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Easy Refrigerator Pickles for Beginners

A simple beginner-friendly refrigerator pickle recipe made with cucumbers, vinegar, garlic, dill, and basic pickling spices. These homemade pickles are crisp, tangy, and perfect for learning how to make pickles without water bath canning.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Resting Time 1 day
Total Time 1 day 20 minutes
Servings: 16
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Refrigerator Pickles
  • 1 pound small cucumbers sliced into spears or chips
  • 1 cup 5% white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon pickling salt
  • 2 garlic cloves peeled
  • 2 teaspoons dill seed or a few fresh dill sprigs
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seed
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes optional

Equipment

  • 2 wide-mouth pint mason jars
  • Small saucepan
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Clean towel
  • Canning funnel, optional

Method
 

  1. Wash the cucumbers under cool running water. Trim a small slice from the blossom end of each cucumber to help keep the pickles crisp.
  2. Cut the cucumbers into spears, chips, or slices, depending on how you want to use them.
  3. Place the garlic, dill, mustard seed, peppercorns, and optional red pepper flakes into clean pint jars.
  4. Pack the cucumber slices or spears into the jars, leaving a little space at the top.
  5. In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, and pickling salt. Bring to a simmer and stir until the salt dissolves.
  6. Carefully pour the hot brine over the cucumbers until they are fully covered.
  7. Wipe the jar rims, add the lids, let the jars cool slightly, then refrigerate.
  8. Let the pickles rest in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before tasting. The flavor improves after 2 to 3 days.

Notes

These are refrigerator pickles, not shelf-stable canned pickles. Store them in the refrigerator and enjoy them within a few weeks for best quality. For pantry-stable pickles, use a tested water bath canning recipe and follow safe canning instructions.