Name: Refrigerator Pickles
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
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 1/2 cups sugar; 1 cup white vinegar; 3 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1 1/2 teaspoons canning salt - not table salt; 1 1/2 teaspoons celery seed

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 making a choice on 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 cucumber you choose.

The peels on English cucumbers are usually very light tasting and delicious. When I use the 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 from 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.

Be sure to give a star rating to the recipes you make from the Crinkled Cookbook. I always love hearing from you. Sharing is great too! Use the buttons after the recipe to text it with just one click or send it to family and friends on Pinterest and Facebook. Enjoy.