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!
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Want to hear the story behind recipe? Press play below and join me in the kitchen! I'm sharing a quick audio clip with the backstory of Grandma's Refrigerator Pickles, why I love them, and just how easy they are to make. It's like we're chatting at the kitchen counter!
Refrigerator Pickle Recipe
I have been enjoying these crispy pickles for years! Grandma made them every summer for my brother and I. She'd make in a gallon bucket and we'd beg for more! It's great use of your bumper-crop of cucumbers and makes the great crispy pickles.
They are so simple and good!
Ingredients
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)
Easy Refrigerator Pickles Recipe
Equipment
- 2 quart mason jars
Ingredients
- 2-3 cucumbers
- 1 cup cider vinegar
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon celery salt optional
Instructions
- Wash jars in hot soapy water. You'll want to start with clean jars - you can use pint-sized jars, or quart jars. They need to be clean.
- 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 hot 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
Storage
Store pickles in airtight containers, refrigerated up to three months.Love this recipe? Join the free membership group!
Nutrition
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions for this easy recipe. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Place the vinegar, water, salt
and sugar in a small saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat. - Stir until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Slice the cucumbers and pack them into mason jars.
- Add the brine. Cover, cool 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!
🙋♀️ FAQ's
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.
Yes they should be refrigerated.
You bet! You can use apple cider vinegar or even rice wine vinegar.
Two to three days. Grandma would leave them for a week, but they never seem to last that long in our home!
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.
Dill pickles have sprigs of fresh dill, garlic cloves and spices.
Top Tip
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 with the peel.
- If you prefer a crisp pickle, slice the cucumbers a little wider, say ⅜ inch.
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, sliced carrots 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.
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!
💭 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!
These are the BEST! I hope you agree! Please leave a comment below so I get to hear what you think!
Julie Evink says
My kids and I are obsessed with these refrigerator pickles! We are always fighting for the last one. I can't make them fast enough!
Bowl Me Over says
This is such an easy recipe, glad you're enjoying it Julie!
Marci H says
Hi, can you add how many canning jars and what size to the recipe?
Bowl Me Over says
I used two 16 ounce canning jars. Great catch, thanks Marci!
Melanie C says
I eat a lot of pickles too. I think it helps keep the acidity at bay - but they also taste great which is a two-fer right? Your recipe for refrigerator pickles is perfect (mostly because of how easy it is) - but your seasonings etc are perfect too. Thanks for sharing.
Bowl Me Over says
You're so welcome Melanie! I'm glad you're enjoying the recipe!!
Becky Mansfield says
My friend made these refrigerator pickles, so I had to come and grab the recipe for myself. They were delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Bowl Me Over says
You're so welcome Becky, I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Cindy says
These pickles look and taste so much better than store-bought pickles!!!
Bowl Me Over says
You'll be making them all year long!
Rita Joy says
I tried this refrigerator pickles recipe and it was out of this world delicious! 5 stars for sure! Easy to make - delicious to eat. Thank you!
MARYE A. says
I am so glad to have found these refrigerator pickles! I don't have time to can much anymore and I've missed homemade pickles! These are so easy and yummy!
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful! Glad you are enjoying the sweet refrigerator pickle recipe. It's the no-canning involved. Makes it the perfect easy recipe!
Alyssa says
My oldest loves pickles. I can't wait to teach him how to make these refrigerator pickles.
Bowl Me Over says
I hope you both enjoy the recipe Alyssa!
One Crazy House says
Question... how do you actually STOP eating these yummy refrigerator pickles??? Asking for a friend😉.
Bowl Me Over says
Yup, these sweet pickles are THAT good! 😂