Spicy Sweet Refrigerator Pickles

Meet my new favorite pickle. Spicy Sweet Refrigerator pickles can be made in just minutes.  Slice, brine, refrigerate, EAT!  The result is a crunchy and flavorful bread and butter pickles kicked up a notch with a Habanero pepper.

I can’t tell you how many jars of these pickles I have made in the past few months.  They have become our new favorite condiment.  Not only are they amazing on a burger they brighten up the flavor of almost everything!  Want to brighten up the flavor of a Buddha Bowl or add a kick to tacos?  A few spicy-sweet pickles chopped will do the trick.

How To Make Perfect Pickles Every Time 

• Measure and chop all ingredients. 
• Be sure to sprinkle salt on the cucumbers and allow to sit for at least an hour to release extra water.  Rinse the salt from the cucumbers and drain on layers of paper towels or a clean dishcloth.  This will ensure the pickles will be crisp and crunchy.
• Have a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid ready to fill.  
• The brine consists of vinegar, sugar, salt, and turmeric.  This brine will give your pickles their “punch” of flavor.  Heat the vinegar enough to dissolve the sugar and salt.  Turmeric will give the pickles their beautiful bright color.  If you like a sweeter pickle, more sugar can be added but I like less sweet.  It’s a personal preference.  
• Layer cucumbers, onions, and habanero in a jar then add the mustard seeds.  The layering effect is beautiful and will distribute flavors to the pickles evenly.  Feel free to omit the Habanero if spice isn’t your thing.  
• Refrigerate overnight for flavors to blend.  Pickles will last for a good month in the fridge…I think.  I have never had a jar last longer than a few days. 

What cucumbers work best for refrigerator pickles?

I generally use what I have in my refrigerator.  My favorite cucumbers to use are Persian or English cucumbers or any pickle with fewer seeds.  Pickling cucumbers, of course, will be just as good.  I have four different varieties growing in my garden I can’t wait to try them all.  

Let’s Make Spicy Sweet Refrigerator Pickles

1. Gather and measure ingredients.  
2.  Slice cucumbers into 1/4-inch slices, slice 1/2 of sweet white onion.
3.  Place onion and cucumber slices in a large colander.  Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Kosher salt.  Place the colander in a large bowl to catch the liquid that will drain out.  Refrigerate for at least an hour. 
4.  Rinse cucumbers and onions in water to remove the salt.

1. Lay the cucumbers and onion slices on a clean dry dishcloth.  Let drain for a good hour.  
2.  Meanwhile, combine both kinds of vinegar, brown and white sugar,  kosher salt, mustard seeds, and ground turmeric to make the brine mixture.  Heat and stir the mixture just until sugars dissolve.   Remove from the heat.  Cool slightly.
3.  Carefully slice habanero pepper.  Discard seeds and cut out the small veins from the inside.  
4.  Layer, drained cucumber and onion slices, with habanero and mustard seeds.
5.  Pour warm vinegar over the top of cucumbers.  
6.  Fill jar leaving 1/2-inch headspace.
7.  Place a tight lid on the jar and give the jar a shake to distribute ingredients evenly.  Refrigerate overnight.  The longer the pickles have been refrigerated the stronger the flavor will be.  

Big Batch Pickles

Because refrigerator pickles will last for at least a month in the fridge It’s easy to double or triple a batch of pickles so they are always on hand.  I would not recommend bottling pickles with this recipe.  

3.74 from 60 votes

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Spicy Sweet Refrigerator Pickles

Spicy Sweet Refrigerator pickles are so quick and easy to make, no canning necessary.  Slice, brine, keep in the fridge overnight, EAT!  The result are crunchy and flavorful bread and butter refrigerator pickles kicked up a notch with a spicy Habanero pepper.

Course Appetizer, Condiment

Cuisine American

Keyword bread and butter pickles, quick pickles, refrigerator pickles, Spicy Sweet Refrigerator Pickles

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Servings 1 quart

Calories 68 kcal

Author Janet Barton

Ingredients

• 4 cups pickling cucumbers, Persian cucumbers, or English cucumbers cut into 1/4-slices
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1/2 sweet white onion thinly sliced

Brine

• 1 Habenero pepper remove seeds and veins
• 1 1/2 cups white vinegar
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tsp mustard seeds
• 2 tsp turmeric

Instructions

1. Place cucumber and onion slices in a large colander and place in a large bowl. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Refrigerate for an hour. The cucumbers will release a lot of water during this time.

2. Rinse the cucumbers and onions very well under cold water. Place in a single layer on a few layers of paper towels or clean dish towel. Allow drying for 30 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, remove stem, seeds, and veins from the habanero pepper. Set aside.

4. In a medium-size saucepan heat white and apple cider vinegar. Add white and brown sugar, salt, mustard seeds, and turmeric. Stir until sugars have dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

5. In a quart jar layer cucumber and onion mixture with slices of habanero pepper. Gently pour vinegar mixture over the top. Place a lid on the jar and refrigerate overnight. Pickles will keep for 3-4 weeks...I think. The pickles are generally eaten within a few days in our home.

Recipe Notes

 

• Jalapeno, Serano, or Scotch Bonnet pepper may be used in place of Habanero.
• Habanero pepper can be omitted completely if you don't like spicy pickles.  
• I wouldn't recommend using this recipe for canning for bottling pickles.  
• Pickles are best if refrigerated overnight and served cold.
• These pickles are best served on EVERYTHING!  Especially burgers.  

How To Make Perfect Pickles Every Time 

• Measure and chop all ingredients. 
• Be sure to sprinkle salt on the cucumbers and allow to sit for at least an hour to release extra water.  Rinse the salt from the cucumbers and drain on layers of paper towels or a clean dishcloth.  This will ensure the pickles will be crisp and crunchy.
• Have a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid ready to fill.  
• The brine consists of vinegar, sugar, salt, and turmeric.  This brine will give your pickles their "punch" of flavor.  Heat the vinegar enough to dissolve the sugar and salt.  Turmeric will give the pickles their beautiful bright color.  If you like a sweeter pickle, more sugar can be added but I like less sweet.  It's a personal preference.  
• Layer cucumbers, onions, and habanero in a jar then add the mustard seeds.  The layering effect is beautiful and will distribute flavors to the pickles evenly.  Feel free to omit the Habanero if spice isn't your thing.  
• Refrigerate overnight for flavors to blend.  Pickles will last for a good month in the fridge...I think.  I have never had a jar last longer than a few days.

What cucumbers work best for refrigerator pickles?

I generally use what I have in my refrigerator.  My favorite cucumbers to use are Persian or English cucumbers or any pickle with fewer seeds.  Pickling cucumbers, of course, will be just as good.  I have four different varieties growing in my garden I can't wait to try them all.  

 

Nutrition Facts

Spicy Sweet Refrigerator Pickles

Amount Per Serving

Calories 68 Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Saturated Fat 1g5%

Sodium 391mg16%

Potassium 80mg2%

Carbohydrates 15g5%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 14g16%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 50IU1%

Vitamin C 2.8mg3%

Calcium 13mg1%

Iron 0.3mg2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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