Homemade Refrigerator Pickles

When I first saw the theme for this month’s Recipe Redux Challenge – I was excited because I knew I had the perfect recipe. One that has been loved by at least 4 generations in my family. Homemade Refrigerator Pickles using fresh cucumbers from my garden. The best thing about it? The flavor: it’s sweet and tangy and crisp all at the same time. And the second best thing? How easy it really is to create these delectable little pickles. Be prepared to share the recipe.

Jen’s Family Favorite: Cold Sliced Refrigerator Pickles
Source: Thanks Grandma!

3 cups sugar
3 cups white vinegar
1/3 cup pickling salt
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon tumeric
4 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
4-5 large cucumbers, thinly sliced (leave the peel on)

1. In a medium bowl, stir together sugar, white vinegar, pickling salt, celery seed and tumeric. Whisk well until sugar is dissolved.
2. In clean pint or quart jars, layer cucumbers and onions to within 1 inch head space. Pour vinegar solution over pickles. Cover with lids and place in the refrigerator. You can also use our family favorite container – an ice cream pail to contain the whole batch.
3. Every few days, stir pickles within jar. Pickles will shrink slightly and soften. After two weeks, pickles are ready to be enjoyed!

Makes approximately 3 quarts.

Healthy fermentation is good for the gut. As a dietitian in the supermarket setting, my favorite recommendation for keeping the gut in balance (especially with antibiotic prescriptions) – is Kefir. It is a cultured milk type product, tasting like liquified yogurt. The Lifeway brand in particular has 10 active cultures to keep your digestive tract in balance. I add it to smoothies for a creamy texture.  Check out some yummy kefir recipes from my fellow Recipe Redux Challenge Bloggers:

6 Comments

  1. Serena on September 22, 2012 at 7:29 am

    OH, I wish I would’ve had this recipe 3 days ago…I used a recipe that’s more sour and spicy than sweet/sour! Yours looks yummy! I’ll have to save for next year as my cukes are gone!

    • Jen Haugen on September 22, 2012 at 8:06 am

      Serena, sorry that your cukes are gone! It really is good, which is why it has made it through four generations. Thanks for your comment! Hope you can make it sooner rather than later!

      Jen

  2. Robin from Robinsbite on September 22, 2012 at 3:06 pm

    I am modifying my summer cucs and onions to include these spices-thanks for the tip!…off to buy some tumeric!

    • Jen Haugen on September 22, 2012 at 6:38 pm

      Thanks Robin! The tumeric is a great addition! I love it!

  3. Deanna Segrave-Daly (@tspbasil) on September 22, 2012 at 6:33 pm

    Love this recipe – my sister has a similar one that I always want to make but my excuse is I don’t have the right kind of container – I need to get one pronto!

    • Jen Haugen on September 22, 2012 at 6:35 pm

      Thanks Deanna! My grandma and mom use clean ice cream pails, I put mine in pint jars. Seems like anything goes!

Leave a Comment





Similar Posts