Dive into the world of homemade pickles with this Bread and Butter Pickles recipe. Not only will you have a delicious condiment ready for your next meal, but you'll also enjoy the satisfaction of having made them yourself. Happy pickling!
Course Sauces, Stocks, and Accompaniments
Cuisine American
Prep Time 3 hourshours
Cook Time 20 minutesminutes
Author N. Jay Sorensen, MBA RDN
Ingredients
4poundspickling cucumbers4 to 6 inches in length
1.5poundsonionsthinly sliced
1/3cupcanning salt
Ice cubes or crushed iceas needed
3cupscider vinegar
3cupssugar
2tablespoonsmustard seeds
1.5teaspoonscelery seeds
1teaspoonground turmeric
Instructions
Prepare the Cucumbers: Trim the ends from the cucumbers and slice them into 1/4 inch thick pieces. Place them in a large, deep stainless steel bowl.
Add Onions and Salt: Incorporate the thinly sliced onions and canning salt with the cucumbers. Mix well.
Ice Layer: Cover the cucumber and onion mixture with a 2- to 3-inch layer of ice cubes or crushed ice. Let the mixture stand for 3 hours, adding more ice as necessary to keep it chilled.
Prepare the Pickling Liquid: In a heavy-bottomed 8-quart stainless steel saucepan, combine the cider vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Rinse the Cucumber Mixture: After 3 hours, thoroughly drain and rinse the cucumber and onion mixture. Then, add it to the boiling vinegar solution.
Return to Boil: Bring the mixture back to a boil.
Jar the Pickles: Carefully pack the hot pickles into prepared, wide-mouth pint jars, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace at the top. Use a nonmetallic spatula to release any air bubbles by gently running it between the pickles and the jar sides.
Seal the Jars: Wipe the rims and threads of the jars clean, then top with hot lids and firmly screw on the bands.
Process: Place the jars in a boiling water canner and process for 10 minutes to ensure they are properly sealed and preserved.
Notes
Chef's Tips:• Quality of Ingredients: The fresher your cucumbers, the crunchier your pickles will be. Always choose the best quality, especially for pickling.• Even Slices: Uniform slices not only cook evenly but also ensure a consistent texture and flavor in every bite.• Adjust to Taste: Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar or vinegar to match your taste preferences. Making pickles is as much about personal taste as it is about following a recipe.Safety Note: Ensuring food safety is crucial when canning. Use canning salt without anti-caking agents or iodine to avoid cloudy brine. Always process your jars in a boiling water canner for the recommended time to prevent spoilage and ensure safety.