Refrigerator Sweet Pickles Recipe (2024)

Published: by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Do not let the pickle-making process intimidate you! These refrigerator sweet pickles come together quickly and you will not even believe how delicious they are in the end!

Refrigerator Sweet Pickles Recipe (1)

Original post: August 2015 | Updated: August 2022

Why This Recipe Works

Have you ever watched the caterpillar to butterfly transformation? Of course I have always known how it works, but every time I watch it I see a complete miracle. There is no other way to describe it!

While not exactly on the same miraculous level, I am always amazed at how cucumbers so deliciously turn into pickles. A friend of ours graciously gave me a huge bag of cucumbers from her July and August harvests and I was super excited to get them into my kitchen.

Enjoy my tried and tested sweet pickles recipe and experience the miracle for yourself. This is such an easy recipe and one you’ll come back to again and again.

Recipe Ingredients

Refrigerator Sweet Pickles Recipe (2)

Cucumbers– Use approximately 5 large cucumbers, equalling 6-8cupsthinly sliced cucumbers.

Onion – Yellow, white or red onions may be used.

Peppers – Use jalapenos, serrano peppers or any other variety of hot peppers.

Vinegar – Ideally 1 cup of applecider vinegar with 1/2 cup white vinegar is used for this recipe.

Pickling spice – Replace 2tablespoonspickling spicewith 1 1/2 teaspoon celery seed and 1 1/2 teaspoon mustard seed, if desired.

How To Make Sweet Refrigerator Pickles

Change up your pickled routine and instead of dill pickles, try these pickled cucumbers. They are a delicious snack and a great way to use your garden’s bounty!

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumber and onion slices and peppers (if using). Mix well. Stuff the contents of the bowl equally into two prepared 1-quart canning jars.

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Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, pickling spices (or your combination of celery seeds and mustard seeds) and kosher salt. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to Medium. Stir to dissolve the sugar, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.

Refrigerator Sweet Pickles Recipe (4)

Step 3

Divide the vinegar mixture between the two sterilized, hot mason jars (place in boiling water or run through the dishwasher). Fill jars with water, if needed, so that the cucumbers are completely covered with liquid.

Screw lids onto jars and set in a cool place to come to room temperature. The lids will begin to make a “popping” sound as they seal, which may take some time. They are ready for eating after a minimum of 1 hour or up to 2 months. Cover and refrigerate when you are done enjoying them!

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Recipe Notes

  • If you plan for these to last a while, make sure the jars are piping hot (place them in boiling water for 10 minutes or run them through the dishwasher) before screwing on the lids. The seals will pop after a few minutes.
  • Adding peppers adds a nice touch. It does not make them too spicy, I promise. Both ways are delicious.
  • Feel free to dice up some sweet pickles and make a delicious relish out of it! Throw them onto a hot dog served in a bun or over a sandwich. It’s also good alongside pork chops or with crackers and cheese.
  • Add spice to these by using extra hot peppers, as well as red pepper flakes.
  • For a less sweet version, create refrigerator dill pickles by cutting down on the sugar or omitting it entirely. Add fresh dill, as well.
Refrigerator Sweet Pickles Recipe (6)

How Long Can Pickles Last Unrefrigerated

If you have a jar of pickles staring at you and you are wondering whether to toss or eat, read this post about how long pickles can be left out of the fridge. You will learn everything you need to know about diving into a batch of pickled cucumbers safely.

Bread and Butter Pickles vs Sweet Pickles

Recipes to enjoy these two kinds of pickles are similar, but the sugars, spices and mustard seeds vary between the two and the brine tends to be thicker with b&b pickles. Try these delicious pickles and see how easy they are to make, then you can branch out!

Refrigerator Sweet Pickles Recipe (7)

Delicious Pickle Recipe Ideas

  • Pickle Pizza
  • Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwich
  • Best Chicken Salad Sandwiches
  • Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe (aka Pantry Soup)
  • Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
  • Dill Pickle Relish

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Refrigerator Sweet Pickles Recipe (8)

Quick Sweet Refrigerator Pickles

Do NOT let the pickle-making process intimidate you! This sweet pickle recipe comes together quickly and you will not even believe how delicious they are in the end!

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 8

Calories: 125kcal

Author: Megan Porta

Ingredients

  • 6-8 cups sliced cucumbers approximately 5 large cucumbers
  • 1/2 of a yellow onion sliced
  • 1 jalapeno or serrano pepper optional, sliced
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 2 tbsp pickling spice substitution: 1 1/2 teaspoons celery seeds and 1 1/2 teaspoons mustard seeds
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine the cucumber slices, onion slices and peppers (if using). Mix well. Stuff the contents of the bowl equally into two 1-quart mason jars.

  • In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, cider vinegar, white vinegar, spices and kosher salt. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to Medium. Stir until the sugar has dissolved, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.

  • Divide the vinegar mixture between the two sterilized, hot mason jars (place in boiling water or run through the dishwasher). Fill jars with water, if needed, so that the cucumbers are completely covered with liquid. Screw lids onto jars and set in a cool place. The lids will pop as they seal. Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour or up to 2 months.

