Joy Of Cooking’s Crisp & Tangy Pickle Recipe for Beginners

Pickle making turns humble cucumbers into culinary magic with surprising ease and creativity.

These zesty preserves pack a flavor punch that transforms ordinary meals into extraordinary experiences.

Salt, vinegar, and spices dance together, creating a tangy symphony in every crunchy bite.

Fermentation works its subtle alchemy, turning simple ingredients into complex flavor treasures.

Homemade pickles carry the essence of seasonal freshness, bottled with personal care and traditional wisdom.

Each jar tells a story of patience and craftsmanship, inviting you to savor a generations-old preservation technique.

Unleash a world of vibrant, mouth-watering goodness that will revolutionize your culinary repertoire.

Tips for Flavor, Brine, and Crispness

Experiment with different vinegar types to discover unique flavor profiles that match your taste preferences.

Add whole peppercorns, dill sprigs, or red pepper flakes to the pickling liquid for an extra kick of heat and complexity.

These refrigerator pickles will stay crisp and delicious for up to two weeks when stored properly in an airtight container.

For super-crunchy pickles, soak cucumber slices in ice water for 30 minutes before pickling to help maintain their firm texture.

How to Serve These Pickled Beauties

• Serve as Crisp Appetizer: Arrange cucumber pickles on a small plate with toothpicks for easy party snacking.
• Create Sandwich Enhancer: Layer these tangy pickles into your favorite deli sandwiches or burgers for added zesty crunch.
• Elevate Salad Topping: Chop pickled cucumbers and sprinkle over green salads or grain bowls for a bright, acidic kick.
• Craft Charcuterie Companion: Include these homemade pickles alongside cheeses, crackers, and cured meats for a sophisticated appetizer spread.

Storage for Long-Lasting Crunch

• Preserve Peak Freshness: Store pickled cucumbers in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for maximum crunch and flavor retention.
• Quick Consumption Guide: Enjoy these homemade pickles within 7-10 days for optimal taste and texture, noting that their crisp quality gradually softens over time.
• Smart Preparation Planning: Batch-prepare multiple jars during peak cucumber season, creating a convenient grab-and-go snack that requires minimal daily effort.
• Temperature-Perfect Storage: Keep refrigerated between 35-40°F to maintain pickle quality, preventing bacterial growth and preserving delicate vinegar-infused flavors.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 20 kcal

Servings: 1

Homemade Pickle Ingredient Rundown

• Cucumber: Select firm, fresh cucumbers with vibrant green skin and no soft spots, preferably seedless for smoother texture.

• Apple Cider Vinegar, Distilled White Vinegar, Unseasoned Rice Vinegar: Choose based on desired flavor profile, with apple cider offering subtle sweetness and white vinegar providing classic tang.
• Water: Use filtered or spring water for cleanest taste.

• Cane Sugar: Select light, golden granules for balanced sweetness that complements tangy vinegar.
• Kosher Salt: Pick coarse, flaky salt that dissolves easily and enhances overall pickle flavor.
• Mustard Seeds: Optional aromatic addition that brings gentle, warm undertones to pickles.

Tools for the Pickling Process

• Mason jar: Perfect glass container for storing and pickling cucumbers.
• Saucepan: Essential for heating and dissolving pickling liquid ingredients.
• Cutting board: Clean surface for slicing cucumber with precision.
• Sharp knife: Required for creating thin, uniform cucumber rounds or spears.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately measure vinegar, water, sugar, and salt.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring pickling mixture while heating.
• Tongs or spoon: Useful for transferring cucumbers into jar safely.
• Lid for jar: Necessary for sealing and storing pickles in refrigerator.

Making Classic Pickles at Home

• Slice Cucumber

Select a crisp cucumber and cut into delicate rounds or slender spears, matching your preferred pickle style and texture.

• Craft Flavor Base

Combine vinegar varieties like apple cider, white, or rice vinegar with water, creating a tangy liquid foundation. Dissolve sugar and salt while adding optional mustard seeds for extra zest.

• Heat and Infuse

Bring the liquid mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar and salt completely melt. The bubbling liquid will release aromatic flavors and create a perfect pickling environment.

• Jar and Preserve

Arrange cucumber slices in a spotless glass container. Pour the steaming vinegar mixture directly over the cucumbers, ensuring complete coverage. Let the jar cool naturally to room temperature, allowing flavors to mingle and develop.

• Chill and Savor

Seal the jar with a tight lid and stash in the refrigerator. Wait at least 24 hours before enjoying. The resting period transforms simple cucumbers into crisp, tangy pickles bursting with vibrant flavor.

Tangy Joy Of Cooking Pickle Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 1 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Pickle lovers rejoice with this easy homemade joy of cooking pickle recipe that brings tangy, crisp goodness to your table. Delightful cucumber slices marinate in a zesty brine, promising authentic flavor you will savor with each crunchy bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ seedless cucumber
• ¾ cup (180ml) water
• ½ cup (120ml) apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup (120ml) distilled white vinegar
• ½ cup (120ml) unseasoned rice vinegar
• 2 tsps cane sugar
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp mustard seeds (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Jar Preparation: Select a clean, heatproof jar capable of comfortably housing cucumber slices without overcrowding.
2. Cucumber Transformation: Slice seedless cucumbers into uniform rounds or elongated spears, maintaining a consistent 1/8 inch thickness to ensure even pickling.
3. Liquid Composition: Combine vinegar (apple cider, distilled white, or unseasoned rice), water, sugar, salt, and optional mustard seeds in a medium saucepan, creating a flavor-infused pickling base.
4. Heating Process: Activate burner to medium-high heat, stirring the mixture until sugar and salt completely dissolve, generating a transparent, aromatic pickling solution with a smooth consistency.
5. Cucumber Placement: Strategically arrange cucumber slices within the jar, optimizing space and ensuring maximum liquid contact for thorough flavor absorption.
6. Liquid Infusion: Pour the hot pickling liquid over the cucumbers, guaranteeing complete submersion and eliminating potential air pockets that could compromise preservation.
7. Cooling and Preservation: Allow the jar to cool naturally to room temperature for 45-60 minutes, then securely seal with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for a minimum of 24 hours to develop complex, tangy flavors.

Notes

• Slice with Precision: Cut cucumbers uniformly at 1/8 inch thickness to ensure consistent pickling and optimal texture.
• Choose Vinegar Wisely: Select high-quality vinegar like apple cider or rice vinegar for enhanced flavor complexity.
• Dissolve Completely: Stir sugar and salt thoroughly until fully dissolved to create a clear, balanced pickling brine.
• Patience Pays Off: Refrigerate for at least 24 hours to allow flavors to develop and pickles to reach perfect tanginess.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1
• Calories: 20
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 230mg
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg