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Home » Recipes » Vegetarian and Vegan

Amish Refrigerator Pickles

Published: Apr 16, 2023 by Bowl Me Over · 23 Comments

Jump to Recipe

Homemade refrigerator pickles recipe - crunchy and sweet, these are easy to make! They are the perfect topping for a burger AND a great snack! There's no canning required for this easy sweet pickle recipe!

Jar of pickles on cutting board.
Amish refrigerator pickles recipe
Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe   
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions 
  • YouTube video
  • Equipment
  • 🙋‍♀️ FAQ's
  • Tips
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • Serving suggestions
  • Related recipes
  • Video
  • Easy Refrigerator Pickles Recipe
  • 💭 Recipe backstory

Why you'll love this recipe   

This is a great use of your bumper-crop of cucumbers and makes the BEST pickles. They are so simple and good!

✔️ crisp pickles.

✔️ easy to make.

✔️ no canning required!

Ingredients

Ingredients to make recipe, with print overlay.

For the exact measurements for the homemade refrigerator pickles, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

  • cucumbers - you can use regular cucumbers from the grocery store, English cucumbers, kirby cucumbers or pickling cucumbers.
  • cider vinegar or white vinegar
  • white sugar
  • kosher salt
  • celery salt (optional)

Instructions 

Collage of step by step instructions to make recipe, with print overlay.

This is an overview of the instructions for this easy recipe. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!

  1. Start by making the simple brine. Place the vinegar, water, salt and sugar in a small saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat.
  2. Stir until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved.
  3. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. Slice the cucumbers in ¼ inch slices
  5. Pack the cucumber slices into mason jars.
  6. Pour the vinegar mix over the cucumbers and cover tightly. Cool to room temperature and refrigerate.

See how easy these tangy pickles are to make? We eat a TON of them every summer. Any unused cucumbers get sliced up and into the brine they go!

YouTube video

Click on the image to watch me make this recipe from start to finish with extra tips! (Video opens in a new tab).

Coversheet graphic of refrigerator pickle photo with print overlay for YouTube.

Please like & subscribe to the channel so you'll be the first in the know! Click to watch the full video on YouTube.

Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

  • A mason jar - quart jars are great for storage.
  • A sharp knife is necessary as well, to slice the fresh cucumbers.
Sliced cucumbers surrounding a jar of pickles.
Grab your fork and dive right in - you'll love these crisp pickles!

🙋‍♀️ FAQ's

How long does the homemade refrigerator pickle recipe last?

The pickles are ready to eat in a few days, but they last for three months in the fridge. The longer they are refrigerated the less crunchy they become.

Do sweet pickles need to be refrigerated after opening?

Yes they should be refrigerated.

Can you use apple cider vinegar to make pickles?

You bet! This recipe uses Though you can also use distilled white vinegar for a tangy bite! Even rice wine vinegar.

How long before you can eat the pickles?

Three to four days. I think Grandma would leave them for a week, but they never seem to last that long in our home!

Do pickles go bad in the refrigerator?

Unopened pickles will not go bad in the refrigerator because of the fermentation process from the brine. Though pickles have a use by date, even after that date they will not go bad. Of course if it develops any mold, discard the entire jar.

What is the difference between butter pickles and homemade dill pickles?

Dill pickles are spiced with sprigs of fresh dill, garlic cloves and spices.

Tips

  • It is not necessary to peel the cucumbers before slicing - keep it on or remove it, your personal preference. Just be sure to wash the cukes well first. I prefer the texture of the peel after it's pickled.
  • If you prefer a crisp pickle, slice the cucumbers a little wider, say ⅜ inch.
  • Save the pickle juice, you can reuse the brine!
  • There's no need for a water bath - no canning is required!

Variations

  • Adding a teaspoon of red pepper flakes will spice up the brine.
  • You can also make pickle spears by slicing the cucumbers lengthwise.
  • Add red onions or sliced green pepper to the mason jars along with the pickles - they are delicious!
  • celery seed or mustard seed adds a whole new flavor.
Overhead shot looking into a jar of pickles.

