Spicy Homemade Pickles
Personal Spicy Pickle Experience
There’s something about playing mad scientist in the kitchen, tossing together flavours like a chaotic wizard. One day, I was hooked after munching on some spicy garlic dill pickles at a buddy’s barbecue. Those little spicy wonders had the kick and crunch to send my taste buds on a wild ride. So, I had to try whipping up my spicy pickle recipe. My early attempts had only a whisper of heat, but with some spice magic, I finally nailed down a version that’s got my friends begging for jars at every gathering.
Ingredients and Preparation
Your pickles are only as good as what you put in them, right? So here’s my go-to spicy pickle formula. Feel free to tweak it until it’s just suitable for your taste adventure:
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of cucumbers, sliced however you like
- 2 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups white vinegar
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons kosher salt
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced
- 6-8 fresh Thai chilli peppers, sliced
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
- 1 tablespoon dill seed
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- As much fresh dill as you fancy
Table of Ingredients:
Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|
Sliced cucumbers | 4 cups |
Water | 2 cups |
White vinegar | 1 1/2 cups |
Apple cider vinegar | 1 cup |
Kosher salt | 3 tablespoons |
Garlic (sliced) | 4 cloves |
Thai chili peppers | 6-8 |
Black peppercorns | 1 tablespoon |
Mustard seeds | 1 tablespoon |
Dill seed | 1 tablespoon |
Sugar | 2 tablespoons |
Fresh dill sprigs | Sprinkled in |
Preparation:
- Cucumber Prep: Pick out your freshest, firmest cucumbers. Chop them into rounds or spears, whatever tickles your fancy. Here are a few tips about cucumber selection.
- Brine Time: In a saucepan, toss water, vinegar, salt, peppercorns, mustard seeds, dill seeds, and sugar. Bring to a frantic boil until everything dissolves into a smooth solution.
- Stuff the Jars: In sterilized jars, alternate between cucumber slices, garlic, chilli peppers, and fresh dill. Pour the piping hot brine until the cucumbers drown. If you fancy twiddling with flavours, here’s more on Brine and Flavor Adjustments.
- Seal ‘n Store: Cap those jars nice and tight. Let them cool, then stash them in the fridge. Let the concoction marinate for at least two days before devouring. Your spicy treasures should be kept in the refrigerator for about 6 months, given you store them well.
Want to play with the spiciness? Spice up or tone down with more or less Thai chilli peppers, or swap out for jalapeños as I saw in a rad spicy pickle relish recipe that got me curious enough to experiment with my own.
Dare to start your pickle quest, and munch these spirited snacks with whatever meal suits your mood. They’re perfect alongside a simple chicken salad chick recipe or even something wild like a healthy breakfast curry recipe. Here’s to getting your pickle party on!
Spicy Pickle Recipes
When my kitchen’s swamped with cucumbers, I love getting creative with spicy pickles. Let’s shake up your taste buds with some lip-smacking recipes: Spicy Pickle Relish, Killer Spicy Garlic Dill Pickles, and my personal fave, Small Batch Spicy Pickle Chips.
Spicy Pickle Relish Options
You know that end-of-summer cucumber avalanche? That’s when I whip up my Spicy Pickle Relish. This stuff is magic on burgers, dogs, and brats, giving every bite that zing I crave.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cucumbers, shredded to bits
- 1 large onion, shredded
- 4-5 jalapeños, chopped (go wild if you dare)
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons mustard seeds
- 2 tablespoons celery seeds
- A tablespoon salt
Preparation:
- Mix cucumbers, onion, jalapeños, and red pepper in a big bowl.
- Stir in vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and salt.
- Get it boiling, then let it chill on low for 10 mins.
- Pack into clean jars and give them a 10-minute hot water bath canning session.
Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|
Shredded Cucumbers | 4 cups |
Onion | 1 large |
Jalapeños | 4-5 |
Red Bell Pepper | 1 |
Vinegar | 2 cups |
Sugar | 2 cups |
Want to crank up the heat? Toss in more jalapeños! If using field cucumbers, ditch the seeds. For loads more relish ideas, visit Picnic Life Foodie.
