Pork Free Classic Dill Pickles

Total time24 hr 25 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time5 min

4.7

(23)

There is something deeply satisfying about making your own pickles from scratch, and this brine-forward recipe delivers that perfect balance of tang, crunch, and herbaceous dill flavor. Trimming the blossom end of each cucumber is a small but smart move that keeps the texture snappy rather than soft — the kind of detail that separates a great homemade pickle from a disappointing one. The brine comes together quickly on the stovetop with vinegar, kosher salt, a touch of sugar, and water, then gets poured hot over tightly packed jars loaded with garlic, fresh dill, mustard seeds, and peppercorns. Optional grape or horseradish leaves are a classic trick for maintaining that satisfying crunch all the way through the jar. Since everything here is built from straightforward pantry staples and fresh produce, there are no hidden additives or ambiguous processed ingredients to second-guess — just clean, simple pickling. After 48 hours in the fridge, you have bright, garlicky spears that are incredible alongside sandwiches, burgers, or honestly just eaten straight from the jar.

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Ingredients

8 servings

2 lbs kirby or persian cucumbers (about 8–10 small cucumbers)
1 ½ cups distilled white vinegar
1 ½ cups water
1 tbsp kosher salt
1 tsp granulated sugar
4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
4 sprigs fresh dill
1 tsp dill seeds
1 tsp black peppercorns
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
½ tsp mustard seeds
2 grape leaves or 2 horseradish leaves (optional)

Instructions

1
Trim about 1/8 inch off the blossom end (the end opposite the stem) of each cucumber — this removes enzymes that can soften the pickles. Cut the cucumbers into spears by halving lengthwise, then halving again, or slice into 1/4-inch rounds.
2
Divide the garlic, fresh dill sprigs, dill seeds, black peppercorns, mustard seeds, and red pepper flakes (if using) evenly between two clean wide-mouth quart mason jars. If using grape or horseradish leaves, place one in each jar against the inside wall.

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