Notes

  • If you plan for these to last a while, make sure the jars are piping hot (place them in boiling water for 10 minutes or run them through the dishwasher) before screwing on the lids. The seals will pop after a few minutes.
  • Adding peppers adds a nice touch. It does not make them too spicy, I promise. Both ways are delicious.
  • Feel free to dice up some sweet pickles and make a delicious relish out of it! Throw them onto a hot dog served in a bun or over a sandwich. It’s also good alongside pork chops or with crackers and cheese.
  • Add spice to these by using extra hot peppers, as well as red pepper flakes.
  • For a less sweet version, create refrigerator dill pickles by cutting down on the sugar or omitting it entirely. Add fresh dill, as well.

Nutrition

Calories: 125kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 878mg | Potassium: 189mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 99IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!

Refrigerator Sweet Pickles Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Which vinegar is best for sweet pickles? ›

Most pickle recipes call for distilled white vinegar. This is the clear, colorless vinegar made by fermenting grains. It has a mellow aroma, tart acid flavor and does not affect the color of light-colored vegetables or fruits.

How long do refrigerator sweet pickles last? ›

I actually made my refrigerator sweet pickles before we left for vacation and tried them a week later when we got home and they were great! The best part is they remained crunchy, yay! The pickles will keep in the fridge for 3-4 weeks, 4 weeks if you keep them in canning jars.

Should brine be hot or cold for refrigerator pickles? ›

Pour the warm brine over the vegetables.

Carefully pour the brine directly over the vegetables and then give each jar a few minutes while the brine bubbles down between the vegetables. Then seal the pickles and refrigerate.

How long before you can eat refrigerator pickles? ›

The cucumbers will start off bright green, but will become darker and more "pickle-colored" as they cool. Place them in the refrigerator. Wait at least 24 hours before eating the pickles in order to let the flavors develop. Enjoy them within 1 month.

Is apple cider vinegar or vinegar better for pickles? ›

Because apple cider vinegar is made from apples rather than barley, corn rice or wine, it gives pickles a mellower taste. Using a white distilled vinegar, for example, will create a harsher flavour. But as well as being gentler on your palate, using apple cider vinegar also adds health benefits to pickles.

Is white or cider vinegar better for dill pickles? ›

You can use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar but I like using ACV for its beneficial health properties. Homemade refrigerator pickles are so delicious that they never last that long in our household.

Why do pickle jars not say pickles? ›

Olive all use the term on their websites, in advertisem*nts, and in the product descriptions of their pickle varieties. When asked why the word isn't on the front of the jars, all three companies provided nearly the same answer: They feel the word “pickle” isn't necessary on pickles packaged in clear glass containers.

Is it OK to eat 2 year expired pickles? ›

One more thing that makes them perfect: they can last a really, really long time. Pickles can last for as long as 1-2 years past the expiration date printed on their jars. That's whether you store them in the refrigerator or not, provided they've been properly sealed.

Are 2 year old pickles still good? ›

If you notice any signs of spoilage, discard the entire jar of pickles. If the pickles look and smell fine, but are past their expiration date, most food-safety experts agree you have a couple months' grace period (especially if they have been stored properly).

Can I reuse pickle brine for refrigerator pickles? ›

Yes, you can reuse pickle brine. From what it is to how to use, here's what to know about leftover pickle juice.

How do you prepare jars for refrigerator pickles? ›

Refrigerator Pickles – Preparation

Wash glass jars with hot, soapy water, then place on a baking tray and heat in the oven at 160°C for 10-15 minutes. Place the lids (and any spoons) in a pan of boiling water for 5 minutes. Salt, sugar and vinegar are all preservatives so avoid reducing these.

Do I have to boil vinegar for pickling? ›

Vinegar-based pickling is a much faster process than fermentation pickling. In its quickest form, you'll just boil a vinegar solution, pour it over the the object of your pickling desire, let it all cool and stash it in the fridge.

How do you know if refrigerator pickles have gone bad? ›

Homemade refrigerated pickles last at least three to four weeks in the fridge, McClellan says. Any longer and the quality will start to decline. You'll notice the brine goes from clear to murky and cloudy, and the pickles start to lose their texture.

What is the best vinegar for pickling cucumbers? ›

While white vinegar is the go-to for pickles and was the vinegar we always used growing up, there are more interesting vinegars you could try that would add more flavor to your pickled cucumbers. Some of our favorites are: Apple cider vinegar.

Are homemade refrigerator pickles safe? ›

Yes, as long as you use a clean jar and a clean utensil to remove the pickles from the brine, homemade refrigerator pickles are safe.

What gives sweet pickles their flavor? ›

Sweet pickles are made just like dill pickles but have a low amount of sugar added to the brine mixture. Sweet pickles are not to be confused with candied pickles: pickles packed in a syrup-like brine.

What is the sweetest tasting vinegar? ›

Rice vinegar, or rice wine vinegar, is made from fermented rice wine. It has a sweet, delicate flavor and is less acidic compared to most types of vinegar.

Does vinegar quality matter for pickles? ›

Vinegar used for pickling must at least 5% acidity. Look at the label to be sure that the vinegar you are using is 5% acidity. Sometimes vinegar will be labeled as grain; 5% acidity is the same as 50 grain. Most white and cider vinegars used for making pickles and salsa are 5% acidity, but not all.

Is white vinegar the same as distilled vinegar? ›

Most people agree that the basic difference would be the level of purity. Simply put, distilled vinegar has been purified more than white vinegar. More than that, there are also dissimilarities when it comes to chemical structure, production and usage. White vinegar is sometimes also called spirit vinegar.

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