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Easy Quick Garlic Dill Refrigerator Pickles

garlic dill refrigerator pickles - featured image

A quick and easy recipe for crunchy, garlicky dill refrigerator pickles that are ready in 24 hours and perfect for summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 45 medium Kirby cucumbers (about 4 cups), sliced into spears or rounds
  • 46 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed or thinly sliced
  • 34 sprigs fresh dill (including stems if desired)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) white vinegar
  • 1 cup (240 ml) water
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt (without iodine)
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash 4-5 Kirby cucumbers thoroughly and slice into spears about 3-4 inches long or into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
  2. Peel 4-6 garlic cloves and smash them lightly with the flat side of a knife or thinly slice.
  3. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon granulated sugar. Warm over medium heat, stirring until salt and sugar dissolve completely (about 3-5 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  4. Place cucumber slices or spears into two quart-sized glass jars, layering in smashed garlic, 3-4 sprigs fresh dill, 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns, and optional red pepper flakes. Pack snugly but do not crush cucumbers.
  5. Pour the warm brine over the cucumbers until fully submerged, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top. Tap jars gently to release air bubbles.
  6. Seal jars tightly with lids and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before tasting. Flavor improves if left 48 hours or more.

Notes

Use fresh, firm Kirby cucumbers for best crunch. Pat cucumbers dry before packing to avoid sogginess. Keep cucumbers fully submerged in brine to prevent spoilage. Refrigerate promptly as this recipe is not shelf-stable. Adjust garlic quantity to taste. For low sodium, reduce salt to 1/2 tablespoon and extend marinating time to 48 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic dill pickles, refrigerator pickles, quick pickles, homemade pickles, crunchy pickles, easy pickles, summer pickles