Old-Fashioned Bread and Butter Pickles

Here’s a true Old-Fashioned Bread and Butter Pickles recipe—sweet, tangy, crunchy, and just like grandma used to make Perfect for sandwiches, burgers, and summer meals.

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 Old-Fashioned Bread & Butter Pickles

⏱ Time

• Prep: 20 minutes

• Resting (salting): 2 hours

• Cooking: 15 minutes

🫙 Yield

• About 3–4 pint jars

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🧾 Ingredients

Vegetables

• 2 kg pickling cucumbers (sliced ¼-inch thick)

• 2 large onions, thinly sliced

Salting

• ¼ cup pickling salt (or coarse salt)

Pickling Syrup

• 2½ cups white vinegar

• 2 cups sugar

• 1½ tsp mustard seeds

• 1 tsp celery seeds

• 1 tsp turmeric

• ½ tsp ground cloves (optional, old-fashioned flavor)

• ½ tsp black peppercorns

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👩‍🍳 Directions (Step-by-Step)

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Step 1: Slice & Salt

1. Place sliced cucumbers and onions in a large bowl.

2. Sprinkle with salt and toss gently.

3. Cover with ice or cold water.

4. Let sit for 2 hours.

👉 This step keeps pickles crisp.

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Step 2: Rinse & Drain

1. Drain the vegetables.

2. Rinse thoroughly under cold water.

3. Drain well and gently squeeze out excess moisture.

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Step 3: Make the Syrup

1. In a large saucepan, combine vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, celery seeds, turmeric, cloves, and peppercorns.

2. Bring to a gentle boil.

3. Stir until sugar dissolves.

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Step 4: Add Vegetables

1. Add cucumbers and onions to the hot syrup.

2. Simmer 5–7 minutes, just until cucumbers turn light green.

3. Do not overcook—they should stay crisp.

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Step 5: Jar the Pickles

1. Spoon hot pickles and syrup into clean jars.

2. Let cool slightly.

3. Seal tightly.

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Step 6: Chill & Rest

• Refrigerate at least 24 hours before eating.

• Flavor improves after 3–5 days.

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⭐ Tips for Perfect Old-Fashioned Pickles

• Use small, firm cucumbers

• Don’t skip the ice soak

• Turmeric gives the classic golden color

• Pickling salt prevents cloudiness

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🧊 Storage

• Refrigerator: Up to 2 months

• For shelf-stable canning: Use a water-bath canning method

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🍔 How to Use

• Burgers & sandwiches

• Potato salad

• Cheese boards

• Chopped into tuna or egg salad

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🔁 Variations

• Less Sweet: Reduce sugar to 1½ cups

• Spicy: Add sliced jalapeños

• Extra Crunch: Add grape leaves or a pinch of alum