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    Home » Recipes » Auntie's Favorites

    Modified: Nov 30, 2021 · Published: Jul 19, 2020 by Melinda O'Malley Keckler · This post may contain affiliate links · this blog generates income from ads.

    Refrigerator Pickles

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Refrigerator Pickles are cool, crisp and refreshing. This recipe brings out the refreshing flavor in your cucumbers and offers a tangy and crunchy side dish for your favorite summertime meal, or any meal.

    Sliced cucumbers and onions in a jar on a table.
    No canning required, but this recipe stores well in a glass canning jar in the fridge.

    Choosing Cucumbers

    I've made this recipe using fresh cucumbers from the Farmer's Market, from the grocery store and from the garden. While any variety of cucumber will taste delicious, I've had the best results using the English Cucumber. I think it has a slightly more crunchy texture and a thinner peel.

    Sliced cucumbers and onion
    Be sure to slice the cucumbers and onions really thin.

    Peel, or no Peel

    Peeling the cucumbers is an option for Refrigerator Pickles. This recipe is delicious either way. Sometimes the cucumber peels can be slightly bitter, especially if they are not garden-fresh.

    When it comes to choosing whether the include that bright green edge on the cucumber slices, a lot depends on how recently the cucumbers were harvested and the variety of cucumbers you choose.

    The peels on English cucumbers are usually very light-tasting and delicious. When I use that variety of cucumber I always leave the peel on.

    Refrigerator pickle ingredients in a bowl.
    When I see this picture, I think of how rewarding it is to buy freshly harvested ingredients and to serve them right away.

    Quick Slicing

    One of the easiest ways to get cucumbers sliced quickly and evenly is with this handy cabbage shredder. Honestly, it's good for so much more than just cabbage. I love how it works with cucumbers and onions in this recipe. Just be sure to use a protective glove so you don't take any risks as your hand gets closer to the blades.

    Refrigerator pickles in a bowl with a spoon and leafy garnish.
    While the brine you create for the cucumbers and onions is delicious enough to drink - practically. Be sure to serve your pickles with a slotted spoon.

    Auntie's Favorite

    This recipe for Refrigerator Pickles was inspired by one shared by my Aunt Susie. She gave it to me in 2001 during a summertime visit to Boise. She lived in eastern Washington and loved how fast this side dish could come together with fresh cucumbers from the garden. It's the perfect way to use a big supply of cucumbers any time. Thank you, Aunt Susie!

    Looking for another way to use fresh produce? Try my No Peel Apple Cake. It's a wonderful way to use fresh apples and another all-time favorite among aunties.

    Sliced cucumbers and onions in a jar on a table.
    No canning is required, but this recipe stores well in a glass canning jar in the fridge.

    Recipe

    Sliced cucumbers and onion

    Refrigerator Pickles

    Crisp and refreshing, this recipe brings out the fresh flavor in cucumbers and creates a tangy and crunchy side dish. Delicious!
    5 from 108 votes
    Print Rate Pin Recipe
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    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 225kcal
    Author: Melinda O'Malley Keckler

    Ingredients 

    • 5 cups thinly sliced cucumbers - about 3 English cucumbers or 4-5 regular cucumbers - peeled or not - your choice
    • 1 large onion - thinly sliced - I like to use sweet onions
    • 1 ½ cups sugar
    • 1 cup white vinegar
    • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
    • 1 ½ teaspoons canning salt - not table salt
    • 1 ½ teaspoons celery seed

    Instructions

    • Thinly slice cucumbers and onion into a large bowl. Toss and set aside.
      Whisk together remaining five ingredients and add to cucumbers/onions.
      Toss lightly so all the cucumbers are mixed with the brine. Cover bowl and refrigerate. You can serve this right away, that's when the "pickles" taste - best but this will keep in the fridge for several weeks.

    Notes

    Any variety of cucumbers will make delicious refrigerator pickles, but I've had the best results using the English Cucumber. It has a more crunchy texture and a thinner peel. Serve this side dish with Sweet Corn Pasta Salad or Easy Edamame Salad for a tasty collection of sides at your next BBQ. 
    Calories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 586mgPotassium: 161mgFiber: 1gSugar: 52gVitamin A: 91IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg

    Please note, the nutrition details are estimated using a food database, so they’re just a rough estimate not an exact science.

    Did you try this recipe? Leave a comment below or @crinkledcookbook on Instagram, snap a photo and tag it #crinkledcookbook

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 108 votes (97 ratings without comment)

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    1. JC says

      June 18, 2024 at 7:12 am

      5 stars
      This was the perfect use of garden cucumbers. Delicious. Will be making these to eat all summer long!

      Reply
      • Melinda O'Malley Keckler says

        June 18, 2024 at 12:20 pm

        Glad to hear it! Thank you for the five star rating.

        Reply
    2. Alexandra says

      June 17, 2024 at 9:23 pm

      5 stars
      Homemade pickles are the best - this recipe is ideal and I won’t be buying store bought again. They also make a lovely edible gift!

      Reply
    3. Juyali says

      June 17, 2024 at 8:33 pm

      5 stars
      Homemade pickles are the best. I love the sweet and sour taste of these. I actually love these on tacos. So good!

      Reply
    4. Amy says

      June 17, 2024 at 4:46 pm

      5 stars
      So easy and absolutely delicious! Left the peel on as I thought it would give it a little extra crunch.

      Reply
      • Melinda O'Malley Keckler says

        June 18, 2024 at 12:21 pm

        I like to leave the peel on too!

        Reply
    5. Oscar says

      June 17, 2024 at 4:36 pm

      5 stars
      I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious these Refrigerator Pickles turned out. They're cool, crisp, and offer a tangy bite that's perfect for summer dining.

      Reply
      • Melinda O'Malley Keckler says

        June 17, 2024 at 4:39 pm

        Thank you Oscar, glad you enjoyed the recipe!

        Reply
    6. Liz says

      July 15, 2022 at 8:38 am

      5 stars
      Oh, my gosh, I never knew making pickles could be so easy! We all loved these!!

      Reply
    7. Nancy Kane says

      February 28, 2022 at 5:18 am

      5 stars
      Love all your recipes. Easy to follow
      easy to make + of course, tasty to eat.
      Keep up the great work.

      Reply
      • Melinda O'Malley Keckler says

        February 28, 2022 at 9:04 pm

        Thank you Nancy! I appreciate your kinds words and am thrilled that you enjoy the recipes you find here in my little corner of the food world.

        Reply
    8. Andrea White says

      September 05, 2021 at 6:29 pm

      5 stars
      I need to make this ASAP! Pickles have been growing on me lately!

      Reply
    9. Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says

      September 04, 2021 at 9:54 pm

      5 stars
      We are growing a ton of cucumbers this year and this is a great recipe to use them in!

      Reply
    10. Luca says

      September 04, 2021 at 12:59 pm

      5 stars
      They are definitely refreshing!

      Reply
    11. Akshita says

      September 04, 2021 at 8:52 am

      5 stars
      I love pickles! Thank you for this easy recipe 🙂

      Reply

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