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Flavorful Sweet and Spicy Bread-and-Butter Refrigerator Pickles Recipe with Easy Turmeric Brine

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A simple and approachable recipe for sweet and spicy bread-and-butter refrigerator pickles with a mellow turmeric undertone, perfect for snacking or topping sandwiches.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium Kirby cucumbers, thinly sliced (about ⅛-inch thickness)
  • 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups (480 ml) white vinegar
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon celery seeds
  • ½ teaspoon red chili flakes (or to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon salt (kosher or pickling salt preferred)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) water

Instructions

  1. Wash and thinly slice 4 medium Kirby cucumbers and 1 small yellow onion to about ⅛-inch thickness. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups white vinegar, 1 cup water, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 tablespoon mustard seeds, 1 teaspoon celery seeds, and ½ teaspoon red chili flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sugar and salt dissolve, about 5 minutes.
  3. Pour the hot brine over the cucumber and onion mixture, stirring gently to coat evenly. Cucumbers will soften slightly.
  4. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the mixture into clean glass jars, distributing mustard and celery seeds evenly. Pour remaining brine over the top, leaving about ½ inch headspace.
  5. Let jars cool to room temperature uncovered, then seal with lids and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before eating.
  6. Enjoy chilled. Pickles keep well for up to 3 weeks refrigerated. Use clean utensils when serving.

Notes

[‘Use pickling salt rather than iodized salt to keep the brine clear.’, ‘Thin, even slices absorb brine better and stay crisp.’, ‘Simmer brine gently; avoid boiling aggressively to preserve vinegar sharpness.’, ‘Fresh mustard and celery seeds improve flavor; toast lightly if desired.’, ‘For extra crunch, soak sliced cucumbers in ice water for 30 minutes before brining (optional).’, ‘Flavors improve after 3-4 days but are good after 24 hours.’, ‘Adjust chili flakes to taste for desired heat level.’, ‘Store pickles in sealed glass jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: bread-and-butter pickles, refrigerator pickles, turmeric brine, sweet and spicy pickles, easy pickles, quick pickles, homemade pickles

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/flavorful-sweet-and-spicy-bread-and-butter-refrigerator-pickles-recipe-with-easy-turmeric-brine/