Killer Spicy Garlic Dill Pickles
Are you feeling brave with pickles? Killer Spicy Garlic Dill Pickles got your back, thanks to fiery Thai chilli peppers. Here’s my take:
Ingredients:
- 6-7 small cucumbers, sliced long
- 4 spicy Thai chilis, sliced
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed
- Fresh dill sprigs
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- A tablespoon sugar
- A tablespoon of kosher salt
Preparation:
- Stuff cucumbers, chillies, garlic, and dill into jars.
- Boil water, vinegar, sugar, and salt in a pot.
- Pour that hot brine over packed jars, leaving breathing room.
- Seal jars and give them a 15-minute water bath canner treatment.
Want more kick? Toss in more Thai chilis. Tweak to your heart’s content and spice up your life with tips from FoodieCrush.
Small Batch Spicy Pickle Chips
Have a few stray cucumbers rolling around? I quickly make a batch of Spicy Pickle Chips. They’re great for snacks or as a nap companion to sandwiches.
Ingredients:
- 3-4 cucumbers, sliced into rounds
- 1 cup each of vinegar and water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Preparation:
- Load cucumber slices into a jar.
- Mix a pot with vinegar, water, sugar, salt, flakes, and garlic. Boil it up.
- Drench cucumber rounds with the brine.
- Let them cool, then chill in the fridge for 24 hours before gobbling.
Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|
Pickling Cucumbers | 3-4 pieces |
Vinegar | 1 cup |
Water | 1 cup |
Sugar | 2 tablespoons |
Kosher Salt | 2 tablespoons |
Red Pepper Flakes | 1 tablespoon |
Garlic | 2 cloves, minced |
These little guys can be made in a day and will keep for up to a month in the fridge. Check out our sourdough bagels and Mexican candy shot recipes for other fantastic recipes. Happy pickling, you all!
Making Spicy Pickles
Cucumber Selection Tips
Let me spill the beans on cucumbers because choosing the right ones can make or break your pickles’ crunch and taste. I’ve learned a thing or two after many spicy pickle escapades:
- Firm and Thin-Skinned Cucumbers: I always grab firm, thin-skinned pickles for those quick fridge pickles. These guys soak up the brine quickly, giving you crunchy pickles fast. If you’re impatient like me, these cucumbers are just the ticket.
- Kirby Cucumbers: Got a long-term canning project? Kirby cucumbers got your back. They’re sturdy champs, keeping that pleasant crunch even after sleeping in your pantry for months.
- Field Cucumbers: When whipping up Spicy Pickle Relish, field cucumbers are a good choice. However, the seeds can be a bit annoying, so I scoop them out for a smoother relish (Picnic Life Foodie).
Cucumber Type | Perfect For |
---|---|
Thin-Skinned Cucumbers | Quick or Refrigerator Pickles |
Kirby Cucumbers | Canning Pickles |
Field Cucumbers | Spicy Pickle Relish |
Brine and Flavor Adjustments
At this stage, the brine is where the true enchantment of pickling takes place. After countless attempts, I’ve cracked a few tricks to up your pickle game with some serious flavour and spice oomph.
- Basic Brine Recipe: My trusty brine mixes water, vinegar, salt, and sugar. You can tweak the ratios as you like, depending on whether you’re in the mood for sweet or tangy.
- Adding Heat: For that spicy kick, I go wild with crushed red pepper flakes, whole peppercorns, and fresh jalapeños. Give your pickles a day to marinate for maximum spice explosion (Snappy Gourmet). If you’re up for it, wait 24 hours – patience rewards with spice!
- Seasonings and Herbs: Fresh dill, garlic cloves, and mustard seeds give you a flavour party in a jar. The garlic and dill are non-negotiable for my Spicy Garlic Dill Pickles.