Storage

Refrigerate - store pickles in airtight containers, refrigerated up to two months.

Serving suggestions

  • Finely mince the pickles and add in potato salad. You'll love the tang!
  • Top off your favorite sandwich with sweet cucumber pickles. They are wonderful with slow cooker pulled pork sandwich recipe - the sweet pickle gives the rich meat just the right touch!
  • Making Frozen Burgers in the Oven? Or Air Fryer Burgers - be sure to top them with refrigerator pickles!

Related recipes

  • Smashburger Sauce Recipe - this stuff is the BEST and tops every burger!
  • Tomato Relish Recipe - another family recipe, this is one of my favorites!
  • Sweet Hot Pickled Radishes - spicy and delicious these are tasty!
  • Easy Refrigerator Dill Pickle Recipe - all the crunch and better than store-bought.
  • Easy Pickled Beets Recipe - super simple to make and ready in minutes!
  • Sweet Hot Peppers - love these over a burger - yum!

Video

Click on the image to watch the video short for this recipe.

Click on the link below to watch the full homemade pickles YouTube video from start to finish, with additional tips! Amish Refrigerator Pickles Recipe.

Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️

If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! 

Pickles in jar with fork dishing one out.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
4.95 from 18 votes

Easy Refrigerator Pickles Recipe

Refrigerator Pickles - no canning required! Guaranteed to satisfy your pickle craving, these sweet, crunchy pickles are the perfect way to use the end of the season abundance of cucumbers!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time5 minutes mins
Total Time15 minutes mins
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: American
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 89kcal
Author: Deb Clark
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

  • 2-3 cucumbers
  • 1 cup cider vinegar
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon celery salt optional

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • In a saucepan over medium heat combine the vinegar, water, salt and sugar.
  • Stir until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved. 
  • Remove from heat and stir in the celery salt (if using), set aside.
  • Slice cucumbers in ¼ inch slices
  • Pack the sliced cucumbers into canning jars.
  • Pour the pickling brine into the mason jars and cover tightly. 
  • Place the jars of pickles in the refrigerator and allow them to marinade over night. Eat and enjoy!

Notes

** For variations, use rice wine vinegar & black sesame seeds or poppy seeds. You can also add red onion, carrots or jalapeños.  Great use of cucumbers in summer as these will keep for several months in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 89kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Sodium: 2096mg | Potassium: 99mg | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 1.9mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.2mg
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💭 Recipe backstory

I'm embarrassed to admit I have a love affair with pickles.

I know... I'm weird right? But pickles are my thing! I think it's the tangy, sweet combo and that little bite you get when you crunch into something with a vinegary kick!

I eat a jar of pickles weekly. Seriously.... I have a problem! 😋

Dan says it's because of all the running I do and my body craves the salty brine? Maybe so.

Maybe it's because pickles have been something I've enjoyed since I was a kid. My Grandma used to make these for my brother and I every summer. She'd make them in a huge plastic gallon bucket and it would be filled to the brim.

Every meal Don and I would grab a huge helping of pickles!

Every meal Grandma would tell us to leave some for others, she'd scold us but then she would smile and say it's so good to see we are enjoying them!

This post has been updated from March 2015 on July 21, 2021.

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About Bowl Me Over

Welcome to Bowl Me Over! My name is Debra and I send warm greetings from sunny California. I am a serious foodie – I’ve been known as the go-to girl in our family for years, catering weddings and anniversary parties. In the summer I help cook mountains of food for our family reunions. Often times things I create end up in a bowl, hence the name Bowl Me Over! Let's stay connected, you can email me at [email protected] and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rhonda

    July 17, 2022 at 10:57 am

    Can you make this recipe and just leave out the sugar? Making it keto and diabetic friendly.

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      July 17, 2022 at 11:06 am

      I've never tried it, having said that, perhaps with a sugar substitute, it would all depend on whether or not it would dissolve. It's definitely worth a try. You need the sweetness to balance the vinegar, though when I was a kid my mom would make cucumbers in just vinegar and water. They were tangy and good. Definitely give it a try Rhonda!

