Mama'S Sweet Pickles
Mama's Sweet Pickles are a crispy, sweet and tangy treat, perfect for snacking or adding a flavorful crunch to dishes. With a balanced blend of sugar, vinegar, spices, and the signature crunch of alum, they appeal to those who enjoy homemade preserved foods with a satisfying texture and bold flavor.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place sliced cucumbers in a gallon jar.
- Prepare a brine with 1 cup coarse salt and 11 cups boiling water, pour over cucumbers, cover, and let set for two weeks.
- Pour off the brine, rinse the cucumbers, and cover with cold water to which alum has been added.
- Let set for 24 hours.
- Pour off the water.
- Cover the cucumbers with cold cider vinegar to which pickling spices have been added, and let set for 24 hours.
- Drain off the vinegar but leave the pickling spices inside.
- Add 3 cups sugar and let set for 24 hours.
- Add another 3 cups sugar and let set for 24 hours.
- Add the final 3 cups sugar to create a juice to cover the pickles.
- Leave the pickles in the jar and store on a shelf, taking out as needed.
Tips & Substitutions
For optimal flavor, choose fresh, firm cucumbers and adjust the sugar based on your sweetness preference. If you want a spicier kick, consider adding sliced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the vinegar mixture. To speed up the brining process, you can reduce the resting time by a few days, but traditionalists recommend the full two weeks for authentic taste.
Serving Suggestions
These sweet pickles are a delightful addition to any charcuterie board or as a side to sandwiches and burgers. They pair beautifully with dishes like Dijon Potato Salad or Pigs In A Blanket Apple Pie. Serve them alongside grilled meats for a refreshing contrast or chop them up for a zesty potato salad.
Storage & Reheating
Store the sweet pickles in a cool, dark place, ideally in a sealed glass jar. They can last for several months if kept properly. Once opened, refrigerate to maintain freshness. Enjoy them chilled or at room temperature, but avoid heat as it can diminish their crunchiness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mama'S Sweet Pickles contains roughly 479 calories, with 11g protein, 120g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (202% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (79% of the Daily Value), and potassium (26% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron. It also contributes 22g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do these pickles need to sit before they're ready to eat?
The pickles should ideally sit for at least two weeks after the initial brining process to develop their flavors fully. However, after adding the sugar and letting them sit for a total of about 72 hours, you can start enjoying them. The longer they sit, the more flavors will meld together.
Can I use different types of vinegar for this recipe?
Yes, while cold cider vinegar is traditional for this recipe, you can experiment with white wine vinegar or malt vinegar for a different flavor profile. Each type will impart its unique taste to the pickles, so feel free to adjust based on your preference.
What can I do if my pickles are too sweet?
If you find the pickles too sweet for your liking, you can balance the sweetness by adding a little more vinegar to the mixture or serving them with a tangy dish like Holiday Coleslaw. Adjusting the sugar in future batches can also help tailor them to your taste.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).