Dill Pickle Spears
Crisp, tangy, and bursting with fresh dill and garlic flavor. These homemade refrigerator dill pickle spears are incredibly easy to make and are the perfect crunchy snack or sandwich companion.
For 8 servings
5 steps. 5 minutes total.
- 1
Step 1
- a.Prepare the Cucumbers and Jar
- b.Wash a 32-ounce (1-quart) wide-mouth glass jar and its lid thoroughly with hot, soapy water and rinse well.
- c.Wash the cucumbers under cool running water, scrubbing gently to remove any dirt.
- d.Trim about 1/8 inch off both ends of each cucumber. This is especially important for the blossom end, which contains enzymes that can cause mushiness.
- e.Cut the cucumbers lengthwise into quarters to create spears.
- 2
Step 2
- a.Add Aromatics to the Jar
- b.Place the smashed garlic cloves, fresh dill sprigs, black peppercorns, mustard seeds, and optional red pepper flakes into the bottom of the clean jar.
- 3
Step 3
- a.Pack the Cucumbers
- b.Arrange the cucumber spears vertically in the jar, packing them in as tightly as you can without crushing them. A tight pack prevents them from floating.
- 4
Step 4
- a.Prepare and Add the Brine
- b.In a medium saucepan, combine the water, distilled white vinegar, and kosher salt.
- c.Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the salt is completely dissolved. This should take about 3-5 minutes.
- d.Carefully pour the hot brine over the cucumbers in the jar, ensuring they are fully submerged. Leave about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top.
- 5
Step 5
- a.Cool, Seal, and Refrigerate
- b.Gently tap the jar on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles.
- c.Let the jar cool uncovered on the countertop until it reaches room temperature, about 1-2 hours.
- d.Once cool, screw the lid on tightly and transfer the jar to the refrigerator.
- e.For best results, let the pickles cure for at least 48 hours before eating. They will continue to develop flavor and will be good for up to one month.
What to keep in mind.
5 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For the crispiest pickles, use the freshest pickling cucumbers you can find, preferably Kirby cucumbers.
- 2Always use non-iodized salt like kosher or pickling salt. Iodized table salt can make the brine cloudy and affect the pickle's color and flavor.
- 3To ensure extra crunch, you can add a fresh grape leaf, oak leaf, or 1/4 teaspoon of pickle crisp (calcium chloride) to the jar.
- 4Ensure the cucumbers are fully submerged in the brine to prevent spoilage and ensure even pickling.
- 5Don't skip the cooling step before refrigerating. Putting a hot jar directly into the cold fridge can risk thermal shock and cracking the glass.
Adapt it for your goals.
Spicy Dill Pickles
Add one or two whole dried chiles de árbol or a sliced habanero pepper to the jar along with the other aromatics for a significant heat boost.
Garlic Lover's PicklesGarlic Lover's Pickles
Double the amount of garlic to 8 cloves for an intensely garlicky flavor.
Sweet and Tangy PicklesSweet and Tangy Pickles
Add 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar or maple syrup to the brine mixture and dissolve it along with the salt for a bread-and-butter style flavor profile.
Herbaceous PicklesHerbaceous Pickles
Add 1 teaspoon of coriander seeds and a few sprigs of fresh thyme or oregano to the jar for a more complex herbal note.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Extremely Low in Calories
Pickles are a fantastic snack for weight management as they are almost calorie-free, allowing you to enjoy a crunchy, flavorful snack without impacting your daily calorie goals.
Hydrating Snack
Cucumbers are over 95% water, so pickles can contribute to your daily hydration needs while providing a satisfying crunch.
Contains Antioxidants
The fresh dill and garlic used in this recipe provide antioxidants that can help protect your body from damage by free radicals.
May Support Gut Health
The vinegar in the brine can promote a healthy gut environment. While these are not fermented and lack probiotics, vinegar itself has beneficial properties for digestion.
Frequently asked questions
A serving of two pickle spears is very low in calories, typically containing only 5-10 calories, making them an excellent, guilt-free snack.