Bread and Butter Pickles Recipes
Bread and butter pickles are a nostalgic favorite, offering the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and slightly salty flavors. Unlike dill pickles, which are more savory, bread and butter pickles shine with a touch of sweetness that makes them ideal for sandwiches, burgers, or snacking straight from the jar. Whether you're a traditionalist or looking to spice things up, making your own batch at home is simple and rewarding.
In this guide, you'll learn how to make three flavorful versions of bread and butter pickles:
The Classic Bread and Butter Pickles
Spicy Bread and Butter Pickles
Sweet Apple Cider Vinegar Bread and Butter Pickles
Let’s jump right in and explore each delicious variation.
1. Classic Bread and Butter Pickles
This traditional version is crisp, sweet, and tangy — perfect for beginners or purists who love that old-fashioned flavor.
Ingredients:
4 cups cucumbers (thinly sliced)
1 cup onion (thinly sliced)
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 ½ cups white vinegar
1 cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
Instructions:
Prep the cucumbers and onions
Combine cucumbers and onions in a large bowl. Sprinkle with kosher salt and toss well. Cover with ice cubes and let sit for 1.5 to 2 hours. This helps them stay crisp.
Drain and rinse
After the resting time, drain and rinse the cucumber-onion mixture to remove excess salt.
Make the brine
In a medium saucepan, combine vinegar, sugar, turmeric, celery seed, and mustard seeds. Heat over medium until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to simmer.
Pack and pour
Add the cucumber-onion mix to the hot brine. Simmer for 1–2 minutes. Then ladle into sterilized jars, leaving ½ inch headspace.
Seal and cool
Wipe rims, apply lids, and let jars cool. Refrigerate and let the flavors develop for at least 24 hours before tasting.
Flavor Notes:
The classic version offers that signature bread and butter pickle flavor — sweet with just the right zing. They’re perfect on grilled cheese sandwiches or served alongside BBQ.
2. Spicy Bread and Butter Pickles
If you enjoy a little kick in your condiments, this spicy twist will light up your taste buds while still honoring the sweet-and-sour backbone.
Ingredients:
4 cups cucumbers (thinly sliced)
1 cup onion (thinly sliced)
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 ½ cups white vinegar
1 cup sugar
½ teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 small jalapeño, sliced (optional for extra heat)
Instructions:
Salt soak
Place cucumbers and onions in a bowl with salt and cover with ice. Let sit for 2 hours.
Rinse and drain
Drain the cucumbers and rinse to reduce saltiness.
Spicy brine
In a saucepan, combine vinegar, sugar, turmeric, celery seed, mustard seeds, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a simmer.
Heat the pickles
Stir in the cucumbers, onions, and jalapeño slices. Simmer for a couple of minutes to let the brine infuse.
Jar and chill
Pack into jars, seal, and refrigerate. Allow 1–2 days for the flavors to intensify.
Flavor Notes:
The heat from the jalapeño and red pepper flakes contrasts beautifully with the sweetness. They’re fantastic with pulled pork, spicy burgers, or charcuterie boards.
3. Sweet Apple Cider Vinegar Bread and Butter Pickles
This variation uses apple cider vinegar to introduce a mellow, fruity acidity that enhances the natural sweetness of the pickles.
Ingredients:
4 cups cucumbers (thinly sliced)
1 cup onion (thinly sliced)
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 ½ cups apple cider vinegar (with “the mother” if preferred)
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup white sugar
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
½ teaspoon celery seed
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
Optional: 1 cinnamon stick (for a unique twist)
Instructions:
Crisp the cucumbers
Toss cucumbers and onions with salt and ice. Rest for 1.5 hours, then drain and rinse.
Simmer the cider brine
In a saucepan, combine apple cider vinegar, sugars, mustard seeds, celery seed, and allspice. Add cinnamon stick if using. Simmer until sugars dissolve.
Infuse the vegetables
Add the cucumber mixture to the brine and simmer for 2 minutes.
Fill and seal
Remove cinnamon stick (if used), pack pickles into jars, and refrigerate.
Flavor Notes:
These pickles are sweet, tangy, and slightly spiced. The apple cider vinegar lends a more rounded acidity, and the allspice and brown sugar deepen the flavor. Ideal for Thanksgiving leftovers or gourmet grilled sandwiches.
Tips for Pickling Success
Whether you choose classic, spicy, or sweet cider pickles, these tips will help ensure crunchy, flavorful results every time:
1. Use firm, fresh cucumbers
Pickling cucumbers (Kirby cucumbers) are ideal due to their smaller size and firm texture. Avoid soft or overly mature cucumbers.
2. Slice evenly
Use a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife to ensure all pieces are of equal thickness. This helps them pickle evenly.
3. Sterilize your jars
Even for refrigerator pickles, clean jars help avoid spoilage. Wash jars in hot soapy water and rinse well or run them through the dishwasher.
4. Let them rest before eating
While quick pickles are edible in a few hours, they taste best after 24–48 hours of soaking in the brine.
5. Label your jars
Especially if you make multiple types, labeling helps you track what’s spicy, sweet, or classic — and when they were made.
Bonus: Can You Can Them?
Absolutely! While the above methods are for refrigerator pickles, you can use a water bath canning method to make shelf-stable jars. Just follow a proper canning procedure:
Use sterilized jars.
Fill while brine is hot.
Leave ½ inch headspace.
Process jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
This allows you to enjoy your pickles for up to a year unopened and safely stored.
Homemade bread and butter pickles are simple, satisfying, and incredibly versatile. Whether you stick with the classic or experiment with spice and sweet cider twists, each version offers its own charm.
Further Reading
3 Sisters Planting & Square Foot Gardening
https://www.amazon.com/Sisters-Planting-Gardening-Beginners-Planters-ebook/dp/B0F2TQQH1R/
Vintage Dollhouses
https://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Dollhouses-Collectables-Montego-Publishing-ebook/dp/B0F2TRBK2Q/
Growing & Using Lavender for Pain Relief
https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Lavender-Relaxation-Stimulation-Digestion-ebook/dp/B0D3QT5WRL/
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