Spicy Pickles
From McGough's Recipes
| Prep | Refrigerate
Recommended |
Refrigerate
Max Time |
Servings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Min | 10 Days | 1 Month | 12 Pickles ± |
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1-3/4 cups white vinegar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 dill sprigs or heads
- 8 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon mixed pickling spices
- 3 pounds pickling cucumbers (about 12), halved lengthwise
Directions
- Combine the water, vinegar, sugar and salt in a large bowl, then whisk together until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved. Mix in the red pepper flakes, pickling spice, garlic and dill.
- Add the cucumbers and toss until well coated. No need to let them sit since you’ll be storing them right away.
- Pack the spicy pickles in whatever container you’re using for storage—glass or ceramic jars or bowls are our choice, but plastic is fine to use here—and fully cover with the brine. If using fresh dill, try to get a sprig or two into each container. Because these are simple refrigerator pickles, you can even leave everything in the bowl you mixed it all in and put the whole bowl in the fridge.
- Cover your containers tightly and refrigerate for 10 days. You can eat the pickles before 10 days, but they won’t pack as much of a flavorful punch. The spicy pickles can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Tips
What are the best kind of cucumbers to use when making spicy pickles?
- Choosing the best cucumbers for pickling is key. Go with a fresh garden or pickling cucumber, or any variety with a thicker skin. Just make sure not to use cucumbers with a shiny wax coating. The wax is edible, but it will change the texture of your pickles.
What’s the best type of vinegar to use when making this spicy pickle recipe?
- Some types of pickles call for milder vinegars like white wine vinegar or rice vinegar, which creates a mellower bite. But for this, stick with white vinegar which adds just the right amount of sharpness.
How can you make sure your spicy pickles are crisp?
- To get really crisp pickles, pick the right cucumbers. Snacking varieties, like Persian cucumbers, will result in a too-soft pickle.
How should you store spicy pickles?
- For refrigerator pickles, you can use any glass, ceramic or plastic container, like jars or bowls, for storage. Choosing something with a tight-fitting lid is best. You can keep these spicy pickles in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
