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!
Holly says
I am obsessed with refigerator pickles and this is a super easy way to make them! THANKS!!!
Bowl Me Over says
You're so welcome! These sweet pickles are great on sandwiches and make the best snacks. Enjoy!
judy Biggs says
How long will the pickles keep in refrigerator.
Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Debra Clark says
You can keep the pickles in the refrigerator up to three months. My Grandma kept them as long as six month. Seriously, they last a long time. The thinner the pickles are sliced the softer they become over time. If you prefer super crunchy pickles, slice them a little thicker, say 3/8 inch thick. Enjoy the pickles Judy!
Bruce says
I accidentally used celery seed. We'll see how they turn out
Debra Clark says
Celery seed is good, I think you'll be fine Bruce, enjoy the pickles!
Donna says
The recipe calls for celery salt. Your video says celery seed. Which one am I supposed to use.
Debra Clark says
I've used both. And I've made refrigerator pickles without any. Totally your choice Donna. The celery salt is a stronger flavor than the seed, which is more earthy in flavor. Enjoy the recipe Donna!
Brandi says
The way my kids go through pickles, these refrigerator pickles are going to be a huge money-saver! How many batches are too many to make in one week? Ha! =)
Camden Rusincovitch says
These refrigerator pickles are going to be well-stocked in our kitchen this summer. I can't wait to put these on all my sandwiches!
sharon says
We just made these refrigerator pickles and they were a hit! Loved the crunch and the perfect tang!
Bowl Me Over says
I love this easy pickle recipe! Glad it was a hit!!
Brittany says
My husband always makes refrigerator pickles. He often adds onion and other veggies to the mix as well.. he loves everything pickled!
Bowl Me Over says
Ooh, those additions sound terrific. I'll have to give that a try!!
Cynthia Rusincovitch says
Refrigerator pickles are a great idea for all the cucumbers coming in from our garden. We are currently drowning in cucumbers and have given away so many our neighbors are going to run when they see us coming. Pickles seem like a nice alternative.
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful! This recipe is so easy and makes the very best sweet pickles!
Kristen Yard says
How does one stop eating these amazing refrigerator pickles? Asking for a friend...because she can't stop 🤣.
Okay--it's me. I'm the friend with the pickle snacking problem!
Bowl Me Over says
Great question! If you think of an answer let me know because I seem to have the same addiction! 😂😂😂
Rhonda says
Can you make this recipe and just leave out the sugar? Making it keto and diabetic friendly.
Bowl Me Over says
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!
Pam says
Hello, I have used a similar recipe to this many time in years past. Now I am diabetic and want to simplicity of this recipe but using an alternative sweetener. Is one better than another for boiling? Thank you.
Bowl Me Over says
Hey Pam, I haven't used an artificial sweeter for this recipe. I would use your favorite and you'll know if it dissolves during boiling. Unfortunately I really can't advise in this instance. Good luck!
John says
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
Bowl Me Over says
What a great tip John - thank you for that!
Maryjo says
I made these this week and they are just what I was looking for. My taste is for a little less salt. I added some whole garlic cloves and onion strips. Really yummy!!!
Thomas says
I just came across this recipe and was wondering how much salt is used to brine the cukes overnight. Is it a ratio of how many cukes to salt? I'm looking for a simple recipe for pickles and like them to stay crisp.
Bowl Me Over says
I don't brine the cucumbers overnight Thomas. I suggest following the recipe as written. If you like crispy pickles, slice them about 1/4 inch thick. Enjoy!
Liza says
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!!
Madi says
Homemade pickles are the best! I love how easy this recipe is to make!
Lisa@Lisa's Dinnertime Dish says
Homemade pickles are so delicious and these sound SO easy to make!
Bowl Me Over says
Super easy and so good Lisa, I hope you give them a try!
Dan from Platter Talk says
We love pickles but never make them and yet this ecipe looks so simple! Bookmarking it for cucumber season!
Bowl Me Over says
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!
Ashlyn says
Oh man I love homemade pickles! Nothing better when you just need a little snack. Totally making these!
Bowl Me Over says
Yes, the perfect easy snack, enjoy!
Angela says
There is nothing like a homemade pickle! I could munch on these all day!
Bowl Me Over says
They are such a tasty and guilt free snack, I hope you love them as much as we do!
Healing Tomato says
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.
Bowl Me Over says
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! 😀
christine says
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!
linda spiker says
Such a great idea! And so easy!
Bowl Me Over says
Easy & delish, that's how I roll! 😀
Sandra Shaffer says
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!
Bowl Me Over says
Enjoy Sandra - love these little pickles, so yummy!
Sherry Welter says
I enjoy your recipes Deb!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Sherry!!! It's great to recreate family memories and food is such a great way to share!!