Easy refrigerator pickle recipe: Spicy garlic dill pickles

Refrigerator pickles are an easy and quick way to enjoy homemade pickles without the need for canning. This recipe for spicy garlic dill pickles offers a crisp, flavorful alternative to store-bought versions, perfect as a side dish or an addition to sandwiches and charcuterie boards.

Is this spicy garlic pickle recipe safe for canning?

It’s important to clarify that the spicy garlic dill pickles recipe we’re discussing here is intended explicitly for refrigerator pickles. It’s not designed as a safe canning recipe for spicy pickles. When prepared as refrigerator pickles, they have a refrigerated shelf life of approximately two weeks. If you are looking for a shelf-stable pickle, try Ball Canning’s Kosher Dill Pickle recipe.

What are refrigerator pickles?

Refrigerator pickles, as the name implies, are a type of pickle crafted with vinegar and designed for short-term storage in your refrigerator. Unlike other kinds, these pickles do not undergo fermentation or the rigorous processing necessary for long-term shelf stability. Instead, they offer a fresh and crisp texture, making them a delightful addition to your refrigerator’s culinary repertoire.

Benefits of refrigerator pickles

Refrigerator pickles are a convenient and customizable option for pickle lovers. Unlike canned or fermented pickles, they don’t require specialized equipment or a long process, making them a hassle-free way to enjoy homemade pickles. The ability to adjust the recipe to your taste—whether by altering the level of spiciness, the type of seasonings, or other ingredients—makes them particularly appealing.

In essence, refrigerator pickles provide a convenient and customizable way to relish homemade pickles without the usual time and recipe constraints.

Do I have to use a mason jar?

When making refrigerator pickles, you have flexibility when selecting your containers. Unlike canning, which demands specific jars and lids, refrigerator pickles allow you to work with what you have on hand. Any glass jar will suffice for this purpose, making it a convenient option for pickle enthusiasts. 

In fact, you can even repurpose and clean out jars from other products like store-bought pickles or spaghetti sauce, giving them a second life in your pickle-making endeavors. This adaptability simplifies the process and ensures that you can easily start making your own delicious refrigerator pickles without needing specialized jars.

How to make this recipe spicier

To infuse your refrigerator pickles with an extra kick of spiciness, here’s how you can elevate the heat factor:

1. Hotter chili flakes: One straightforward method is to increase the chili flakes you incorporate into the recipe. Adding more chili flakes allows you to dial up the spiciness level to your desired taste.

2. Fresh chilis: Introducing fresh chili peppers into the mix is another option. Slice up jalapeños, serranos, or habaneros and blend them with your cucumbers during pickling. This infusion of fresh chili peppers not only amps the heat but also adds a vibrant, zesty flavor to your pickles.

For a milder option: If this recipe sounds too spicy for you, it’s easy to make it milder by reducing the amount of chili flakes or omitting them entirely.

Spicy pickles WITHOUT dill

You’re in luck if you want to craft spicy refrigerator pickles but prefer to skip the dill. Since this recipe isn’t intended for canning, you can customize the flavor profile to your liking, including omitting the dill entirely.

Alternatively, if you have other fresh herbs from your garden like thyme or rosemary, you can substitute the dill for any other herb you like to create your own customized pickle.

Again, the benefit of refrigerator pickles over canned pickles is that it is completely safe to swap out any ingredient to customize the flavor to your own taste.

Secret to crispy pickles

One of the distinct advantages of refrigerator pickles is their inherent crispiness, surpassing that of their canned or fermented counterparts. Unlike many canning recipes that incorporate calcium chloride or similar crisping agents, this recipe achieves crisp perfection without such additives.

How to achieve crisp pickles

Refrigerator pickles are known for their crispness, which can often surpass that of canned or fermented pickles. To maintain this crisp texture, consider the following tips:

• Use Fresh Cucumbers: The fresher the cucumbers, the crisper the pickles. If possible, use cucumbers straight from the garden.
• Choose Small Cucumbers: Smaller pickling cucumbers are ideal for achieving a crunchy texture.
• Remove the Blossom End: Removing the blossom end of the cucumber helps prevent it from becoming soft.
• Add Tannins: Incorporating tannins, such as those found in bay leaves or grape leaves, can help preserve the crispness of the pickles. Place a bay leaf or grape leaf at the bottom of your jar to keep your pickles crunchy.

This spicy refrigerator pickles recipe combines crisp mini cucumbers with a blend of dried dill, red pepper flakes, and garlic for a zesty kick. With a simple assembly and an hour of refrigeration, you can enjoy these tangy and crunchy pickles as a flavorful addition to your favorite dishes or a satisfying snack.

Spicy garlic dill pickles recipe

This spicy refrigerator pickles recipe combines crisp mini cucumbers with a blend of dried dill, red pepper flakes, and garlic for a zesty kick. With a simple assembly and an hour of refrigeration, you can enjoy these tangy and crunchy pickles as a flavorful addition to your favorite dishes or a satisfying snack.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Refrigeration Time 1 hour hr

Course Snack

Servings 16 servings

Ingredients

  

• 4-6 mini cucumbers
• 1 tablespoon dried dill
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 tablespoon peppercorn medley
• 3 garlic cloves or more!
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup water

Instructions

 

• Begin by slicing the mini cucumbers into quarters, creating spear-like pieces. Similarly, quarter the garlic cloves and set them aside.
• Add the dried dill, red pepper flakes, coarse salt, bay leaves, and peppercorn medley to the bottom of a mason jar.
• Layer the quartered garlic pieces on top of the spice mixture.
• Carefully stand the cucumber spears upright in the jar. Ensure not to pack them too tightly to allow the spices to evenly infuse each pickle.
• Pour the white vinegar into the jar, ensuring it covers the cucumbers.
• To complete the pickling solution, fill the remaining space in the jar with water.
• Securely screw the lid onto the jar and shake it to evenly distribute the spices.
• Refrigerate the jar for at least an hour (or ideally overnight) to allow the flavors to meld and develop.

Refrigerator pickles offer a straightforward and flexible way of making pickles tailored to your preferences. So, the next time you’re in the mood for that satisfying blend of spice and garlic, remember this recipe and savor the simple joy of spicy homemade pickles.