If you love pickles that are sweet, tangy, and perfectly crunchy, bread and butter pickles are a fantastic homemade treat to try. These pickles are easy to make, require simple ingredients, and add a delightful zing to sandwiches, burgers, or just as a snack. Wondering how to make bread and butter pickles yourself? Let’s dive into a friendly step-by-step guide to crafting these classic pickles right in your kitchen!
What Are Bread and Butter Pickles?
Bread and butter pickles are sweet and tangy cucumber slices pickled with onions and a blend of spices like mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric. The name reportedly comes from the 1920s when a couple traded these pickles for basic staples like bread and butter during tough times. Today, they’re loved for their unique balance of sweetness and spice.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make about two quarts of bread and butter pickles, gather these ingredients:
– 2 to 3 pounds pickling cucumbers (shorter with thinner skin)
– 1/2 sweet onion, thinly sliced
– 1 ½ tablespoons kosher or pickling salt
– 1 cup white sugar
– 1 cup white vinegar
– 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
– 1 ½ teaspoons mustard seeds
– 1/2 teaspoon celery seeds
– 1/4 teaspoon turmeric (optional, for color)
– Optional: garlic cloves and cloves for extra flavor
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Cucumbers and Onions
Wash your cucumbers and slice them into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Thin slices work best for that classic pickle crunch. Peel and thinly slice the onion as well.
2. Salt the Veggies
In a large bowl, toss the cucumber and onion slices with the salt. Let this mixture rest in the refrigerator for about one hour. This step draws out excess moisture, helping the pickles stay crisp.
3. Rinse and Drain
After an hour, rinse the salted cucumbers and onions well under cold water to remove excess salt. Drain them thoroughly.
4. Make the Pickling Brine
In a medium saucepan, combine the white sugar, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves.
5. Pack the Jars
Fill sterilized mason jars with the cucumber and onion slices, packing them tightly but gently.
6. Pour the Hot Brine
Carefully pour the hot brine over the cucumbers in the jars, making sure they are completely submerged. Leave about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top.
7. Seal and Cool
Wipe the rims of the jars clean, seal with lids, and let them cool to room temperature.
8. Refrigerate and Wait
Place the sealed jars in the refrigerator. For the best flavor, let the pickles sit for at least 24 hours before eating, though waiting 4 to 6 weeks will deepen the taste.
Tips for Perfect Bread and Butter Pickles
– Use pickling cucumbers for the best texture-they have fewer seeds and thinner skin.
– Slice cucumbers evenly with a mandolin slicer if you have one, for consistent crunch.
– Adjust sugar to taste if you prefer less sweetness.
– Sterilize jars by washing with hot soapy water, drying, and warming in a 225°F oven for 15 minutes.
– These pickles keep well refrigerated for several months.
Why Make Your Own Bread and Butter Pickles?
Homemade bread and butter pickles taste fresher and you control the ingredients-no preservatives or artificial flavors. Plus, making your own is a fun kitchen project that yields delicious results perfect for gifting or enjoying yourself.
Give this recipe a try and enjoy the sweet, tangy crunch of classic bread and butter pickles anytime!
Sweet, tangy, and irresistibly crunchy-your homemade bread and butter pickles will quickly become a pantry favorite. Happy pickling!