Easy Homemade Dill Pickles
Make your own homemade dill pickles with this easy recipe! Customize flavors and enjoy fresh, crunchy pickles right from your kitchen.
Ingredients
Pickling Ingredients
- 12 pounds cucumbers well rinsed with ends trimmed
- ½ tablespoon peppercorns (5 per jar)
- 16 cloves garlic (2 per jar)
- 2-3 twigs fresh dill (per jar)
- 12 cups water (cold or lukewarm)
- 2 cups distilled white vinegar (5% or 6% acidity)
- ⅔ cup fine salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar (plus 1 tablespoon, 115g total)
- 5 leaves bay leaves
Instructions
Sterilizing Jars
- Wash all jars and lids with warm soapy water.
- Sterilize the lids by fully submerging them in boiling water for 4-5 minutes and then pat dry.
- Preheat the oven to 215°F (100°C) and place jars upside down on the oven racks to dry for 20 minutes or until completely dry.
Making Pickling Brine
- In a large pot, mix together 12 cups of water, 2 cups of vinegar, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 2/3 cup of salt.
- Add the 5 bay leaves, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let it rest for 10 minutes before discarding the bay leaves.
Filling Jars
- Cut off both ends of the cucumbers and wash them thoroughly.
- In each jar, add a couple of fresh dill twigs, garlic cloves, and black peppercorns at the bottom.
- Tightly pack the jars with the cucumbers and pour the pickling brine over them, leaving about 1/2 inch space at the top.
- Cover with lids but do not completely seal yet.
Processing Jars
- Place a kitchen towel at the bottom of the pot to prevent jars from touching directly.
- Place the filled jars into the canning pot and fill with warm water, about 2 inches below the top of the jars.
- Cover with lid, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low and process for about 15 minutes.
- Remove jars using a jar lifter and tighten lids, then flip jars upside down and insulate with towels.
- Leave undisturbed at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours.
Storing Jars
- Store the pickles in a cool place.
Notes
Choose fresh, firm cucumbers for best results. Adjust garlic and dill to taste preference. Ensure brine fully covers cucumbers for proper pickling.