Published October 6, 2020

I had a surplus of cucumbers as my garden wrapped up for the end of the season.

While I could make cucumber crab bites, I decided to do some research and make my own homemade refrigerator pickles, by following Allrecipe’s instructions.

Ingredients for Allrecipe’s Homemade Sweet Pickles

Since I had a variety of cucumbers on hand, and leftover turmeric from the Gordon Ramsay meatball recipe with coconut broth, I only went to the store to buy mustard seeds.

If you’re using store-bought cucumbers, I would recommend buying the smaller Kirby-style cucumbers. They have fewer seeds and more closely resemble pickles in size.

How to Make Allrecipe’s Homemade Sweet Pickles

Tools for this Dish

• Knife and cutting board 

• Measuring spoons and bowls for spices

• Bowls/plates for your vegetables 

• Medium saucepan and spoon (for pickling liquid)

• Large glass jar with lid (for your pickles) 

• Ladle or funnel for pickling liquid

Cooking Notes

Layering Your Ingredients

I layered even sections of onion to cucumber for my jar of homemade sweet pickles. There’s no right or wrong way of doing this. Feel free to drop handfuls of onions and cucumbers in at any point, and shake it around. It doesn’t have to be perfect.

When I added my pickling liquid and stored it in the fridge, my layers mixed together anyway.

Pickling Time

This recipe is easy to follow because it doesn’t require canning or any complex steps. Once your pickling liquid is combined with the vegetables, close the top of your jar/container and leave it in the refrigerator to pickle.

I left mine in the fridge for about a week and half before I used them. The longer you let them pickle, the greener and more developed their flavor.

At a minimum, leave your pickles for 24-48 hours before you serve them.

Portions and Storage

I used an extra large jar, and divided half of my onions and cucumbers into it, with all of the pickling liquid. I made a second batch of pickling liquid so that I could use up the rest of the onions and cucumbers.

With both jars, I would say that I had at least 4-5 cups of pickles, maybe more. You can use these on top of homemade turkey burgers, Popeyes chicken sandwiches, and more.

The Final Product

Allrecipe’s homemade sweet pickles taste like classic Vlasic pickles! I love their sweeter flavor and overtime they darkened into the classic green color of pickles you buy in the store.

As a one-pot recipe, these homemade pickles are easy to make and eat!

Recipe Score

I would give Allrecipe’s homemade sweet pickles at 10/10 for the following:

• Recipe Level

  • Easy: No canning or fancy bottles needed. Use empty glass bottles from pasta sauce and other ingredients to use for your homemade pickles. Leave them in the refrigerator as they develop their flavor.

• Ingredients

  • You can use homegrown cucumbers or buy fresh from your local farmer’s market. The spices used in this recipe are common — and if you’re looking to try new flavors — customizable.

• Prep

  • No prep required

• Flavor

  • 10/10: Classic, sweet pickle taste with crisp, homegrown cucumbers.

K. Martinelli Makes Allrecipe’s Homemade Sweet Pickles

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