Refrigerator Sweet Pickles Recipe (2024)

Published: Aug 19, 2022 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

Do not let the pickle-making process intimidate you! These refrigerator sweet pickles come together quickly and you will not even believe how delicious they are in the end!

Original post: August 2015 | Updated: August 2022

Why This Recipe Works

Have you ever watched the caterpillar to butterfly transformation? Of course I have always known how it works, but every time I watch it I see a complete miracle. There is no other way to describe it!

While not exactly on the same miraculous level, I am always amazed at how cucumbers so deliciously turn into pickles. A friend of ours graciously gave me a huge bag of cucumbers from her July and August harvests and I was super excited to get them into my kitchen.

Enjoy my tried and tested sweet pickles recipe and experience the miracle for yourself. This is such an easy recipe and one you’ll come back to again and again.

Recipe Ingredients

Cucumbers– Use approximately 5 large cucumbers, equalling 6-8cupsthinly sliced cucumbers.

Onion – Yellow, white or red onions may be used.

Peppers – Use jalapenos, serrano peppers or any other variety of hot peppers.

Vinegar – Ideally 1 cup of applecider vinegar with 1/2 cup white vinegar is used for this recipe.

Pickling spice – Replace 2tablespoonspickling spicewith 1 1/2 teaspoon celery seed and 1 1/2 teaspoon mustard seed, if desired.

How To Make Sweet Refrigerator Pickles

Change up your pickled routine and instead of dill pickles, try these pickled cucumbers. They are a delicious snack and a great way to use your garden’s bounty!

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumber and onion slices and peppers (if using). Mix well. Stuff the contents of the bowl equally into two prepared 1-quart canning jars.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, pickling spices (or your combination of celery seeds and mustard seeds) and kosher salt. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to Medium. Stir to dissolve the sugar, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 3

Divide the vinegar mixture between the two sterilized, hot mason jars (place in boiling water or run through the dishwasher). Fill jars with water, if needed, so that the cucumbers are completely covered with liquid.

Screw lids onto jars and set in a cool place to come to room temperature. The lids will begin to make a “popping” sound as they seal, which may take some time. They are ready for eating after a minimum of 1 hour or up to 2 months. Cover and refrigerate when you are done enjoying them!

Recipe Notes

• If you plan for these to last a while, make sure the jars are piping hot (place them in boiling water for 10 minutes or run them through the dishwasher) before screwing on the lids. The seals will pop after a few minutes.
• Adding peppers adds a nice touch. It does not make them too spicy, I promise. Both ways are delicious.
• Feel free to dice up some sweet pickles and make a delicious relish out of it! Throw them onto a hot dog served in a bun or over a sandwich. It’s also good alongside pork chops or with crackers and cheese.
• Add spice to these by using extra hot peppers, as well as red pepper flakes.
• For a less sweet version, create refrigerator dill pickles by cutting down on the sugar or omitting it entirely. Add fresh dill, as well.

How Long Can Pickles Last Unrefrigerated

If you have a jar of pickles staring at you and you are wondering whether to toss or eat, read this post about how long pickles can be left out of the fridge. You will learn everything you need to know about diving into a batch of pickled cucumbers safely.

Bread and Butter Pickles vs Sweet Pickles

Recipes to enjoy these two kinds of pickles are similar, but the sugars, spices and mustard seeds vary between the two and the brine tends to be thicker with b&b pickles. Try these delicious pickles and see how easy they are to make, then you can branch out!

Delicious Pickle Recipe Ideas

• Pickle Pizza
• Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwich
• Best Chicken Salad Sandwiches
• Chicken Vegetable Soup Recipe (aka Pantry Soup)
• Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
• Dill Pickle Relish

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If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!