Quick Tangy Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles
A crunchy, sweet-and-sour pickle snack ready in just 30 minutes using a quick refrigerator method with simple pantry ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium fresh cucumbers (Kirby or pickling cucumbers preferred)
- 1 small yellow or white onion, thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240ml) distilled white vinegar
- 1 cup (240ml) water
- 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon celery seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 tablespoon salt (pickling or kosher salt preferred)
Instructions
- Wash and dry cucumbers. Slice into 1/8-inch (3 mm) thick rounds. Peel and thinly slice the onion. Combine both in a large mixing bowl.
- In a medium saucepan, combine vinegar, water, sugar, salt, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric powder. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar and salt dissolve completely (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Using a slotted spoon or tongs, transfer cucumber and onion slices into clean glass jars or airtight containers. Leave some room for brine circulation.
- Pour the warm brine over the cucumbers and onions, ensuring they are fully submerged. Save any leftover brine for another batch.
- Let jars cool to room temperature (15-20 minutes), then seal with lids and refrigerate.
- Wait at least 30 minutes before eating; flavor improves after a few hours or overnight.
Notes
Use firm Kirby cucumbers for best crunch. Mustard seeds are essential for flavor. Let pickles rest for a few hours or overnight for best taste. Store refrigerated and consume within 2-3 weeks. For extra crispness, chill cucumbers in ice water for 30 minutes before slicing. Variations include adding red pepper flakes for spice or fresh dill for herbal notes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 ounce (28g)
- Calories: 12
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 200
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0.3
Keywords: bread and butter pickles, refrigerator pickles, quick pickles, homemade pickles, tangy pickles, sweet and sour pickles, easy pickles