Old-Fashioned Bread and Butter Pickles 🥒✨
Sweet, tangy, and perfectly crisp—just like Grandma used to make
Old-Fashioned Bread and Butter Pickles are a timeless pantry staple, known for their balance of sweetness, tang, and warm spice. These golden pickles are perfect for sandwiches, burgers, charcuterie boards, or enjoying straight from the jar. Made using a traditional boiling-water bath method, they’re shelf-stable and develop even better flavor with time.
If you love classic homemade preserves, this recipe is a must-try.
🛒 Ingredients
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8 cups cucumbers, thinly sliced (pickling cucumbers preferred)
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2 onions, thinly sliced
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⅓ cup kosher salt
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Ice, for soaking
For the Pickling Brine:
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2 cups granulated sugar
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2 cups vinegar (white or apple cider)
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1 tablespoon mustard seeds
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1 teaspoon celery seeds
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1 teaspoon ground turmeric
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1 teaspoon ground cloves
🥒 Why You’ll Love These Pickles
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Classic sweet-and-tangy flavor
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Crunchy texture with warm spices
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Perfect for canning and long-term storage
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Made with simple, pantry ingredients
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Improves in flavor as it cures
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Cucumbers and Onions
Slice the cucumbers and onions into thin, even rounds. Place them in a large bowl.
Sprinkle with kosher salt, cover completely with ice, and let sit for 3 hours. This step draws out excess moisture and ensures crisp pickles.
After soaking, drain thoroughly and rinse lightly under cold water. Drain again well.
2️⃣ Make the Pickling Brine
In a large pot, combine:
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Sugar
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Vinegar
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Mustard seeds
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Celery seeds
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Turmeric
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Ground cloves
Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved.
3️⃣ Cook the Pickles
Add the drained cucumber and onion slices to the boiling brine. Reduce heat slightly and simmer for 5 minutes, just until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.