Can we talk about pickles? I love a homemade pickle! And honestly, they are not hard to make at all! Here are my 11 Essential Pickle Recipes you can make all year round, but are truly best during the summer harvest season!
And best of all? You don’t need any complicated canning equipment or special instructions. These recipes are all refrigerator pickle recipes, meaning that they can be made and stored in your fridge right away.
If you are more of a hands-on reader, check out my book, Seed to Table, which includes a section on Pickling, as well as some other preservation ideas!
The Base Refrigerator Pickle Recipe
What I love about refrigerator pickles is that they are quite foolproof. A beginner can prepare them, and even if your measurements are slightly off, the result will still be good.
This recipe right here is my basic refrigerator pickle recipe. All you need to remember though is that you need both vinegar and water to pickle, as well as salt. Sugar is optional, but it helps round things out. Some of my recipes will use more or less sugar and salt depending on what we are pickling.
The key however is the vinegar solution. If you only use vinegar, the pickle will be way too sour and tart (not enjoyable). And if you don’t have enough vinegar in the pickling solution, you might not get the fruits and vegetables to pickle correctly. So make sure to follow the quantities in the recipes.
5 from 2 votes
Easiest Refrigerator Pickles Ever
If you've never made pickles before, you're in for a treat. This recipe for refrigerator pickles is so easy, you'll be wondering why you haven't discovered it sooner!
Here are my top spicy pickle recipes. Enjoy them on tacos, and bowls, with many of my main dishes. If you are a fan of spicy condiments, check out some of my Fermentation Recipes for more ideas.
5 from 2 votes
10-Minute Quick Pickled Jalapenos
Once you give this quick pickled jalapenos recipe a try, I guarantee you won't go back to store-bought canned jalapenos ever again. Best of all, this recipe comes together in about 10 minutes!
Escabeche (Spicy Mexican Pickled Vegetables) is a classic condiment served at most Mexican restaurants that can easily be made right at home. This refrigerator pickle recipe is not only foolproof and easy, it comes together in under 15 minutes. Enjoy these spicy pickled vegetables with tacos, rice dishes, and eggs.
This Pickled Banana Pepper recipe is an excellent starting point on your pickling journey. It’s easy to prepare, straightforward, adaptable, and foolproof! Add these sliced peppers to sandwiches, bowls, shawarma wraps, subs, hot dogs, and hamburgers.
Homemade Giardiniera Pickles, also known as Italian Pickled vegetables, are a staple in my fridge all summer long and a great way to preserve the harvest or farmer’s market haul! Enjoy these pickles on their own straight out of the jar or as a tangy and sweet side dish to rich meals.
Levantine pickled cauliflower is an easy and delicious entry into the wonderful world of preservation and pickling. This recipe comes together with just a few simple ingredients. The deep pink color is so gorgeous and fun you might even get your kids to eat cauliflower!
Pickle lovers, this classic Dilly Beans recipe comes together in under 20 minutes. The briny, salty and tangy pickled beans are a great addition to a charcuterie board, grazing table, or cocktails like a Bloody Mary or Caesar. This is a perfect summer recipe when fresh dill and string beans are abundant!
If you're looking for a great way to enjoy cherry tomatoes, pickling might just be the answer! Pickling is a traditional preservation method that involves immersing food in a solution of vinegar, salt, and spices. The result is a tangy, flavorful condiment that can be used in a variety of dishes.
This Mexican Pickled Onions recipe is unique, delicious and addictive. What makes it special (and Yucatan-style) is the addition of sour citrus juice. But not to worry, you don’t need to go searching for sour oranges to make this. Grapefruit and limes sub in beautifully. Best of all, this recipe comes together in under 20 minutes and your pickles will be ready the next day.
Danmuji (Korean Pickled Radish) is a sweet, tangy, and colorful condiment that can be made at home. This recipe comes together in under 15 minutes and will last you several months in the fridge. One of the many Korean side dishes known as banchan.
Lebanese pickles, or as I like to call them, shawarma pickles or pink pickles are a Middle Eastern staple that brings color and a sweet and sour touch to any dish. If you’ve ever had a shawarma or falafel wrap, chances are you have tried, and loved these pickled turnips!
Pickled green tomatoes are a great way to use up those end of the season unripe tomatoes! These tangy, crisp treats are the perfect addition to sandwiches, salads, or enjoyed straight from the jar for a flavorful twist on a classic snack.
