Garlic Dill Pickles Recipe - Weekend at the Cottage (2024)

This is the best GARLIC DILL PICKLES RECIPE, you’ll see!

This GARLIC DILL PICKLES RECIPE yields a favourite treat, and we expect this recipe to become one of your most treasured. That said, don’t forget to BOOKMARK this page and save the PIN attached to this story to one of your favourite PINTEREST boards.

This recipe, in particular, has made the rounds amongst friends and loved ones and been the subject of many a conversation. The pickles deliver such memorable flavours while holding their shape and stellar appearance. Yes, they are crispy and crunchy too! Prepare to feel really proud of the accomplishment of making something so delicious!

Here’s what to expect and consider when preparing them:

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CANNING

The process of canning vegetables is always a rewarding endeavour. We suggest you headHEREto read our post about canning. You can also click HERE to watch the video of us making another fabulous recipe, our . Oh, and this pic, just to give you a sense – for sure buy the BIG JARS!

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CUCUMBERS

We’ve said it before – every great pickle recipe begins with great cucumbers. We used #2 Kirby’s for this recipe and they’re perfect. Kirby cucumbers are known for their crunchiness and the number 2 refers to their size, about 2-inches in length. Since this pickle recipe yields whole pickles as opposed to slices or spears, we think this the ideal size.

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Look for #2 Kirby’s at a local farmstand or farmer’s market, but you may even find them occasionally in a larger supermarket during the late summer pickling season.

Regarding quantity, we purchased a half-bushel of cucumbers and ended up with 15, 1-quart jars. That represents some serious good eats for a bit of hard work.

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SIZING

This was the first time that Carol and I made DILL PICKLES together. She was busy working on preparing the dill weed and garlic while I washed the cucumbers (BTW, it’s essential that your cucumbers are thoroughly washed before you begin the recipe). She was particularly interested in why I took the extra time to organize the cucumbers by size.

Although I’d purchased #2s, the cucumbers still varied a bit in size. Sorting them into tiny, medium and full size helps when you go to stuff them into the sterilized jars. Stuffing the jars is kind of like a pickling puzzle where you need the perfect sized cucumber to fit somewhere. Having them sized in advance helps.

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THE BRINE

We always suggest using pickling vinegar instead of white vinegar for canning recipes; the higher percentage of acetic acid is essential for shelf-stable canning. We also used pickling salt for this recipe and I did take my sister Dana’s advice and added just a smidge of sugar – old family secret, apparently! The sugar doesn’t make the brine sweet, but I do think it takes some of the edge off the vinegar.

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Please note, you’ll need twice the amount of pickling brine for this recipe to fill all of the jars. Instead of doubling the recipe, we did it in two sessions to prevent too much water from evaporating during the ladling process.

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DILL, GARLIC AND PEPPERCORNS

Using conventionally grown fresh dill found in the herb section of a supermarket won’t cut it. Look for dill weed at the market when you purchase your cucumbers. It’s important to work with the head of the dill plant, and also add in a few bits of the dill stalk for an added flavour boost.

I’ve learned not to be bashful when adding the sliced garlic to the jars, they are garlic dills after all. The peppercorns also add a subtle spiciness to the pickles.

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BIRD’S EYE CHILI PEPPERS

On a whim, I decided to add whole bird’s eye chili peppers to some of the jars, and in retrospect, I’m glad I did. It’s always fascinating to experiment and try new things whenever we’re testing a recipe.

I was thinking the added heat of the peppers may create an entirely new taste sensation and was I ever right. The pickles made with the peppers are awesome and I suggest you follow my lead and add a pepper into a few of your jars. Let us know what you think in the comment section at the bottom of this post.

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THE WAIT

Here’s the tough part – as all expert home canners will tell you, wait three weeks before you open a jar and try the fruits of your pickling labour. It gives the pickles a chance to mature in their salty brine but also gives you a chance to work on your list of who’ll you’ll be giving a jar of your very own GARLIC DILL PICKLES too.

