Six-Weeks Bread-N-Butter Pickles
Sweet and tangy bread-and-butter pickles with a crisp texture, perfect for adding flavor to sandwiches and salads. Suitable for pickle lovers and those craving homemade condiments.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Wash whole cucumbers and pack them whole into a gallon (or smaller) jar.
- Add 4 teaspoons salt to the jar and fill with vinegar.
- Let stand for six weeks in a cool place.
- Pour off all vinegar and discard it.
- Slice the cucumbers.
Tips & Substitutions
For best results, use pickling cucumbers, which have a firmer texture. If you prefer a sweeter pickle, increase the sugar to suit your taste. Experiment with pickling spices, adding dill or mustard seeds for extra flavor. Ensure the cucumbers are fully submerged in vinegar to prevent spoilage. This recipe is a great way to utilize seasonal cucumbers from your garden or local farmers' market.
Serving Suggestions
These bread-and-butter pickles make a delightful addition to sandwiches, burgers, or charcuterie boards. They pair beautifully with American recipes like fried chicken or pulled pork. For a refreshing side, serve them alongside Mary Lou's Christmas Layered Salad. They're also excellent on their own as a crunchy snack.
Storage & Reheating
Once prepared, these pickles can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. Keep them in an airtight container to maintain their crispness. If you have leftover brine, it can be reused for another batch of pickles. To enjoy them later, simply slice and serve cold; no reheating is necessary.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Six-Weeks Bread-N-Butter Pickles contains roughly 2 calories, with 0g protein, 0g carbohydrates, and 0g fat. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 488mg per serving (21% of the Daily Value).
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
Can I use larger cucumbers for this recipe?
While you can use larger cucumbers, they might not have the same crunch and flavor as smaller pickling cucumbers. If using larger ones, slice them into smaller pieces to ensure they pickle well and absorb the flavors.
How can I adjust the spice level of the pickles?
To adjust the spice level, try adding red pepper flakes or whole peppercorns to the pickling spice mix. Start with a small amount and taste to find your preferred heat level. Removing spices after the initial soak can also help control the intensity.
What should I do if my pickles are too salty?
If your pickles turn out too salty, you can soak them in fresh water for a few hours to draw out some of the salt. Alternatively, serve them alongside a creamy dip to balance the flavors or use them in recipes where their saltiness can be diluted.
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).