Is there anyone in this world who doesn’t like pickles? We are sure that all our readers are pickle-lovers for sure. To grow your love for it even more, we decided to come up with the easiest process of how to pickle cucumbers at home. In this blog, we will discuss the most convenient way of pickling cucumbers at home. And the best part is you can make two different types of pickled cucumber with more or less the same ingredients. Also, we will further discuss some additional tips that will not only help you prepare some delicious pickles but will let you store them for a long period.
So, are you ready to munch on some extra crunchy, tangy, yet sweet pickled cucumbers? If yes, continue reading the recipe mentioned below.
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The Fastest Recipe On How To Pickle Cucumbers At Home!
The only reason why people buy pickled cucumbers from the market is because they feel that making them at home is a lengthy and time-consuming process that involves a lot of ingredients and preparation. However, the irony is that how to pickle cucumbers is a super easy process. The complete preparation process will only cost you 1 to 1.5 hours. Try out the recipe mentioned below.
Ingredients Required to make pickled cucumbers at home!
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Cucumbers | 3-4 units |
| Ice cubes | 10 to 15 cubes |
| White Vinegar | 4 Cups |
| Salt | 4 Tablespoons |
| Powdered Sugar | 3 Tablespoons |
Step 1- Slice your cucumbers horizontally into very thin pieces
The first step of how to pickle cucumbers at home is to slice them into thin pieces horizontally. It would be best if you selected seedless English cucumbers for making homemade cucumber pickles. Additionally, you will not have to peel the English cucumbers further as they have a very thin outer covering. Peeling isn’t required, even if you are using cucumbers full of seeds. Also, we recommend you utilize a vegetable slicer to achieve thin and even cucumber slices. Using a knife is always an option.
Step 2- Prepare your sliced cucumber
If you are someone who loves crunchy cucumber salad, this step is mandatory for you. If not, you are free to skip it. You should now prepare your thin cucumber slices. For this, you will require ice cubes, a big bowl, and a strainer. Once you have collected all the mentioned items, place your strainer on top of the bowl. Transfer the cucumber slices to it and add some ice cubes on top. Let them sit in the bowl for around 15 to 20 minutes. This will give them a crunchier taste.
Step 3- Make a pickling liquid/ brine
Preparing a liquid or brine is the next step involved in how to pickle cucumbers at home. There are two ways in which you can create a liquid for pickling your cucumber. We are mentioning both of them. You can select either any one of them or both. This is because the ingredients are more or less the same. Hence, you can try both to get two different types of pickled cucumbers.
Type 1- A simple cucumber pickling liquid!
For this pickling liquid, you will require some basic ingredients, including 3 cups water, 3 cups white vinegar, kosher salt, and powdered sugar. You can manipulate the quantities of sugar and salt depending on your taste preference. For example, you can add an increased quantity of sugar for a sweeter taste.
To create this liquid further, you simply need to mix all these ingredients together. Once done, you further have two options. You can either directly pour this liquid on the sliced cucumbers or instead, you can boil this mixture before pouring it. Heating your liquid will lead to a faster process on how to pickle cucumbers.
Type 2- A tangy and flavourful cucumber pickling brine!
It is obvious that to achieve tangy pickled cucumbers, you will have to make a flavourful pickling brine. For this, you will require the following ingredients.
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Drinking Water | 3 Cups |
| White Vinegar | 3 Cups |
| Kosher Salt | 2 ½ Tablespoon |
| Whole Coriander Seeds | 3 Tablespoons |
| Mustard Seeds | 3 Tablespoons |
| Peppercorn | 3 Tablespoons |
| Bay Leaves | 2 units |
| Sugar (optional) | 2 Tablespoon |
To make a tangy-flavored brine, you need to combine 3 cups of normal water with 3 cups of white vinegar. You can also use apple cider vinegar, only if you wish to. Grab a saucepan and transfer this vinegar-water mixture to it. If you wish to achieve a more tangier taste, you can increase the quantity of vinegar further decreasing the quantity of water. Similarly, you can adjust these quantities if you do not like very sour pickles.
Now add mustard seeds, peppercorn, coriander seeds, and bay leaves in the mentioned quantities. Also, add 2 ½ tablespoons of kosher salt. You can also adjust it as per your taste.
Once you have mixed all the mentioned ingredients in the required quantities, bring this liquid mixture to a boil. After that, simmer the gas and let the mixture cook for 10 to 15 minutes. If you wish to achieve a sugar yet tangy taste, this is the right time to add sugar to it. After 15 minutes, turn off the stove and let the brine cool down.
