Refrigerator Dill Pickles Recipe (2024)

Make your own fresh and crisp Refrigerator Dill Pickles at home! Made with freshly sliced cucumbers in a simple homemade brine with fresh seasonings like garlic, sliced onion, and fresh dill. No canning required!

Refrigerator Dill Pickles

Refrigerator dill pickles have all the tangy, sour flavor of your favorite pickle, but you can make them easily right at home. They feature freshly sliced cucumbers in a simple homemade brine with fresh seasoning like garlic, sliced onion, and fresh dill.

They're crisp and tart and a little salty too. They're easy to customize when you're making them yourself, and they're easy to make with no canning required!

Refrigerator dill pickles are perfect for a burger topping or a quick snack. They keep for a couple of months, but ours never seem to last that long!

What is the Difference Between Refrigerator Pickles and Canned Pickles?

Canned pickles are shelf stable and can be stored in a pantry until opened. Refrigerator pickles need to be stored in the refrigerator as the proper shelf-stabilizing steps haven't been taken.

The taste for both should be similar. Often refrigerator pickles are crisper as they haven't been pressurized or stored as long as canned pickles.

What Kind of Cucumbers Should I Use for Refrigerator Dill Pickles

Kirby cucumbers, which are small with little bumps, work best. You can also use mini cucumbers, which I like for spears, or even English cucumbers, which are good in a pinch for slices.

How Long Do Homemade Refrigerator Dill Pickles Last?

Refrigerator Pickles can last up to 4 to 6 weeks in refrigerator if properly sealed and stored in the fridge. By the end of the 4 to 6 weeks, the pickles will be less crisp than at the beginning.

The Best Jars for Storing Refrigerator Pickles

Since these pickles are not truly canned, you can use any glass container with a tight fitting lid. I still use Ball mason jars, but you can even used washed and dried spaghetti sauce jars or used pickle jars from the store.

How to Make Your Refrigerator Dill Pickles Crisp

In this recipe, the first step tells you to cut your cucumber and then store in ice water for 8 hours or overnight. This step helps the refrigerator pickles become and stay crisp longer.

Using the freshest possible cucumbers will also help.

Variations on Refrigerator Dill Pickles

These refrigerator pickles are easy to personalize and make your own.

• Bread and butter: Add 1 cup of white or brown sugar and omit the dill to make this recipe a bread and butter pickles version.
• Turmeric: This is a popular ingredient in pickles. It gives them their signature yellow color. Add up to ¼ teaspoon turmeric.
• Spices: Experiment with your favorite spices. Allspice berries, whole cloves, peppercorns and red pepper flakes are tasty options if you need ideas for spices to start with.
• Garlic: To make it more garlicky, add a few extra garlic cloves or mince it more finely to extract more flavor.
• Spicy: To give your refrigerator pickles an extra kick, add some thinly sliced or some red pepper flakes.
• Different vegetables: You can also use this same pickle brining recipe for refrigerator pickling other veggies such as green beans, sliced zucchini, radishes, or carrots.

Serving Suggestions

Our whole family pretty much eats these refrigerator pickles straight out of the jar. But if you have a lot or are looking for some creative serving suggestions, here are some ideas.

• Deviled Eggs - my deviled egg recipe calls for pickle relish. Finely chop these instead for a fresher version.
• Deviled Egg Potato Salad - same idea as the deviled eggs, but add some diced potatoes into the equation
• Burgers and Sandwiches - Add sliced pickles to burgers, chicken sandwiches, tomato sandwiches, pulled pork, or deli meat sandwiches.
• Tuna or Chicken Salad - Add the refrigerator pickles on top as a topper, or chop them finely and mix them right into the salad.
• Charcuterie Boards - These fresh, crisp pickles will be a beautiful element on a snack board.

More Cucumber Recipes You'll Love

• Cucumber Vegetable Pizza - a fresh, cool pizza with a creamy sauce topped with fresh cucumber and vegetables.
• Cucumber Sandwiches - a favorite snack or appetizer that's both easy to make and elegant.
• Dill Pickle Pasta Salad - this creamy pasta salad is loaded to the brim with pickle flavor. Even the noodles and the cheese soak up some of that tangy, dill dressing ultimate pickle taste in each bite.
• Spicy Tuna Roll Bowl - one of my favorite lunches, which includes finely chopped cucumber. Tuna with cucumber and carrots over rice with a spicy mayo sauce.
• 60 Recipes with Fresh Cucumbers - an epic list of all of the best cucumber recipes.

Refrigerator Dill Pickles Video