How to Make Easy Homemade Refrigerator Pickles: A Fun and Delicious DIY Project

Ready to try your hand at making these easy refrigerator pickles? Download the printable recipe and enjoy the delicious results of your DIY kitchen project!

Making homemade pickles is a rewarding and delicious way to enjoy your garden’s bounty or your favorite purchased vegetables all year round. With our easy-to-follow recipe for refrigerator pickles, you can create a variety of tangy, crunchy treats that are perfect for snacking, adding to sandwiches, or sharing with friends and family. Best of all, these pickles don’t require any complicated canning process and stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to two weeks!

This activity is brought to you in partnership with KidsGardening, an organization dedicated to encouraging children and families to engage with gardening through fun, educational projects. Together, we hope to inspire a love for fresh, homemade foods and the joys of gardening.

Why Make Your Own Refrigerator Pickles?

Refrigerator pickles are a fantastic way to preserve vegetables quickly and easily. Unlike traditional canning, which can be time-consuming and requires special equipment, refrigerator pickles are straightforward to make and don’t require any special skills. Whether you’re using homegrown veggies or those from your local farmer’s market, this recipe lets you enjoy the fresh flavors of summer all year long.

Get Creative with Your Pickles

One of the best parts about making your own refrigerator pickles is that you can get creative with flavors. Try adding garlic, fresh herbs like dill, or even a little honey for a sweet twist. Each batch can be a new culinary experiment, allowing you to find the perfect combination that suits your taste.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• 3 cups apple cider vinegar (or distilled white vinegar)
• 3 cups water
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt (regular iodized salt works too, though it might slightly discolor the pickles)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons (or more) pickling spices (You can buy a pre-made mix or make your own with spices like allspice, dill seed, mustard seed, and more)
• 3 to 4 pint-sized canning jars with tight-fitting lids
• Non-reactive saucepan (stainless steel or glass; avoid aluminum)
• Vegetables: Almost any vegetable can be pickled! Try cooked beets, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, radishes, cucumbers, onions, or peppers.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your refrigerator pickles:

1. Prepare Your Vegetables: Start by washing your vegetables thoroughly. Then, cut them into slices, chunks, or spears, making sure they’ll fit comfortably into your canning jars.
2. Fill the Jars: Place the cut vegetables into your clean, sturdy jars. Since you’ll be pouring hot liquid over them, you need jars that can handle the heat without breaking.
3. Make the Brine: In a large non-reactive saucepan, combine the water, vinegar, salt, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for a minute or two, stirring to ensure the sugar and salt dissolve completely. Add your pickling spices and simmer for a few more minutes before turning off the heat.
4. Pour the Brine: Carefully pour the hot brine over the vegetables in the jars, ensuring they are completely submerged.
5. Cool and Refrigerate: Let the jars cool to room temperature. Once cool, cover them and place them in the refrigerator for a few days to allow the flavors to develop.

 

After a few days of marinating in the brine, your pickles will be ready to enjoy! These homemade refrigerator pickles are perfect for adding a zesty crunch to your meals or giving as a thoughtful, homemade gift. Just be sure to eat them within two weeks for the best flavor and texture.

 

Looking for another fun activity for the kids ? Check out our Garden Scavenger Hunt activity