Crispy Homemade Cucumber Pickles
Make Your Own Refreshing Cucumber Pickles with a Satisfying Crunch!
Elevate your meals with these essential homemade cucumber pickles, perfect for any Western dish! If you’ve been disappointed by the mushy texture of store-bought pickles, this recipe guarantees a delightful crispiness alongside a perfectly balanced sweet and sour flavor. It’s incredibly simple to make and yields delicious, fresh-tasting pickles in just 3-4 days. Get ready to impress yourself and your guests with this golden recipe!
Ingredients- 3 cucumbers
- 200ml sugar (approx. 1 cup)
- 300ml water (approx. 1.5 cups)
- 300ml apple cider vinegar (approx. 1.5 cups)
- 1 tbsp pickling spice
- 1 tbsp salt
- A pinch of whole peppercorns
- 3 bay leaves
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s sterilize the glass jar you’ll use for the pickles. Place the jar in a pot with water, and once the water begins to boil, continue boiling for about 5 minutes. (Important: To prevent the glass from cracking due to sudden temperature changes, always place the jar in cold water before heating.) Carefully remove the sterilized jar when you see steam rising, and ensure it’s completely dry. Avoid boiling for too long, as it can deform or break the glass.
Step 2
Wash the cucumbers thoroughly. Then, soak them in a vinegar-water solution (water mixed with a little vinegar) for about 5 minutes to remove any residual pesticides. This step ensures your cucumbers are fresh and clean.
Step 3
After soaking, pat the cucumbers completely dry with paper towels. Next, slice them into bite-sized pieces. To achieve a satisfying crunch, aim for slices about 1 cm thick – not too thin!
Step 4
Arrange the dried and sliced cucumbers snugly into the sterilized glass jar. It’s helpful to leave a little space at the top so the pickling liquid can circulate evenly.
Step 5
Now, let’s prepare the pickling brine. In a pot, combine 200ml sugar, 1 tbsp pickling spice, 1 tbsp salt, and 300ml water. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat, stirring until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved.
Step 6
Once the brine is boiling vigorously, carefully pour in 300ml of apple cider vinegar. Continue to boil for another minute. Boiling for too long after adding vinegar can diminish the tangy flavor, so keep it brief!
Step 7
Add the 3 bay leaves to the jar with the cucumbers. Then, cautiously pour the hot pickling brine over the cucumbers, ensuring they are fully submerged. Once all the brine is added, let the jar cool slightly before sealing it with a lid. Refrigerate and let it pickle for about 3-4 days. Patience will be rewarded!
Step 8
These perfectly pickled cucumbers will be delightfully sweet, sour, and incredibly crisp, making them a fantastic accompaniment to any meal. Enjoy them with sandwiches, burgers, fried foods, and more!
