Homemade Bread and Butter Pickles
This recipe guides you through making classic homemade bread and butter pickles. Freshly sliced cucumbers are combined with horseradish and dill in sterilized jars, then submerged in a sweet, tangy, and aromatic brine. The pickles are then sealed and chilled overnight to allow the flavors to meld, resulting in a crisp, vibrant condiment perfect for sandwiches or as a flavorful side.
Equipment
- 1 Large Stockpot For preparing the pickling brine
- 1 Chef's knife For precise slicing of cucumbers and horseradish
- 1 Cutting Board A stable surface for slicing ingredients
- 1 Measuring Cups and Spoons For accurate ingredient ratios
- 1 Mason Jars Sterilized, heat-proof jars for pickling and storage
Ingredients
Main
- 5 pickling cucumbers about 4 inches long
- 4 slices fresh horseradish peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 4 sprigs fresh dill weed
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 cups water
- 4 cloves garlic peeled
- 2 tablespoons pickling spice
- 2 teaspoons turmeric
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Wash cucumbers, slice into 1/4-inch thick rounds, and place in a heated, sterilized mason jar with horseradish and fresh dill weed.
- Set a large pot over medium heat and add vinegar, sugar, water, garlic and pickling spices. Bring the brine to a boil then pour over cucumbers and horseradish in still-hot mason jar and seal lid. Allow to cool to room temperature before refrigerating. You can serve once chilled, but for best flavor serve after the pickles have been left overnight.
Notes
Ensure your mason jars are properly sterilized and kept hot before filling; this is crucial for food safety and a longer shelf life. For the best texture, choose firm, fresh pickling cucumbers without blemishes. Slicing them uniformly at 1/4-inch thickness will ensure even pickling and a consistent bite. While the recipe allows serving once chilled, allowing the pickles to sit overnight, or even a few days, will significantly deepen the flavor profile as the brine fully penetrates the cucumbers. Consider adding a few thinly sliced white onion rings or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the brine for an extra layer of complexity and subtle heat, if desired. Avoid over-boiling the brine once ingredients are added to preserve the vibrancy of the spices.