Ingredient | Use |
---|---|
Vinegar | Acidic Backbone |
Salt | Flavor Booster & Preservative |
Sugar | Sweet Balance |
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes | Spice Factor |
Fresh Jalapeños | Extra Heat |
Garlic Cloves | Flavour Enhancer |
Dill | Fresh Aroma |
Dive into my go-to brine and other spicy pickle recipes for some tasty experiments that will tickle your taste buds. Have fun pickle-making!
Enjoying Spicy Pickles
Pairing Suggestions
Who doesn’t love a good pickle kick? Tossing spicy pickles into meals really amps up the flavour game. Whether you’re loving on spicy garlic dill pickles or mixing them up with a tangy, spicy pickle relish, these combos are sure to jazz up your eats:
- Burgers and Hot Dogs: Add spicy pickle relish to your burgers, hot dogs, or brats. It’s like a party in your mouth—perfect for grill season (Picnic Life Foodie).
- Sandwiches and Wraps: Slice spicy pickles into your sandwiches and wraps. They complement the flavours of turkey, ham, and even veggie wraps.
- Charcuterie Boards: Spicy pickles rock on charcuterie boards. They dance around the flavours of cheeses, cured meats, and nuts, adding that wow factor.
- Indian Meals: Indian pickles, the lovely lahsun-ka-achaar (garlic pickle), hook up ideally with Indian bread like roti and parathas. These pickles throw a wild mix of salty, spicy, and sweet notes at your taste buds, giving dishes a cool twist (Food Next Door).
Want to jazz up more dishes with your pickles? Try our spins on baked chicken cutlet recipes, hamburger green beans, and tomato soup mashed potatoes.
Storage and Shelf Life
Keep your spicy pickles tasting like a flavour bomb by storing them just right:
- Refrigerator Pickles: Whip up some fridge pickles for a quick pickle fix. They’re suitable for 2-4 weeks in the fridge in a sealed jar.
- Canned Pickles: Canning is the way to keep your pickle stash fresh. Keep them safe in a cool, dark place, and they’ll last up to a year. Ensure the jars are sealed tight to keep away the spoilage gremlins.
Here’s your cheat sheet for pickle storage:
Pickle Type | Storage Method | Shelf Life |
---|---|---|
Refrigerator Pickles | Fridge | 2-4 weeks |
Canned Pickles | Pantry (cool, dark place) | Up to 1 year |
Do you want to delve into pickle preservation or dabble with other condiment creations? Check out more from us at Sub in a Tub recipe and blue jam garlic aioli recipe.
I like to peek at my pickles now and then to make sure they’re holding steady. Look out for any funky changes in colour, smell, or feel. Follow these tips, and your spicy pickles will stay fresher longer. Happy pickle munching!
Spicy Pickle Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups Sliced cucumbers
- 2 cups Water
- ½ cups White vinegar
- 1 cup Apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp Kosher salt
- 4 Garlic (sliced)
- 6-8 Thai chili peppers
- 1 tbsp Black peppercorns
- 1 tbsp Mustard seeds
- 1 tbsp Dill seed
- 2 tbsp Sugar
- Fresh dill sprigs
Instructions
- Cucumber Prep: Pick out your freshest, firmest cucumbers. Chop ’em into rounds or spears, whatever tickles your fancy. If you want cucumber tips, here’s a little something on Cucumber Selection Tips.
- Brine Time: Toss water, vinegars, salt, peppercorns, mustard seeds, dill seed, and sugar into a saucepan. Bring it all to a frantic boil until everything dissolves into a smooth solution.
- Stuff the Jars: In sterilized jars, alternate between cucumber slices, garlic, chili peppers, and fresh dill. Pour the piping hot brine until cucumbers drown. If you fancy twiddling with flavors, here’s more on Brine and Flavor Adjustments.
- Seal ‘n Store: Cap those jars nice and tight. Let ’em cool, then stash in the fridge. Let the concoction marinate for at least two days before devouring. Your spicy treasures should keep in the fridge for about 6 months, given you store them well.