      Reply
  2. John

    June 04, 2022 at 11:31 am

    4 stars
    Sorry, a bit late to the pickle party. We make a similar, refrigerator and also hot can quite a few.quarts every summer. Also ferment our own year round for the health benefits. We always salt and ice our sliced cukes over night. This pulls a lot of water out of the pickle and we then rinse under cold water to remove much of the salt. It gives u a truly crispy crunchy pickle that you will never obtain without. It's an added step and adds additional time to the process but is well worth it

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 04, 2022 at 5:28 pm

      What a great tip John - thank you for that!

      Reply
  3. Liza

    April 30, 2018 at 11:50 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely needed this recipe! My kids love pickles, I love pickles! And they never have the right ones in the store! I HAVE to make these! Thanks!!

    Reply
  4. Madi

    April 30, 2018 at 10:24 am

    5 stars
    Homemade pickles are the best! I love how easy this recipe is to make!

    Reply
  5. [email protected]'s Dinnertime Dish

    April 30, 2018 at 7:05 am

    5 stars
    Homemade pickles are so delicious and these sound SO easy to make!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      May 01, 2018 at 6:06 am

      Super easy and so good Lisa, I hope you give them a try!

      Reply
  6. Dan from Platter Talk

    April 29, 2018 at 6:40 pm

    5 stars
    We love pickles but never make them and yet this ecipe looks so simple! Bookmarking it for cucumber season!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      April 29, 2018 at 7:32 pm

      Then you should definitely give this recipe a try! YOu'll love these sweet tasty pickles and they are so easy too! Thank you for stopping by!

      Reply
  7. Ashlyn

    April 29, 2018 at 2:37 pm

    5 stars
    Oh man I love homemade pickles! Nothing better when you just need a little snack. Totally making these!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      April 29, 2018 at 7:34 pm

      Yes, the perfect easy snack, enjoy!

      Reply
  8. Angela

    April 29, 2018 at 6:35 am

    5 stars
    There is nothing like a homemade pickle! I could munch on these all day!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      April 29, 2018 at 7:37 pm

      They are such a tasty and guilt free snack, I hope you love them as much as we do!

      Reply
  9. Healing Tomato

    July 24, 2016 at 7:00 pm

    5 stars
    I spend quite a bit of money on pickles each month. There are recipes I have tried to make at home but they turn out to be a soggy mess. I think your variation of using water and vinegar makes a huge difference. I am definitely experimenting with it over the weekend.

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      July 25, 2016 at 9:01 pm

      Wonderful, I really love these little pickles, easy & yummy. And as for pickles....though I spent my summers working in the pickle packing plant (say that 3 times fast!) I still love pickles and eat a jar of dills every week, I'm addicted! 😀

      Reply
  10. christine

    July 24, 2016 at 6:14 pm

    I don't eat store bought pickles, but these, I would eat. My cukes are just starting to grow and I think I'll be picking some by the end of next week. I'll def. give this a try. Thanks! Oh and what a great thing it is that you all still get together like that!

    Reply
  11. linda spiker

    July 22, 2016 at 6:57 am

    5 stars
    Such a great idea! And so easy!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      July 27, 2016 at 11:35 am

      Easy & delish, that's how I roll! 😀

      Reply
  12. Sandra Shaffer

    July 21, 2016 at 9:52 pm

    I'm going to give this a try! I really had no idea how simple it is to make refrigerator pickles. I bet these taste way better than store bought too! Happy Birthday to your grandmother!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      July 27, 2016 at 11:36 am

      Enjoy Sandra - love these little pickles, so yummy!

      Reply
  13. Sherry Welter

    June 29, 2016 at 9:34 pm

    I enjoy your recipes Deb!

    Reply
    • Bowl Me Over

      June 30, 2016 at 5:58 pm

      Thanks Sherry!!! It's great to recreate family memories and food is such a great way to share!!

      Reply

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