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Enjoy these pickles alongside our PEACHES AND CREAM PANINI, ourCLASSIC DAGWOOD SANDWICH or our SIRLOIN ROAST. They’ll be perfect with each and all.

GARLIC DILL PICKLES RECIPE– it’s crunch time for this beloved condiment!

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Ingredients

  • ½ bushel #2 Kirby cucumbers (about 24 pounds), washed and sorted by size
  • 3 garlic bulbs, peeled and sliced
  • 1 cup whole black peppercorns
  • 3 bunches dill weed, heads and stalks trimmed
  • 7 bird’s eye chili peppers (optional)
  • For the pickling brine:
  • 12 cups water
  • 4 cups pickling vinegar
  • ¾ cup pickling salt
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Directions

  1. Sterilize jars and equipment: Place jar lids and rings into a medium-sized bowl and cover with boiling water. Let stand for at least 10 minutes. Sterilize 16, 1-quart canning jars either in a dishwasher run full cycle without soap or by washing them, then letting them simmering in boiling water for 10 minutes. Sterilize canning funnel and ladle in the same manner.
  2. Make the brine: Place all of the ingredients for the brine into a medium-sized stainless steel pot and stir until the sugar and salt dissolve. Bring the brine to a boil. (see note in story regarding the quantity of brine required)
  3. Fill the jars: Place one head from the dill weed and few bits of the stalk into each sterilized jar. Add about a tablespoon of garlic and 8 to 10 peppercorns. Add the peppers if using.
  4. Pack cucumbers tightly, positioned upright, into the jars. Stuff the jars to ½ inch from the top.
  5. Canning - here are my guidelines to seal properly:
  6. Place sterilized funnel on top of the first jar. Carefully ladle the hot brine into the jar leaving ¼-inch of space at the top. Wipe with a wet paper towel to remove any ingredients from the rim of the jar. Tap jars gently on work surface to remove air bubbles.
  7. Place sterilized lid on top using magnet wand or tongs. Place ring on top and turn just until finger tight. Repeat process until all jars are filled.
  8. Transfer filled jars to boiling water and process for 10 minutes. Carefully remove jars from pot while the colour of the cucumbers is still slightly mottled. Place onto work surface and leave undisturbed for 24 hours. Check that the centre area of each lid has compressed or, popped. Wipe jars clean and store in a cool, dark and dry place, or gift to someone special.

Related by Recipe Type

  • Side Dishes

Related by Ingredient

  • Bird's Eye Pepper
  • Black Peppercorns
  • Dill Weed
  • Garlic
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Kirby Cucumbers
  • Pickling Salt
  • Pickling Vinegar
  • Water

For More Great Ideas Visit:

Garlic Dill Pickles Recipe - Weekend at the Cottage (2024)

FAQs

Garlic Dill Pickles Recipe - Weekend at the Cottage? ›

Use Calcium Chloride

Sea salt is sodium chloride. In this case, we're talking about calcium chloride! These little granules, which dilute quickly in water, are THE trick to crunchy pickles, as they prevent the enzymes from softening the pickle during lacto-fermentation.

What is the secret to crisp dill pickles? ›

Use Calcium Chloride

Sea salt is sodium chloride. In this case, we're talking about calcium chloride! These little granules, which dilute quickly in water, are THE trick to crunchy pickles, as they prevent the enzymes from softening the pickle during lacto-fermentation.

What keeps cucumbers crisp when pickling? ›

The best way to keep your pickles crisp is by taking an extra moment to remove the blossom from the end of the cucumber. By adding this extra cut, you have a crisper pickle. Other ways to ensure a crisp pickle is by adding grape leaves to your jar. I tend to cut off both ends of the cucumber as I quickly process them.

Why are my homemade dill pickles not crunchy? ›

Crispness can also be lost if cucumbers are stored longer than 24 hours in the refrigerator from harvest to pickling. Thoroughly wash each cucumber, especially around the stem area, where soil can be trapped. Any remaining soil may be a source of bacteria and can cause a soft pickle.

