -Krissy
How much dill, garlic, and peppercorns to each jar?
Hi Robin, Its completely a matter of taste. I make it different each year and the amounts don’t change the flavor all that much. I like to pack them as full as I can with the garlic, dill, and peppercorns because I love the way it looks! – Krissy
Thanks.. I’ll just estimate then!! Grew my own cucumbers this year, they are taking over my garden. Pickles here they come!! 🙂
Robin, I’ll buy some, where do you live? I live in Clarksville, TN and can only find cucumbers.
world, I’m in Clarksville, tn too!
I tried this recipe and my pickles taste more like cucumbers. What did I do wrong. They have been in the refrigerator for at least a week.
Hi Gail, Is it possible you packed them too tight so that they’re not floating in the brine? The only other thing I can think of is that they are sliced too thick? I’ve never had that happen. Hmmm… -Krissy
Mine were if anything too strong. I’m going to cut back on the garlic and salt and increase the dill.
Can these pickles be frozen, if not what can I add to make them freezable?
I was out of town and my pickles are large?! Can I still use them for pickles?
I have never frozen pickles so I can’t help you there. I have found that they taste best when they are small and fresh. If they get too big, they become more seed and pulp rather than firm flesh that makes a nice crisp pickle. -Krissy
Can I use pickling salt (for canning) or does it have to be kosher salt?
Yep! -Krissy
I’ve heard that the weight is different with canning salt vs. Kosher (canning being heavier). Should I use less canning salt than what this recipe calls for then?
Hi Linnie, If that is true (and I don’t doubt that it is), then yes – I would use less. You can always taste the liquid to see if you think it needs more. Hope that helps! Krissy
Hello!
I was wondering, if after the 1 week refrigeration period, do I leave them in the refrigerator or can they go into the panty/storage?
Thank you kindly,
Lisa
These can only be refrigerated. You would have to can them in a water bath if you want to store them at room temperature. -Krissy
How long the hot water bath? Because my lids won’t seal Mary Ann
Mary Ann – these are refrigerator pickles. I don’t can them in a water bath so the lids won’t seal. -Krissy
Actually-to water bath pickles you need to have an approved canning recipe. This is a refrigerator Pickle recipe- not a “canning” recipe.
I MADE THE PICKLES LOVED THEM. THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAD I PUT TO MUCH GARLIC NEXT TIME NO GARLIC. I AM GOING TO MAKE ONE JAR WITH REGULAR PICKLES
Yes, too much garlic in mine as well, maybe only 1 kernel per qt
Krissy, is the sugar important..can I leave it out? – Thanks Sharon
Hi Sharon, I think the sugar is just a matter of taste and it will work fine if you omit. Thanks! Krissy
Does the peppercorn kernels make them spicy? I like a little kick to my pickles! 🙂
Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Emily, I think the peppercorns only give them flavor. I didn’t think they were spicy at all. A different reader suggested adding jalapeno if you want them more spicy. YUM! -Krissy
Can I use sea salt instead of kosher salt?
Yes. There is no difference between kosher salt and rough sea salt. If you have finely ground sea salt, you’ll need to use less. Hope that helps! Krissy
You can add red pepper flakes to make them spicy.. I use this recipe all the time.. they are very good
Great recommendation!
I used crushed red pepper flake..it works well
I make this recipe all the time, but I like spicy pickles so I add one chopped up Jalapeno, seeds and all and split it among the jars I’m doing. One pepper per every 3 jars or so.
What an awesome recommendation, David! I will definitely do this with my next batch! -Krissy
Terrific! I made 10 quarts 2 weeks ago!!! GONE! SO gotta make more!! Thanks so much!!
Making these again since they devoured the first batch. I added some dry mustard to a few jars also. They were terrific!
Krissy
This certainly sounds terrific and easy! Could you possibly provide a measured recipe if I want to make JUST 1(one) quart size jar? If that disappears,as I am sure it will,will venture into many more for Labor Day Bbq ! Thanks so much ,Lisa
Hi Lisa, I would just half the brine recipe and if you have any leftover, you can toss it or even add in a little olive oil to make a light salad dressing! -Krissy
I used your recipe to make pickles and they were so
Sour I had to throw them out. Way too much
Vinegar!
I’m sorry to hear that! As you can tell by the reviews, lots of people love the recipe, so it’s possible it was just a matter of taste/preference. Also, sour can often be fixed by adding salt… just for next time you try a recipe and it seems to acidic. Hopefully that won’t stop you from trying some other recipes on the site!
My family lives them they d9nt want store bought any longer i actually add a 1/2 cup more vinegar and add garlic and mustard seeds
I have cut this recipe in half. The pickles are soooo good. I put in a few hot pepper slices for heat. Love this recipe!
Can u double the brine recipe.