Step 4- Pour the prepared pickling liquid/brine over the sliced cucumbers
Remember you left your sliced cucumbers and ice cubes in a strainer? It is time to remove all the water present in them. Patt them dry and transfer them to a glass jar with a lid. Further, transfer the prepared liquid over the cucumbers. People often pour the liquid first and then transfer the sliced cucumbers to it. However, we do the opposite thing. First, adding the cucumbers ensures that they are all properly submerged in the prepared brine.
In case you decide to prepare both types of pickling liquid, you should grab two glass jars. Additionally, try to increase the quantity of cucumbers as well. Further, add the sliced cucumbers in two different jars while individually pouring your liquids on them.
Step 5- Time to store and refrigerate the pickle jars!
We have noticed that people often close the lids without letting the brine cool. However, this is a completely wrong practice in the process of how to pickle cucumbers. Even if you poured hot liquid over the cucumbers, you should wait for it to cool down before closing the jar lid.
Once the brine is cooled and the cucumbers are completely submerged in it, it is now time to store them. We recommend you pat the jar once or twice. This will help all the air bubbles pop and ensure that there is no air present in the jar. Once done, tightly close the lid so that no air gets into it.
Further, refrigerate the jars for 8 to 10 hours. Give the cucumbers time to absorb the brine and achieve the desired taste.
Additional details on how to pickle cucumbers at home!
- You could be confused about what type of storage containers you should use for pickling cucumbers. Well, the shape and size of the jar doesn’t really matter. What really matters is that they should either use a glass or plastic container. Containers made up of other materials, including steel, copper, etc., might not be suitable. They can spoil the taste of pickled cucumbers. Additionally, there is a possibility of vinegar reacting with the metal. This will be a disaster not only for the pickle but for the utensil as well. Hence, we recommend you only utilize glass or plastic containers. Lids are also mandatory.
- Even after learning how to pickle cumbers at home, you could be confused about storing them. Also, you might face difficult doing the same. Additionally, there are various reasons why your cucumber pickle won’t be stored properly. Not cooling the brine or leaving the jar lid loose are the two most common ones. If you eliminate these careless mistakes, you can store your homemade pickled cucumbers in the refrigerator for up to two months.
- Some other raw vegetables, such as red onions, green beans, carrots, asparagus, jalapenos, etc., can be pickled in a similar process, which is included in how to pickle cucumbers. Additionally, you can also add any of these vegetables while pickling your cucumbers. This will let you enjoy different vegetable pickles at the same time.
- While pickling cucumbers at home, we recommend you use English cucumbers; they have a very thin peel with bare minimum seeds. There is no harm in using the regular cucumbers. However, they have a lot of seeds and a very thick outer covering. Due to this, the brine might take a lot of time to absorb. Hence, this is the reason english cucumbers are the best choice for making homemade pickles.
Winding up
This was our blog on how to pickle cucumbers fast at home. We hope you understand each and every step that should be included in this process. Additionally, do not forget to take all the necessary things, such as washing the cucumbers, cooling the brine, etc., into consideration. If you properly follow all the steps listed above, we are sure you will create the best homemade cucumber pickle. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about storing it, as your cucumber pickle won’t last long.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there any easy way to make pickled cucumbers at home?
The easiest recipe for how to pickle cucumbers at home includes only common ingredients and 3 to 4 basic steps. All you will need is cucumbers, vinegar, salt, and sugar. Simply slice the cucumbers and make the pickling liquid by mixing water, vinegar, salt, and sugar. Once done, pour the liquid on the sliced cucumbers and close the jar lid. Let it refrigerate for 8 hours before finally consuming.
What type of cucumbers should I use to make homemade pickles?
Any type of cucumber can be used to make pickles. However, it would be best if you selected English cucumbers.
For how long can I store the homemade cucumber pickle?
If you consider all the mandatory steps while pickling cucumbers at home, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to two months. Well, we doubt if there will be any leftover pickles in two months.
What type of container should I use for pickling cucumbers at home?
The most appropriate container for homemade pickled cucumbers is either a glass jar or a plastic container. However, a lid for locking and sealing the containers is mandatory.
Can I add some other vegetables along with cucumbers while pickling them at home?
Yes, you can add other vegetables along with cucumbers. You can include red onions, cut into bell shape, carrots, green beans, asparagus, etc. Olives, jalapenos, and bell peppers are also some popular choices.
