Crisp & Delicious Homemade Pickles
Easy Pickle Recipe for Beginners
Tired of failed pickle-making attempts? Say goodbye to wasted ingredients and hello to perfectly balanced, homemade pickles that you can make without any fuss! This recipe simplifies the process, offering a foolproof method to create delicious pickles that are free from any waste. Let’s get started with this easy and reliable pickle recipe!
Main Ingredients
- 1 Cucumber
- 1/4 Daikon Radish
- 1/4 Red Cabbage
Golden Ratio Brine
- 2 Tbsp Pickling Spices
- 2 cups (400ml) Water
- 1 cup (200g) Sugar
- 1 cup (200ml) Vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Pickling Spices
- 2 cups (400ml) Water
- 1 cup (200g) Sugar
- 1 cup (200ml) Vinegar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s thoroughly sterilize the glass jars you’ll use for storing the pickles. Place the jars upside down in a pot of cold water, then turn on the heat. Once the water boils, continue boiling for about 5 more minutes for effective sterilization.
Step 2
Rinse the cucumbers well, then sprinkle them with coarse salt and scrub the skin. This helps to clean the exterior of the cucumbers effectively. Use a knife to carefully scoop out and discard the soft inner seeds for a cleaner pickle.
Step 3
Prepare any other vegetables you’d like to add to your pickles. Rinse the red cabbage and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Wash the daikon radish as well. Using a variety of vegetables will make your pickles even more vibrant and delicious.
Step 4
Once the jars are sterilized, stand them upright. The residual heat will quickly evaporate any remaining moisture. Tightly pack the prepared cucumber, radish, red cabbage, and other vegetables into the sterilized jars. Filling them snugly allows you to fit more pickles!
Step 5
The secret to great pickles is the brine! While many recipes suggest a 1:1:1 ratio of water, sugar, and vinegar, I’ve found a more balanced and delicious golden ratio. Start by combining 2 cups of water with 1 cup of sugar in a saucepan. Heat and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. This ratio is 2:1:1 for water:sugar:vinegar.
Step 6
Add 2 tablespoons of pickling spices, easily found at most grocery stores, to the saucepan. These spices are essential for imparting that signature pickle flavor and aroma.
Step 7
Once the sugar has dissolved and the brine mixture begins to boil, stir in 1 cup of vinegar and immediately turn off the heat. Adding the vinegar just before turning off the heat helps to preserve its bright, tangy flavor. Pour this hot brine directly over the packed vegetables in the jars to complete your pickles! For the best flavor, let them chill in the refrigerator for at least a day before enjoying.
