Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles Recipe + VIDEO (2024)

Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles– This classic Sweet Pickle Recipe can be finished in the fridge or made using a traditional canning method. Either way, it’s easy to make the tangiest, sweetest, and slightly spicy “bread and butter”pickleswith just the right crunch at home!

Pickling Brine

There’s nothing that brings perky pep to the table quite like a perfectlycrunchy and tangypickle! They are great for snacking, topping burgers and sandwiches, and adding bold flavor and snappy texture to almost any meal.

We have already shared the wonder of making pickles from scratch using a tried-and-true refrigerator method. TheseBest Homemade Refrigerator Picklesare bright, slightly sour, and bursting with the taste of fresh dill. And while we love our classic dill pickle recipe, we thought it was time to try our hand at another southern favorite: sweet pickles (made in the fridge).

Nailed it!

ThisRefrigeratorBread and Butter Pickles recipemakes the sweetest sliced pickles, with a little bit of spice. You won’t believe how easy it is to prepare in just a few simple steps. In a snap, you’ll be enjoying delightfully crispy pickle slices whenever you like.

The Best Bread and Butter Pickles Recipe

I love this recipe because it is botha) classicandb) customizable– a duo that is hard to pull off well in a dish. But this is it!

Traditionally, Bread and Butter Sweet Pickles include asmidgeof spiciness to help balance the sweetness. We’ve included the spice blend we love for the most heat… However, you canadjust the spiceto your preferences, including adding more cinnamon sticks or cloves for a deeper flavor if desired.

The beauty of this Refrigerator Bread and Butter pickles recipe is that it canalso be used for canning! As long as the pickling liquid is boiling-hot when it goes in the jars, there’s no need to cook the pickles beforehand. So you can use it as either a quick refrigerator pickles recipe or as sweet pickles for canning.

So many options!

Ingredients For Sweet Pickles

Our easy sweet pickle recipe features only wholesome ingredients that are much healthier than the additives you find in many store-bought jars of Bread and Butter Pickles. For this tangy, slightly spicy, andwonderfully sweetpickle recipe you need:

• Pickling cucumbers–sliced with a mandolin (more on this below)
• Sweet onion–peeled and sliced
• Seasonings–kosher salt, whole mustard seeds, crushed red pepper, celery seeds, cinnamon sticks, or whole cloves
• Granulated sugar–to bring the sweetness to this homemade sweet pickles recipe
• Apple cider vinegar–adds a delightfully tangy taste
• White vinegar–essential for pickling and doesn’t overpower the other vibrant flavors

Feel free toadd more or lessred pepper, cinnamon sticks and/or cloves to taste.

I also like to add a pinch ofturmeric powderfor that lovely classic yellowish pickle color. But you can leave it out if you want.

How to Make Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles

This recipe will walk you through the few simple steps necessary to prepare the pickles. You can then finish them in the refrigeratororuse this as a sweet pickle canning recipe.

What’s the difference between canning or refrigerating Bread and Butter Pickles?Pickles that are preserved using the traditional water bath canning method will keep shelf-stable for up to 2 years, unopened. On the other hand, refrigerator pickles need to be kept in the fridge (obviously) and need to be eaten within 2 months. So it really just depends on where and how long you’d like to keep them stored.

Step #1 – Prepare the Pickles and Onion

The first step to make the BEST sweet pickles is to slice them into that iconicthin bread and butter-style disk.

Take out a mandolin and a medium or large bowl. Use the mandolin to slice the pickles into even 1/8 inch rounds.

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Then quarter and slice the onion into short segments.

Place the cucumber slices and onions in the bowl, and toss with kosher salt. This will help pull out (or drain) any excess moisture from the cucumbers. Set them in the fridge torest for 1-3 hours.

Step #2 – Prepare the Bread and Butter Pickling Liquid

Meanwhile, set out for clean pint jars. Divide the mustard seeds, crushed red pepper, celery seeds, and cinnamon sticks between thefour jars.

Once the cucumber slices I’ve had plenty of time to rest, release their juices, and absorb the salt, rinse them in cold water to remove the excess salt. Divide the cucumber slices and onions between the four jars and pack them well.

Set a small/medium saucepan over high heat. Add the sugar, apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, and turmeric. Bring to a boil.

Get the Complete (Printable) Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles Recipe + VIDEO Below. Enjoy!

Step #3 – Fill and Store the Pickle Jars

Once boiling, carefully ladle the hot pickling liquid into the jars with the cucumber mixture, dividing it evenly. If some of the cucumbers are still sticking out of the top of the jar, uncovered, add a tablespoon or two ofhotwater to the jars, almost to the rim with an inch of headspace left.

Screw the lids on tight and shake the pickle jars.

If planning to make refrigerator pickles, let the pickles sit at room temperature for one hour, then move them to the refrigerator.

However, if you plan tocan the picklesyou should do so immediately and follow theproper canning procedureat this point.

Either way, you prepare them, you should let the picklesrest at least 48 hoursbefore eating. The texture and flavor will improve over the next week.

How to Store Homemade Pickles

Refrigerator pickles keep well for about2 months. But note that they do tend to lose their crunchiness the longer they sit.

Pickles that have been canned can last1-2 yearsat room temperature if sealed properly.

Sweet Pickles Serving Suggestions

Enjoy sweet and tangy homemade pickles right out of the jar, pair them with bites of cheddar cheese, or include them on a complete charcuterie board orantipasto platter.

Serve them with perfectSmoked Brisketas well!

They are perfect for making Cuban-pressed sandwiches and are a classic topping forhamburgers. Or go great on top or the side of nearly any sandwich, likeReubensandsliders.

Chop Bread and Butter Pickles and use the sweet pickle juice to make other recipes like tuna salad, ourBest Easy Remoulade Sauce,andHomemade Tartar Sauce.

Looking for Perfect (And Easy!) Pickling and Preserving Recipes?

• Giardiniera Pickled Vegetables
• How to Make Pickled Eggs (Spicy Beet Pickled Eggs)
• Quick Pickled Red Onions
• Hella Jalapeno Jelly Recipe
• Best Easy Freezer Jam
• Homemade Pickle (Dill Pickles with Red Pepper Flakes)

Check out the printable recipe card below for the nutritional information including calories, sodium, and fiber percentages.