Easy Bread and Butter Pickles Recipe

Have you ever found yourself with an abundance of fresh cucumbers from your garden or the local farmers' market, wondering what to do with them? Making bread and butter pickles is not only a great way to preserve those crisp veggies but also an opportunity to create a delightful condiment that adds a zesty kick to sandwiches, burgers, and salads. This recipe for homemade bread and butter pickles is straightforward, requiring no special skills, and yields a deliciously tangy treat that's perfect for snacking or as a side. Let's dive into how you can make your own batch of these sweet yet tart pickles at home.

Ingredients You'll Need

• 15 medium-sized cucumbers
• 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
• 3 cups of white vinegar
• 3 cups of granulated sugar
• 1⁄2 cup of kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons of mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon of celery seeds
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric
• 1⁄2 teaspoon of ground black pepper

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Bread and Butter Pickles

Prepare the Cucumbers

1. Wash the cucumbers thoroughly to remove any dirt or residues.
2. Trim the ends and slice them uniformly into ¹⁄₄ inch rounds. Using a mandoline slicer can help ensure even cuts, which is crucial for uniform pickling.

Prepare the Brine

1. In a large pot, combine vinegar, sugar, salt, mustard seeds, celery seeds, turmeric, and pepper.
2. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to ensure the sugar and salt dissolve completely.

💡 Note: Turmeric not only adds color but also has health benefits like reducing inflammation.

Soak the Cucumbers

1. In a separate large bowl, layer the cucumber slices with the thinly sliced onions.
2. Pour boiling water over the cucumbers and onions, letting them steep for about 5-10 minutes. This step is known as ‘blanching’ and helps remove some of the water content, allowing the cucumbers to better absorb the pickling solution.
3. After blanching, drain the water and pack the cucumbers and onions into sterilized jars. Leave about ¹⁄₂ inch of headspace at the top of each jar.

Can the Pickles

1. Pour the hot brine over the cucumbers in the jars, ensuring they are completely covered. Make sure to leave the same ¹⁄₂ inch headspace.
2. Use a chopstick or similar tool to remove any air bubbles from the jars.
3. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to ensure a good seal.
4. Apply the lids and screw on the bands until they are fingertip tight.

💡 Note: Properly sealing the jars is essential to prevent bacterial growth and spoilage.

Process the Jars

1. Place the jars into a canner or a large pot filled with boiling water. Ensure that water covers the jars by at least 1-2 inches.
2. Process in boiling water for 10 minutes for pint jars and 15 minutes for quart jars (adjust time for altitude if necessary).
3. After processing, remove jars from the water and let them cool on a towel or a cooling rack for at least 24 hours.

💡 Note: Processing jars helps to kill off any potential bacteria, making the pickles shelf-stable.

Storing and Serving

• Once cooled, check the seals. If the lid has not indented, the jar did not seal correctly. Either store these in the fridge to consume within a month or reprocess with new lids.
• Properly sealed jars can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
• Serve your bread and butter pickles with your favorite dishes or simply enjoy them straight from the jar for a tasty, refreshing snack.

The beauty of bread and butter pickles lies in their versatility. They pair wonderfully with grilled meats, liven up a grilled cheese sandwich, or can even be used to make a unique salsa. The balance of sweetness from the sugar and tartness from the vinegar, along with the crunch of the cucumber, creates a memorable flavor profile that you can customize by adjusting the ingredients to your taste.

To summarize, making bread and butter pickles at home is a rewarding experience that allows you to preserve the summer’s bounty in a delicious form. From preparing the cucumbers to canning the finished product, each step is straightforward and filled with the opportunity to tweak the recipe to your liking. With minimal equipment and ingredients commonly found in the kitchen, you’re only a few hours away from enjoying these tangy delights. So why not give it a try and add a bit of homemade magic to your pantry?

Can I make bread and butter pickles without a canner?

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Yes, you can make refrigerator pickles, which do not require canning. Prepare the recipe as outlined, but instead of processing the jars in boiling water, simply store the filled jars in the refrigerator. They will keep for about a month.

How long do these pickles need to sit before they are ready to eat?

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While you can start enjoying your pickles immediately, allowing them to sit for at least a week will enhance the flavors as the cucumbers soak up the brine.

Can I adjust the sweetness or tartness of the pickles?

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Absolutely! Adjust the amount of sugar or vinegar to suit your taste. More sugar for sweeter pickles, or more vinegar for a tangier result.