Bread and Butter Pickles are my favorite of all the pickles you can make. Crisp and sweet, they are not too sour and have a nice flavor that goes with just about anything.
No surprise that they are amongst the most popular pickles out there. They have been around a very long time and have been gracing many a table for many, many years!
This recipe which I am sharing today is for a refrigerator version, so there is no real cooking involved. A simple brine is made and poured over cucumbers and onions, along with a few seeds, in jars. The jars are then left in the refrigerator to "age" for a few weeks.
The end result is a pickle that everyone is going to love! This is a small batch recipe, making only two pint jars. But to be honest, you don't want to have any more than that cluttering up your refrigerator! Small batch recipes suit me well because there is really only myself to please these days!
When my children were growing up I made tons of pickles every year. And they all got eaten. My children's favorites were always the dill pickles, but mine were always these! They are sweeter than dills and go well with just about anything.
It was said that they got their name from back during the depression days when people could only afford pickle and butter sandwiches for their lunch. It has also been said that people traded these pickles for essentials such as bread and butter in yet another theory.
Whatever the origin of the name is, one thing is for certain and that is that these are really delicious pickles!
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE REFRIGERATOR BREAD AND BUTTER PICKLES
Only a few basic ingredients, not including the jars. I have used canning jars, but in reality you can even do these in plastic tubs. No specialized equipment needed.
- 1 pound (450g) pickling cucumbers (about 4 small ones), blossom and stem ends removed and cut into spears or slices
- 1/2 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup (240ml) white vinegar
- 1/2 cup (120ml) cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup (120ml) filtered water
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons fine sea salt or pickling salt
- 1 tablespoon whole yellow mustard seeds
- 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns (optional)
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
Pickling cucumbers are cucumbers which are specifically grown for use in making pickles. Their thinner skins, crunchy texture and smaller seeds make them ideal for pickling.
That is not to say that you cannot use regular cucumbers. You can use any cucumber if it is not over-ripe. I have even heard of people making these pickles with small zucchinis.
I never use the black peppercorns because I don't like them in my bread and butter pickles. I like my bread and butter pickles with just the mustard and celery seeds.
I have seen people add all kinds of things to these pickles however. Hot peppers or red chili flakes seem to be very popular. I like them just as they are however.
I use my mandolin to slice them into 1/4 inch coins. I also use the mandolin to slice the onions. It makes for better uniformity in the sizes. Some people like to crinkle cut them. By all means do so if that is what you enjoy and if you have a crinkle cutter!
HOW TO MAKE REFRIGERATOR BREAD AND BUTTER PICKLES
Nothing could be easier. No real cooking involved. Nothing but patience is needed while you wait for the brine to do its job and then they get better tasting with every week that follows!
Make sure your jars are scrupulously clean. Wash them in hot soapy water, rinse well and dry with a clean dish towel.You can cut your cucumbers into 1/4 inch coins (crosswise) or into spears (lengthwise). If cutting into spears you will get about 8 spears per cucumber. I cut into coins using a mandolin.Pack the cucumbers and onions slices into the jars, using onion slices to keep the cucumbers separated.
Top with the mustard and celery seeds, and peppercorns (if using).Combine both vinegars, the sugar, salt and water in a saucepan. Heat over medium high heat until the sugar and salt have completely dissolved and the mixture is hot.Pour the hot mixture over the cucumber mixture in the jars to cover completely. I fill them to the top. If there isn't enough you can add a bit of boiling water to make sure. You want to make sure the cucumbers are completely covered.Screw on the lids and place into the refrigerator. Leave for at least two weeks before using. These will keep for three to four months in the refrigerator.
As I said, the hardest part of making these is waiting for the brine to do its job. It is the same with any pickle I guess. The longer they sit the better. These are lovely and sweet and crisp.
I enjoyed some on this day with an air fryer grilled cheese sandwich, made on bread machine white sandwich bread. Oh boy but this was a delicious lunch.
To make a grilled cheese in the air fryer. Just butter your slices of bread and put them together with sliced processed cheese, butter side out.
Pop into your air fryer basket and fry at 370*F/185*C for 8 minutes, flipping the sandwich over halfway through the cook time. Delicious and crisp with perfectly melted cheese!
This is the season for pickling. If you are a person who loves do make pickles and relishes you might also enjoy these recipes:
GREEN TOMATO CHOW - The perfect recipe to use up some of the green tomatoes in the garden. This was my MIL's recipe and my family just loved it. I love this sweet green tomato chow better than any other kinds I have tried. Its perfectly delicious!
MILLION DOLLAR RELISH - Another small batch recipe, this tasty relish goes with just about anything. Nice and sweet, its is wonderful on hotdogs and hamburgers!
Refrigerator Bread & Butter Pickles
Yield: 2 pint jarsAuthor: Marie RaynerCrisp and sweet, these are my favorite pickles. This is a small batch recipe.Ingredients
- 1 pound (450g) pickling cucumbers (about 4 small ones), blossom and stem ends removed and cut into spears or slices
- 1/2 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup (240ml) white vinegar
- 1/2 cup (120ml) cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup (120ml) filtered water
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons fine sea salt or pickling salt
- 1 tablespoon whole yellow mustard seeds
- 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns (optional)
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
Instructions
- Make sure your jars are scrupulously clean. Wash them in hot soapy water, rinse well and dry with a clean dish towel.
- You can cut your cucumbers into 1/4 inch coins (crosswise) or into spears (lengthwise). If cutting into spears you will get about 8 spears per cucumber. I cut into coins using a mandolin.
- Pack the cucumbers and onions slices into the jars, using onion slices to keep the cucumbers separated.
- Top with the mustard and celery seeds, and peppercorns (if using).
- Combine both vinegars, the sugar, salt and water in a saucepan. Heat over medium high heat until the sugar and salt have completely dissolved and the mixture is hot.
- Pour the hot mixture over the cucumber mixture in the jars to cover completely. I fill them to the top. If there isn't enough you can add a bit of boiling water to make sure. You want to make sure the cucumbers are completely covered.
- Screw on the lids and place into the refrigerator. Leave for at least two weeks before using.
- These will keep for three to four months in the refrigerator.
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