Sweet refrigerator pickles are a delightful way to preserve the crispness of cucumbers while infusing them with a tangy and sweet flavor. This easy-to-make recipe requires no canning and can be enjoyed as a refreshing snack or a zesty addition to sandwiches and salads.
While most of the ingredients for this recipe are common pantry staples, you might need to pick up mustard seeds and celery seeds if you don't already have them at home. These spices add a unique flavor to the pickles and can usually be found in the spice aisle of your local supermarket.
Ingredients for Sweet Refrigerator Pickles Recipe
Cucumbers: The main ingredient, providing a crisp texture and fresh taste.
Onion: Adds a mild, sweet flavor that complements the cucumbers.
White vinegar: The acidic component that helps preserve the pickles and adds tanginess.
Sugar: Balances the acidity of the vinegar with sweetness.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and helps with preservation.
Mustard seeds: Adds a subtle, tangy flavor and a bit of texture.
Celery seeds: Provides a slightly bitter, earthy flavor that enhances the pickles.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When slicing the cucumbers and onions, aim for uniform thickness to ensure even pickling. Using a mandoline slicer can help achieve consistent slices, which will result in a better texture and flavor distribution throughout the pickles.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
cucumbers - Substitute with zucchini: Zucchini has a similar texture and can absorb the pickling brine well.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, slightly sweeter flavor compared to onions.
white vinegar - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar adds a fruity tang and complexity to the pickles.
sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey offers a natural sweetness and a different depth of flavor.
salt - Substitute with kosher salt: Kosher salt has larger grains and a purer taste, making it a good alternative for pickling.
mustard seeds - Substitute with coriander seeds: Coriander seeds provide a citrusy and slightly sweet flavor that complements pickles.
celery seeds - Substitute with dill seeds: Dill seeds offer a similar earthy and slightly bitter flavor, enhancing the pickling brine.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This
How to Store or Freeze Your Pickles
- Ensure your jars are clean and dry before transferring the pickles. Sterilizing them in boiling water for a few minutes can help prevent any unwanted bacteria.
- Once the pickles are in the jars, make sure they are completely submerged in the vinegar mixture. This helps in preserving their crispness and flavor.
- Seal the jars tightly with lids. This prevents any air from entering and keeps the pickles fresh.
- Store the jars in the refrigerator. The cool temperature slows down the fermentation process, ensuring your pickles stay crunchy and flavorful.
- For best results, consume the pickles within 1-2 months. Over time, they may lose their crispness but will still be safe to eat.
- If you wish to freeze the pickles, transfer them to freezer-safe containers or bags. Leave some space at the top as liquids expand when frozen.
- Label the containers with the date of preparation. This helps you keep track of their freshness.
- When ready to use, thaw the pickles in the refrigerator. Avoid thawing at room temperature to maintain their texture and flavor.
- Note that freezing may slightly alter the texture of the pickles, making them less crunchy but still delicious.
How to Reheat Leftovers
If you prefer your sweet refrigerator pickles warm, you can gently heat them in a saucepan over low heat. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. Be cautious not to overheat, as this can cause the cucumbers to become too soft.
For a quick and easy method, place the pickles in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape. Heat on medium power for 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until they reach your desired temperature.
If you want to retain the crunchiness of the cucumbers, consider placing the pickles in a heatproof bowl and pouring hot water over them. Let them sit for a minute or two, then drain the water. This method warms the pickles without making them too soft.
For a unique twist, you can lightly sauté the pickles in a skillet with a bit of olive oil or butter. Heat over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. This adds a slight caramelization to the sugar in the pickles, enhancing their sweetness.
If you have a sous-vide machine, place the pickles in a vacuum-sealed bag and heat them in a water bath set to 140°F (60°C) for about 15-20 minutes. This method ensures even heating while maintaining the pickles' texture and flavor.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large bowl: used to combine the cucumbers and onions together.
Separate bowl: used to mix the vinegar, sugar, salt, mustard seeds, and celery seeds until they are dissolved.
Measuring cups: used to measure out the cucumbers, onions, vinegar, and sugar accurately.
Measuring spoons: used to measure out the salt, mustard seeds, and celery seeds precisely.
Knife: used to slice the cucumbers and onions thinly.
Cutting board: provides a safe surface for slicing the cucumbers and onions.
Stirring spoon: used to mix the vinegar mixture and the cucumber mixture thoroughly.
Jars with lids: used to store the pickles in the refrigerator, ensuring they are covered and can marinate properly.
Refrigerator: used to chill the pickles for at least 24 hours before serving, allowing the flavors to meld together.
How to Save Time on Making Pickles
Pre-slice vegetables: Slice the cucumbers and onions in advance and store them in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Use a mandoline: A mandoline slicer can quickly and uniformly slice cucumbers and onions, saving you time and effort.
Batch mix the brine: Prepare a large batch of the vinegar mixture and store it in the refrigerator for future use.
Quick dissolve: Use warm vinegar to help dissolve the sugar and salt faster, then let it cool before pouring over the vegetables.
Label jars: Label your jars with the date to keep track of when they will be ready to eat.
Sweet Refrigerator Pickles Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups cucumbers, sliced
- 1 cup onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon celery seeds
Instructions
- 1. In a large bowl, combine cucumbers and onions.
- 2. In a separate bowl, mix vinegar, sugar, salt, mustard seeds, and celery seeds until sugar and salt are dissolved.
- 3. Pour the vinegar mixture over the cucumber mixture and stir well.
- 4. Transfer to jars, cover, and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Ice Cream Bread Recipe45 Minutes
- Self-Rising Flour Recipe5 Minutes
- Knoephla Soup Recipe1 Hours
- Garden Fresh Tomato Soup Recipe45 Minutes
- Potato Leek Soup Recipe45 Minutes
- Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup Recipe1 Minutes
- Corn Chowder Recipe45 Minutes
- Baked Potato Soup Recipe1 Hours
Leave a Reply