Should I soak cucumbers before making dill pickles? ›

For a quick and easy way to help ensure crisp pickles: soak cucumbers in ice water for 4 to 5 hours before pickling. This is a safer method for making crisp pickles. Using lime, or calcium hydroxide, in solution for soaking cucumbers changes the amount of acid in the cucumber tissue.

How to make your homemade pickles crunchy? ›

Adding fresh grape leaves is my secret to crisp pickles. Add one or two leaves to your crock if making old-fashioned fermented pickles or 1 leaf per quart jar when processing .

What makes pickles taste better? ›

Known for its rich, syrupy consistency and sweet-tart taste, balsamic vinegar can elevate your pickles to new gourmet heights. Balsamic vinegar is very strong, so use it rarely or mix it with another vinegar to dilute the taste and get a more balanced flavor. Rice vinegar is another option worth exploring.

Why do you soak cucumbers in ice water before pickling? ›

Better yet, grow them in the garden and ferment the day you pick them! Tasting the stem end can give you a sense of whether the pickle will be bitter since that's the end where bitterness concentrates. Soaking your cucumbers in ice water 30-60 minutes before fermenting seems to help keep crispness.

Why do you soak cucumbers in salt water before making pickles? ›

This salt treatment draws water out of the cucumbers and flavors them, so it's critically important. After layering or mixing in plenty of sea salt, I cover the salted cukes with ice cubes and a tea towel and forget about them for a few hours.

Does salting cucumbers make them crunchier? ›

No matter how you dress them, salting and draining sliced cucumbers maximizes crunchy texture.

Why do pickle jars not say pickle? ›

According to most major companies like Vlasic, Claussen and Mt. Olive, it comes down to effective usage of space on the label. Carolyn Goldberger, the brand manager from Vlasic, says, “We use the limited label space to clearly communicate the form and flavor inside each jar.

Why do you put alum in pickles? ›

Alum will increase firmness of fermented pickles when used at levels up to ¼ teaspoon per pint, but greater amounts will decrease firmness.

What makes a pickle more sour? ›

To make pickles more sour, you can add more salt to the brine. Many foods can be pickled. Commonly pickled foods include cabbage (called "sauerkraut") and pigs' feet. What we all know as a pickle, though, is a pickled cucumber.

Why do you boil water for pickles? ›

There are two big reasons to boil the water in this scenario: Hot water dissolves salt, sugar and other things better than cold water. Sterilization. We sometimes want to make sure that there is nothing alive that shouldn't be.

Should I salt my cucumbers before pickling? ›

If you like crispy pickles, salt brine them beforehand for at least 12 hours. Then when you make your fresh garden pickling cucumbers into pickles, you add 1/4 tsp of pickling crisp. That's it, the recipe doesn't matter.

Can I make dill pickles without processing in water bath? ›

I have used an old German dill pickle receipe forever that doesn't use a water bath. I make brine and boil, pour over prepared jars, put on heated lids and leave them to seal on their own. These are yummy and SO crisp (because of no water bath).

Does alum help keep pickles crisp? ›

If good quality ingredients are used and up-to-date methods are followed, firming agents are not needed. Alum has little crispness affect on quick-process pickles. Alum will increase firmness of fermented pickles when used at levels up to ¼ teaspoon per pint, but greater amounts will decrease firmness.

What are the crispiest dill pickle chips? ›

Metro Deli® Kosher Dill Pickle Chips are manufactured, shipped and preserved cold to deliver the crispiest pickle crunch.

Does calcium chloride make pickles crisp? ›

Calcium chloride is a salt used to preserve the texture of food. It is often used in canning, but it can also be used in fermentation! For example, it is a powerful weapon for keeping pickles crunchy, whether they are canned or fermented.

What leaves make pickles crunchy? ›

Add Tannins

One of the secrets to getting crunchy pickles is to add leaves, such as grape, oak, raspberry, blackberry, or cherry leaves that have tannins in them. You might be thinking, But how do I know which leaves have tannins?

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