Small Batch Refrigerator Pickles

4.22 from 47 votes

Small Batch Refrigerator Pickles

If you've got a few cucumbers hanging out in the garden and you just want to avoid the canning process, make these quick and easy Small Batch Refrigerator Pickles! In just 15 minutes you'll have 3 jars of crispy delicious pickles that will last in the fridge for 2 months!

Prep Time10

Cook Time5

Total Time15

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: pint jars

Calories: 67kcal

Author: Meryl Downing

Ingredients

2 cups water
1 cup vinegar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons sugar
3 cloves garlic smashed
15 black peppercorns
3 cucumbers

Instructions

Make the brine by adding the water, vinegar, salt and sugar to a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes, stir once so the salt and sugar dissolve. Then allow to cool for 5 minutes.
While the brine simmers, prepare 3 pint sized jars by adding 5 black peppercorns and 1 smashed garlic clove to each jar. Lay the side of a knife over a clove of garlic and lightly pound it with your fist to smash it. This will help easily remove the peel and the smashed garlic will release its flavor into the pickles.
Wash the cucumbers and discard the ends. Slice and add them to the jars with as many as you can fit. Shake the jars in a twisting motion to get the cucumbers to nestle down to the bottom so you can fit more.
When the brine has cooled a bit, use a ladle and jar funnel if you have one to fill the jars. Fill them up almost to the top, covering the cucumbers. Put the lid on and refrigerate! They are ready to eat and can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 months.

Notes

Make sure to allow the brine to cool for at least 5 minutes. Adding boiling hot brine to your jars can crack them! You want the brine hot, just not super hot!
Cucumbers can be sliced as thin or as thick as you like, or can but cut into spears.
With the amount of brine, you may be able to get 3 or even 4 jars of pickles. If you have extra cucumbers, go ahead and make another jar.
Jars do not need to be canning jars, any jar will do.
Nutrition values are for 1 pint jar.

Nutrition