Everyone has that friend that always wants the leftover pickle that their non-pickle loving friends discard when eating out. It’s me, I’m the pickle friend. I’ve always loved pickles since I was a kid. I’ve always been enamored with the salty, briny flavor, and would often get the huge 99¢ pickles from the big jar at my local market with my best friend. I love making quick pickles, especially in the summertime when cucumbers and peppers are abundant and fresh. This easy refrigerator pickles recipe is simple, nostalgic, and requires no canning prep. Use this recipe more as a guide: I’ve made some suggestions for what kinds of veggies to use, but the possibilities are limitless. It’s also very flexible depending on what sized containers you have on hand!
What are refrigerator pickles?
Refrigerator pickles, or fridge pickles, are a type of pickle that are made specifically to live in the fridge. They are not shelf stable, so they do not require any special canning equipment or experience. After sitting in the fridge for about 24 hours, they’re ready to enjoy, but get better and better as time goes on.
Refrigerator pickles are a fantastic way to use up lots of produce, as they last in the fridge for about a month. They’re also a fun way to experiment with textures and flavors, and to create something special to add to your everyday meals. Refrigerator pickles also make a great gift for friends and family!
What veggies should I use for refrigerator pickles?
The obvious choice for making pickles are cucumbers. I personally prefer to use kirby cucumbers, also known as pickling cucumbers. These cucumbers are nice and short (perfect for glass jars). They have a slightly thicker skin that will not go soft over time. You can also use persian cucumbers, lemon cucumbers, or whatever is available to you.
I also love to pickle peppers. You can pickle jalapeño peppers for a spicier kick, or stick to sweet peppers like jimmy nardello peppers or bell peppers. Carrots, onions, green beans, cherry tomatoes, radishes, and summer squash are all other fabulous pickling options. The creativity is limitless! Feel free to mix up some of your veggies of choice in the jar for even more complex flavor combinations.
What tools you need
Making refrigerator pickles is fabulous because it does not require any special equipment. All you need are clean glass jars to store your pickles in, but don’t feel pressured to use a specific size. For this particular recipe, I made about four jars of pickles, using jars that have a 3/4 liter capacity, but I always like to use the random small jars lurking in my cabinets for the little off cuts and leftovers. Whatever you have on hand is just fine, and simply add a little bit more vinegar or water as needed if you find yourself short on brine.
How to store these pickles
Because these pickles don’t use traditional canning methods, they must be stored in the fridge. The good news is that they keep well in the fridge for up to a month! Just top off the liquid with more vinegar or water as needed.
I hope you give these Easy Refrigerator Pickles a try! Be sure to tag me on instagram so I can see your bakes, and leave me a comment below! Your feedback helps other bakers who are giving this recipe a try, and I love hearing about your bakes!
