Easy Refrigerator Pickles Recipe with a Few Secret Extras

If your cucumber plants are suddenly producing more cucumbers than you know what to do with, refrigerator pickles are an easy way to use them up. You get that crisp, tangy pickle flavor without going through the full canning process. For this recipe, we're starting with a convenient Mrs. Wages pickle mix and adding a few simple ingredients to each jar for extra flavor and crunch. 

Start with Your Mrs. Wages Pickle Mix

Mrs. Wages makes the base simple. Choose the pickle flavor you like and follow the preparation directions on the package. For a classic dill pickle, use Mrs. Wages Dill Pickle Mix. If you prefer a sweeter bite, try Mrs. Wages Sweet Pickle Mix.

It's important to use the vinegar, water, sugar, and any other ingredients in the proportions specified on the package for the particular mix you're using. If you're making refrigerator pickles, choose a Mrs. Wages mix specifically labeled for refrigerator pickles and follow its refrigeration directions. How to Make Your Refrigerator Pickles 1. Start with fresh cucumbers.

• 

• 

Choose firm, fresh pickling cucumbers. Wash them well and drain. Before preparing them, trim off a thin slice from the blossom end and discard it. The blossom end can contain enzymes that contribute to bitterness and softening. Cut the cucumbers according to the directions for your Mrs. Wages mix. Some refrigerator pickle varieties allow whole cucumbers, spears, or slices, while the Sweet Pickles Refrigerator Pickle Mix calls for thinly sliced cucumbers. 2. Sterilize ball canning jars in boiling hot water. Place the hot jars on a folded kitchen towel on the counter. Then, place the peppercorns bay or grape leaf and garlic to the bottom of the jars. Slice your cucumbers either lengthwise or in chips and pack tightly into the jars. Keep the jars warm. I’ve personally been using these mason jars for pickling and preserving food for years, and I highly recommend them. I have both the 16 oz (pint-size) and 32 oz (quart-size) jars, and they’ve worked wonderfully for my homemade pickles. Try These 16 oz Canning Jars Try These 32 oz Canning Jars 

3. Prepare the Mrs. Wages mixture Prepare your chosen Mrs. Wages pickle mix according to the directions on the package. Don't change the vinegar, water, sugar, or mix proportions when switching between varieties. The dill and sweet mixes have different formulations and directions.

4. Add my pickle add-ins 

Add these ingredients to each jar:

• 1 sprig of fresh dill

• 2 garlic cloves

• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns

• 1 grape leaf or bay leaf (keeps pickles crispy)

• ¼ teaspoon Ball Pickle Crisp Granules for quart jars (⅛ teaspoon for pint jars)

• 1-2 slices of hot peppers, such as jalapenos if you like extra heat (optional)
  

The fresh dill adds a bright, herby note, while garlic and black peppercorns give the pickles more savory flavor and a little extra spice. A grape leaf is a traditional addition to some pickle recipes and may help maintain firmness. If you're using a bay leaf instead, it adds another layer of flavor. The Ball Pickle Crisp Granules are optional, but highly recommended if you want extra crispness. 5. Add the prepared brine Don't forget the vinegar. Vinegar is an important part of the pickling process, so check Mrs. Wages directions for the mix you're using. For best results, use vinegar labeled 5% acidity. You can use pickling and canning vinegar or regular white vinegar, as long as the bottle specifies 5% acidity.

Once your Mrs. Wages pickling mixture has been prepared, including the vinegar called for in the package directions, carefully pour the mixture over the cucumbers in each jar. Make sure the cucumbers are covered with the pickling liquid and leave the amount of headspace specified in Mrs. Wages directions.

• 

• 

• 

6. Refrigerate Secure the jars and refrigerate them. Refrigerator pickle mixes are designed to be stored in the refrigerator rather than processed as shelf-stable canned pickles. Refrigerator pickle varieties can be ready to eat after 24 hours, keeping them chilled before serving also helps develop the flavor and texture. Mrs. Wages Dill Pickle Mix Get That Here

Mrs. Wages Sweet Pickle Mix Get That Here Ball Pickle Crisp Granules Get That Here Pickling & Canning Vinegar, 5% Acidity Get That Here Try These 16 oz Canning Jars Try These 32 oz Canning Jars Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.