Old-Fashioned Bread and Butter Pickles

Introduction

Old-Fashioned Bread and Butter Pickles are a classic sweet-and-tangy favorite, known for their crisp texture and perfectly balanced flavor. These homemade pickles are ideal for sandwiches, burgers, or as a refreshing side dish, and they taste even better after a short curing time.

Ingredients

• 8 cups cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 2 onions, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup kosher salt
• Ice (enough to cover cucumbers and onions)
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups vinegar (white or apple cider)
• 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon celery seeds
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions

1. Slice the cucumbers and onions into thin, even rounds.
2. Place them in a large bowl and sprinkle with kosher salt.
3. Cover completely with ice and let sit for 3 hours.
4. Drain thoroughly and rinse lightly with cold water.
5. In a large pot, combine sugar, vinegar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, turmeric, and ground cloves.
   Discover more

   Salt

   Pickled cucumber

   spicy

   vegetables

   Mustard

   Hamburger

   Butter

   spice

   salt

   pickling cucumbers

6. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves.
   Discover more

   Mustard

   cucumbers

   salt

   Cream

   pickle

   Creamy

   Butter

   cucumber

   Spice

   spicy

7. Add the cucumber and onion slices to the hot brine.
8. Simmer for about 5 minutes, until slightly tender but still crisp.
   Discover more

   salt

   Creamy

   burgers

   Bread

   pickle

   Salt

   spiced

   Butter

   Spice

   Cucumber

9. Pack the hot pickles into sterilized jars, covering completely with brine.
   Discover more

   Hamburger

   cucumber

   burgers

   Cucumber

   Bread

   spicy

   Butter

   Mustard

   mustard

   Cream

10. Seal jars and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
11. Let jars cool completely before storing.

How to Make

Salt and ice the cucumbers to remove excess moisture and keep them crisp.

Prepare a sweet-and-spiced vinegar brine for classic flavor.

Simmer briefly to soften the vegetables without losing crunch.

Jar the pickles while hot to ensure proper sealing.

Allow time for curing so flavors fully develop.

Variations

Use apple cider vinegar for a milder, fruity taste.

Add sliced bell peppers for extra color and sweetness.

Reduce sugar slightly for a less sweet pickle.

Add chili flakes for a sweet-and-spicy version.

Use pickling cucumbers for extra crunch.

Tips

Slice cucumbers evenly for uniform pickling.

Do not overcook—short simmering keeps pickles crisp.

Always use sterilized jars for safe storage.

Store jars in a cool, dark place.

Best flavor develops after at least one week of curing.