Dill Pickles

Name: Dill Pickles
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20190 min
Yield: 32 jars
Cuisine: Canadian
Ingredients: 4 cups water; 2 cups white vinegar; 1/4 cup pickling salt; 2 kg fresh cucumbers (small, about 5 cm long); 8 garlic cloves (peeled); 8 sprigs fresh dill; 4 tsp mustard seeds; 4 tsp dill seeds

20190 min 32 jars Easy

All Recipes

Dill Pickles

Crisp and tangy dill pickles perfect for snacking or as a sandwich addition.

Prep

20 min

Cook

10 min

Total

20190 min

Servings

Difficulty

Easy

Dill pickles, or 'cornichons à l'aneth', are a beloved addition to many meals, offering a tangy and refreshing crunch. These pickles are not only a tasty snack but also a fantastic accompaniment to sandwiches and burgers. The process of making dill pickles is straightforward, requiring only a handful of ingredients and a little patience. With this recipe, you'll enjoy homemade pickles with a flavour that far surpasses any store-bought version.

Ingredients

Servings

Pickling Brine

Pickles

Instructions

Prepare the cucumbers

Wash cucumbers thoroughly and trim off blossom ends.

Pro tip: Trimming the blossom end prevents the pickles from softening.

Sterilize jars

Sterilize 4 pint jars by boiling them in water for 10 minutes.

Pro tip: Use a jar lifter to safely remove jars from boiling water.

Prepare the brine

In a saucepan, combine water, vinegar, and pickling salt. Bring to a boil.

Pro tip: Stir until the salt is completely dissolved.

Pack jars

Place 2 garlic cloves, 2 sprigs of dill, 1 tsp mustard seeds, and 1 tsp dill seeds in each jar. Pack cucumbers tightly into the jars.

Pro tip: Leave about 1 cm of headspace at the top of each jar.

Add the brine

Pour hot brine over the cucumbers, leaving 1 cm of headspace. Ensure cucumbers are submerged.

Pro tip: Use a non-metallic utensil to remove air bubbles.

Seal jars

Wipe jar rims clean and seal with lids. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

Pro tip: Ensure lids are properly tightened but not overly tight.

Cool and store

Remove jars from the water bath and let cool. Store in a cool, dark place for at least 2 weeks before consuming.

Pro tip: Label jars with the date for easy tracking.

💡

Tips & Tricks

<ul><li>Use fresh, firm cucumbers for the best crunch.</li><li>Adjust the amount of dill to suit your taste preferences.</li><li>Ensure jars are properly sterilized to prevent spoilage.</li><li>Let pickles sit for at least a week for optimal flavour.</li></ul>

Serving Suggestions

Serve your dill pickles with a hearty sandwich or as a crunchy side to a juicy burger. They also make a delightful snack straight from the jar. For storage, keep the pickles in the refrigerator once opened. Unopened jars can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to a year, allowing the flavours to develop even further.