Alpha Gal Friendly Whole30 Dill Pickles
Crunchy, garlicky, and loaded with fresh dill, these refrigerator pickles are the kind of snack you'll find yourself reaching for straight out of the jar. For anyone navigating alpha-gal syndrome, store-bought pickles can be a surprisingly tricky category — some brands sneak in additives or are processed on shared lines with mammalian-derived ingredients. This recipe keeps things clean and transparent, using apple cider vinegar, sea salt, fresh aromatics, and cucumbers — nothing hidden, nothing questionable. The brine comes together in minutes on the stovetop, and packing the jars is genuinely satisfying. An optional grape leaf or tannin powder helps keep that signature crunch intact, which is a small trick that makes a big difference. After just 48 hours in the fridge, you've got deeply flavored, crisp spears that work as a snack, a burger topper, or a tangy side to just about anything on your plate.
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
- 2 lbs pickling cucumbers (about 8 small)
- 1 ½ cups apple cider vinegar
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 tbsp fine sea salt
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 8 sprigs fresh dill
- 4 large grape leaves or ½ tsp food-grade tannin powder (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Trim 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 if you prefer chips.
- 2
Combine the apple cider vinegar, water, and sea salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the salt is fully dissolved, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and let the brine cool for 5 minutes.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!