Description
These Homemade Claussen Pickles offer a crisp, tangy, and flavorful pickle experience reminiscent of classic deli-style pickles. Made with fresh cucumbers and a zesty vinegar-based brine infused with garlic, mustard seeds, dill, and optional spice, they are quick to prepare and develop their full deliciousness after just one day in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
Scale
Pickles
- 4-5 medium cucumbers, sliced into spears or chips (pickling cucumbers preferred)
Brine
- 1 ½ cups distilled white vinegar
- 1 ½ cups water
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 3-4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 tbsp mustard seeds
- 1 tbsp dill seeds (or 2-3 sprigs of fresh dill)
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a spicy kick)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cucumbers: Wash the cucumbers thoroughly, trimming off the ends. Slice them into spears or chips according to your preference to ensure easy packing and even pickling.
- Prepare the Brine: Combine the distilled white vinegar, water, kosher salt, and sugar in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-high and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved.
- Flavor the Pickles: Remove the saucepan from heat once the brine is boiling and the salts and sugars are fully dissolved. Add smashed garlic cloves, mustard seeds, dill seeds (or fresh dill), black peppercorns, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir gently to mix the flavors into the hot brine.
- Pack the Jars: Place the sliced cucumbers tightly but gently into clean glass jars. If using fresh dill instead of dill seeds, add a sprig or two to each jar for enhanced flavor.
- Pour the Brine: Carefully pour the hot brine over the cucumbers, ensuring all pieces are fully submerged in liquid. Press down with a clean utensil if necessary to keep cucumbers submerged and avoid air exposure.
- Cool and Refrigerate: Allow the jars to cool to room temperature. Seal them with lids and place them in the refrigerator. Let the pickles sit chilled for at least 24 hours, though 2-3 days is ideal for maximum flavor development.
- Enjoy: After the resting period, enjoy your Homemade Claussen Pickles fresh and crisp. They will remain good in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Use pickling cucumbers for best texture and flavor.
- Fresh dill can be substituted for dill seeds but add after removing from heat to retain flavor.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to make the pickles milder or spicier.
- Ensure cucumbers remain fully submerged in brine to prevent spoilage.
- Pickles improve in flavor if left to marinate longer, up to 7 days.
- Store in the refrigerator only; these are quick refrigerator pickles, not canned.
