Sweet Pickle Strips
Sweet pickle strips offer a tangy, sweet, and crunchy treat perfect for snacking or adding flavor to sandwiches, appealing to pickle lovers and those who enjoy homemade condiments.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Wash cucumbers and cut them into strips.
- Pour boiling water over the cucumber strips and let stand for 4 to 5 hours.
- Drain the cucumbers and pack them solidly into jars.
- Bring the vinegar, sugar, salt, celery seed, and mustard seed to a boil and cook for 5 minutes.
- Pour the hot pickling solution over the packed cucumbers in the jars.
- Process in a hot water bath for 5 minutes to seal.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your sweet pickle strips, consider adding a pinch of ground cinnamon or ginger to the pickling solution. If you like a bit of heat, you can include red pepper flakes. For a lower sugar option, try using a sugar substitute that measures like sugar. Ensure your jars are sterilized properly to maintain freshness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your sweet pickle strips as a tangy accompaniment to sandwiches or burgers, or as a side with grilled meats like Zesty Barbecued Ribs. They also add a delightful crunch to salads, such as a Cucumber-Dill Pasta Salad. For a refreshing drink, pair with a glass of Lemon-Grape Shimmer.
Storage & Reheating
Store the sealed jars of sweet pickle strips in a cool, dark place for up to one year. Once opened, keep them in the refrigerator and consume within a month. For best flavor, allow the pickles to sit for at least a week before tasting; this will enhance the sweetness and flavor.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sweet Pickle Strips contains roughly 555 calories, with 9g protein, 127g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (146% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (61% of the Daily Value), and iron (38% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 464mg per serving (20% 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 different types of cucumbers for this recipe?
Yes, while pickling cucumbers are ideal, you can also use slicing cucumbers or even kirbys. Just ensure they are firm and fresh for the best results.
How long do the pickles need to sit before they are ready to eat?
For the best flavor, it's recommended to let the pickles sit for at least a week after processing. This allows the flavors to meld and intensify.
Can I adjust the sweetness of the pickles?
Absolutely! You can reduce the sugar amount to suit your taste. Just keep in mind that this may alter the preservation quality slightly, so adjust accordingly.
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).