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Dill Pickles

This is a very easy and delicious recipe! My kids do not like garlic so I make these dill pickles with no garlic, but you could easily add garlic to it as well.

Instructions
 

  • Begin by soaking your pickling cucumbers in cold water.
  • When you are ready to begin, you can cut each end off.
  • You will want to preheat your oven to its lowest temperature to keep the jars warm while you prepare the brine.
  • You can also get the lids going in a slow rolling boil of water as well while you do this.
  • Prepare your brine by adding 12 cups of distilled water, 5 cups of white vinegar, and ½ cup of pickling salt to a pot and boil.
  • Take your warm jars out of the oven and add a sprig of dill to the bottom (and a clove of garlic if wanted).
  • Pack the cucumbers into the jar as best you can. I leave them whole and only cut when I need to to make them fit at the end. You could slice them lengthwise if you prefer.
  • Add another sprig of dill (and another clove of garlic if wanted) on top of the cucumbers.
  • Pour hot brine over the top, leaving 1 inch of headspace.
  • Wipe the jar rim.
  • Place a hot lid and put the ring on to finger tightness.
  • Process. Some just put these jars back into the oven for 15 minutes. I have had about 75% luck that way on getting a seal. To be safe, you would want to process in a water bath canner for 15 minutes.
  • Let the jars sit for 24 hours undisturbed to let them seal.
  • Pickles are best if you leave them a minimum of 4 weeks before eating. Longer is even better as it gives them more opportunity to pickle.