Easy Fridge Pickles

Name: Easy Fridge Pickles
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 495 min
Ingredients: 1 pound English cucumbers; 1 cup thinly sliced yellow onion; 1 1/2 cups distilled white vinegar; 1/2 cup sugar; 2 teaspoons mustard seeds; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

JUMP TO RECIPE

These are the best Easy Fridge Pickles! They give you the tangy, crunchy goodness of pickles in just a few quick and easy steps. We promise they taste better than store-bought!

I’ve always been a big fan of pickles but making them, not so much! The whole pressure-cooking, canning process isn’t my forte. However, these Easy Fridge Pickles have simple ingredients, take 15 minutes to prep in a quick brine, and are absolutely delicious!

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These pickles not only add zing to your meals but also make for an irresistible quick snack. They’re a perfect way to make the most of those garden-fresh cucumbers and are excellent to serve at all your spring and summer potlucks and get-togethers!

Say goodbye to boring bites and hello to pickle perfection! Serve these homemade pickles on your next Charcuterie Board or alongside Pineapple Cream Cheese Dip and 4-Ingredient Guacamole Recipe for the perfect snack spread!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Quick and Easy Recipe. No canning equipment, special skills, or lengthy process needed for quick refrigerator pickles—just a handful of ingredients, mix, chill, and enjoy!
Customizable Flavors. Adjust the sweetness, spice, and tang to match your personal taste.
Perfect Snack or Side. These easy refrigerator dill pickles are great on sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, or straight out of the jar. In fact, take a jar of pickles to your next party and they’ll be the showstopper!
Homemade Tastes Better. Skip the store-bought pickles and enjoy the freshness of homemade.

What You’ll Need

Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

English Cucumbers: These cucumbers are crisp, with fewer seeds and thinner skins, making them ideal for quick pickling. They’re our favorite for pickle chips!
Yellow or Sweet Onion: Adds a mild sweetness and depth of flavor.
Distilled White Vinegar: The main component of the brine, providing that classic tangy pickle flavor.
Sugar: Balances the acidity of the vinegar and adds a touch of sweetness.
Mustard Seeds: Infuses the pickles with a subtle, earthy spice.
Kosher Salt: Helps to draw out moisture from the cucumbers, enhancing their crunch and flavor.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a little heat, giving these quick pickles a slight spicy kick.

The ingredients to make overnight pickles.

Tools You’ll Need

How to Make Easy Fridge Pickles

In a saucepan, combine vinegar, salt, crushed red pepper flakes, sugar and mustard seeds. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir the mixture until the salt and sugar have completely dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove the brine from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.

Brine in a saucepan ready to be poured on cucumbers In a jar.

Wash the cucumbers thoroughly. Trim off the ends, and then slice them into 1/8-1/4 inch round slices with a knife or mandolin.

Pack the cucumber slices and onions in layers in a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid. Make sure to leave about an inch of headspace at the top of the jar to allow for expansion.

Packing cucumbers and onions in a glass jar.

Once the brine has cooled, carefully pour it over the cucumbers, ensuring they are fully submerged. The brine should cover the cucumbers completely. If needed, use a clean spoon to press down the cucumbers gently.

Seal the jar tightly and refrigerate it overnight, or for at least 8 hours.

Tips and Substitutions

Cucumber Varieties. While English cucumbers work best, you can also use pickling cucumbers, mini cucumbers, or Persian cucumbers. You can also make them into pickle spears if you prefer.
Sweetness Adjustment. Feel free to add more or less sugar depending on your preference for sweetness; honey or agave syrup can also be used as alternatives.
Flavor Boosters. Try adding fresh garlic cloves, fresh herbs like fresh dill, fresh rosemary or thyme, or fresh spices like coriander seeds or bay leaves for added flavor.
Spice Level. If you prefer milder pickles, reduce or omit the crushed red pepper flakes. For extra heat, kick it up with more! You could also add sliced fresh jalapeño peppers or black peppercorns.
Onion Options. Red or yellow onions can be used instead of white; red onions add a nice color and sweetness.

Easy Refrigerator Pickle Variations

Dill Pickles: Add fresh dill sprigs and garlic cloves to the brine for a classic dill flavor.
Bread and Butter Pickles: If you prefer sweet pickles, increase the sugar to 3/4 cup and add turmeric and celery seed for that sweet, tangy flavor.
Spicy Pickles: Double the crushed red pepper flakes or add a few dashes of hot sauce to the brine.

Storage

DO NOT make refrigerator pickles in a plastic container as the acidic solution will leach plastic into them.

Store refrigerator pickles overnight or up to 4 days before enjoying. This recipe is NOT shelf stable, so you need to leave it in the refrigerator. These pickles are best enjoyed within 2 weeks of making. It is not recommend to freeze and thaw.

Give the pickles a gentle shake or stir before serving to redistribute the brine and flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are easy fridge pickles safe?

Refrigerator pickles that call for enough vinegar (5% acetic acid) can be safely stored in the refrigerator below 40°F up to a month. Some recipes claim a longer refrigerator-shelf life.

How many cups of sliced cucumbers is 1 pound of English cucumbers?

One pound will yield about 3 cups of sliced cucumbers.

How long do easy refrigerator pickles last?

They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a few weeks. However, they’re best consumed within the first couple of weeks when their flavors are at their peak. Over time, the pickles may become softer and less crunchy.

Do I need to sterilize jars before making easy refrigerator pickles?

It’s not necessary to sterilize the jars since they will be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within a couple weeks. However, make sure the jars and lids are clean and free of any residue/contaminants.

Can I reuse the brine for another batch of pickles?

It’s generally recommended NOT to reuse the brine for subsequent batches of pickles.

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