Description
Crisp, zesty Claussen pickles bring German-style fermentation magic to your kitchen, creating a tangy sensation that elevates sandwich and snack experiences. Homemade pickles deliver fresh crunch and robust flavor you will savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 lbs pickling cucumbers (Kirby cucumbers)
Brine Components:
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup white vinegar (5% acidity)
- 1/4 cup kosher salt (coarse, non-iodized)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Herbs and Spices:
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2 tablespoons dill seed
- 1 tablespoon mustard seed
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Optional Jar Additions:
- 12 sprigs fresh dill
- 1 clove garlic, halved
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard seed
- Few slices of onion
Instructions
- Craft a zesty brine by combining water, vinegar, salt, sugar, crushed garlic, dill seed, mustard seed, black peppercorns, and optional red pepper flakes in a medium saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat, stirring until salt and sugar completely dissolve. Remove from heat and allow brine to cool thoroughly to room temperature.
- Thoroughly cleanse cucumbers under cool running water. Delicately trim approximately 1/8 inch from the blossom end to prevent softening. Cut cucumbers into preferred shapes – whole, halved, spears, or slices.
- Sanitize glass jars and lids through boiling or dishwasher’s high-temperature cycle. Layer cucumbers tightly within sterilized containers, interspersing with fresh dill, garlic cloves, mustard seed, and onion slices for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Carefully pour cooled brine over packed cucumbers, maintaining 1/2 inch headspace. Ensure complete cucumber submersion by using a clean weight like a smaller jar or water-filled ziplock bag to keep ingredients fully immersed.
- Securely seal jars with tight-fitting lids. Refrigerate for 24-72 hours, allowing flavors to meld and intensify. Extended refrigeration develops deeper, more robust pickle characteristics.
- After desired flavor development, pickles are ready for consumption. Store in refrigerator, where they will maintain crisp texture and tangy profile for several weeks to months when properly preserved.
Notes
- Slice cucumbers uniformly to ensure even flavor absorption and consistent texture throughout the pickle batch.
- Use fresh, crisp cucumbers with minimal blemishes for the best crunch and homemade pickle quality.
- Consider reducing salt content for low-sodium diets by replacing half the salt with potassium chloride salt substitute.
- Experiment with spice variations like adding turmeric, coriander seeds, or replacing red pepper flakes with jalapeño slices for unique flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Pickling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 12 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 1463 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg