MSG Free Bread and Butter Pickles
Homemade bread and butter pickles are one of those fridge staples that make everything better — sandwiches, burgers, cheese boards, or honestly just eaten straight from the jar. The brine here is a simple, from-scratch blend of white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and warm spices like mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric, so you know exactly what's going into every bite. Store-bought pickles can be a minefield of hidden additives and flavor enhancers, but this recipe keeps things completely clean with nothing but real, recognizable ingredients. The salting step is key — letting the cucumbers and onion sit for an hour draws out excess moisture and gives you that satisfying crunch once the brine goes in. Once the hot brine is poured over and the jars cool down, the fridge does the rest of the work. That gorgeous golden hue from the turmeric is your visual cue that something genuinely delicious is waiting for you.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 1 ½ lbs english cucumbers (about 2 medium), sliced ¼-inch thick
- 1 small yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
For the brine
- 1 cup white wine vinegar
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- ½ tsp celery seeds
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the sliced cucumbers and onion in a large bowl. Sprinkle with the kosher salt, toss to coat, and let stand for 1 hour at room temperature until the cucumbers have released their liquid and softened slightly.
- 2
Drain the cucumbers and onion in a colander, rinse briefly under cold water, and pat dry with paper towels. Pack them tightly into two clean pint-sized mason jars.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!