Crispy Homemade Cucumber Pickles
Crispy Homemade Cucumber Pickles
Easy Homemade Cucumber Pickles: The Secret to Delicious Pickling Brine!
Love pickles? This recipe is for you! While we often make radish or cabbage pickles at home, this time we’re making delicious cucumber pickles. I’ll share the perfect ratio for a clean and flavorful pickling brine that will become a staple in your kitchen. Enjoy the crisp texture and refreshing sweet and sour taste!
Main Ingredients- 2 fresh cucumbers
Sweet & Sour Pickling Brine- 400ml water (about 1 ¾ cups)
- 200ml granulated sugar (about 1 cup)
- 200ml white vinegar or apple cider vinegar (about 1 cup)
- 1 tsp pickling spice
- ½ tsp salt
- 400ml water (about 1 ¾ cups)
- 200ml granulated sugar (about 1 cup)
- 200ml white vinegar or apple cider vinegar (about 1 cup)
- 1 tsp pickling spice
- ½ tsp salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare 2 fresh cucumbers. Rub the cucumbers with salt to thoroughly clean them, then rinse under running water. Pat them completely dry with paper towels. Slice them into uniform rounds about 1cm (½ inch) thick. Slicing them evenly ensures the brine penetrates properly for delicious pickles.
Step 2
Get a clean, sterilized 1-liter glass jar. Tightly pack the sliced cucumbers into the jar, filling it without leaving too much empty space. Packing them snugly helps maintain their crispness and prevents them from becoming mushy.
Step 3
Prepare a saucepan for the pickling brine. Add 400ml water, 200ml granulated sugar, 1 tsp pickling spice, and ½ tsp salt to the pot. (We’ll add the vinegar later.)
Step 4
Stir the ingredients in the saucepan until the sugar is completely dissolved. Then, place the pot over medium heat and bring it to a boil. Make sure the sugar is fully dissolved before boiling to prevent it from settling at the bottom.
Step 5
Once the brine mixture is boiling vigorously, pour in the 200ml of vinegar and immediately turn off the heat. Boiling the vinegar for too long can diminish its sharp flavor, so adding it at the boiling point and turning off the heat helps maintain a balanced taste.
Step 6
Let the hot pickling brine cool slightly, just until the vigorous steam subsides. Pour the slightly cooled brine over the cucumbers in the jar, ensuring the cucumbers are completely submerged. This even submersion is key for consistent pickling and a delightful crunch.
Step 7
Allow the jar of pickles to cool completely at room temperature. Once at room temperature, cover the jar tightly and refrigerate for at least overnight, or preferably 24 hours, to allow the flavors to meld and the cucumbers to pickle. Your delicious, crispy homemade cucumber pickles will be ready to enjoy! They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
