This small-batch refrigerator sweet dill pickle recipe perfectly combines sweet and dill flavors. It's quick, easy, and oh-so-delicious. Plus, you don't need any fancy canning equipment - just a quart jar and a fridge!
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Why I'm Obsessed with These Sweet Dill Pickles
As someone who loves pickles but doesn't always have the time (or patience) for traditional canning, this recipe is one of my new favorites. The first time I made these, I was amazed at how simple they were and how quickly I had crispy, flavorful pickles ready to eat.
What really sold me on this recipe was the perfect balance of flavors. The sweetness isn't overpowering, and the dill gives it that classic pickle flavor. These pickles are so good you will be eating them as snacks.
Ingredients You'll Need
The magic of these refrigerator pickles is in the simple ingredients. Here's what you'll need for one quart:
- Cucumbers: Use enough sliced cucumbers to fill a quart jar.
- Fresh dill. This gives them that classic dill pickle flavor.
- Garlic. For just the right amount of garlic flavor.
- Brine. This is a simple brine made with white vinegar, water, white sugar, and pickling salt. You can use kosher salt as well.
How to Make These Sweet Dill Pickles
It's super easy to make these pickles. Here's what you do:
- Wash your quart jar and lid with hot, soapy water. Rinse well.
- Slice your cucumbers to your preferred thickness. I like them about ¼ inch thick.
- Mix the vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in a saucepan. Heat it up, stirring until the sugar and salt dissolve. Let it cool a bit.
- Add one head of dill and two garlic cloves to the bottom of a quart jar. Pack the jar with the cucumber slices until it's about one inch from the top. Add another head of dill and another garlic clove on top.
- Pour the cooled brine over the cucumbers until they're completely covered.
- Put the lid on and gently shake the jar to distribute the flavors.
- Pop it in the fridge and try to wait at least 24 hours before digging in! That's it! In just one day, you'll have crispy, flavorful pickles ready to enjoy.
Mix It Up: Variations to Try
Want to put your own spin on these pickles? Here are some ideas:
- Spicy Sweet: Add a sliced jalapeño, black peppercorns, or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the jar.
- Extra Garlicky: Throw in a couple more cloves of garlic.
- Herby: Add sprigs of fresh thyme or oregano along with the dill.
- Onion Lovers: Add some thinly sliced onion to the jar.
Feel free to adjust the sugar amount if you want them to be more or less sweet. You can even try using apple cider vinegar for a different flavor.
Top Tips for Pickle Perfection
- Use the freshest cucumbers you can find. The fresher they are, the crispier your pickles will be.
- Don't skip the cooling step for the brine. Pouring hot brine over your cucumbers can make them soggy.
- Make sure your cucumbers are completely submerged in the brine.
- These pickles will keep in the fridge for about a month (if they last that long!).
- Taste your pickles after a few days. If you want them sweeter or more garlicky, you can always add more sugar or garlic to the jar.
What to Serve with Your Homemade Pickles
Some of my favorite ways to use these sweet dill pickles is to:
- Chop them up for the best homemade tartar sauce you've ever had.
- Use the pickle juice in my creamy red-skin potato salad.
- Add them to sandwiches, smash burgers, or Big mac smash burger tacos for extra flavor.
- Serve them alongside cheese on a charcuterie board.
- Eat them straight out of the jar for a crunchy snack!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Absolutely! Spears work great too. They might need an extra day or two to fully pickle, but they're perfect for snacking.
Fresh is best, but you could use 1-2 teaspoons of dill seeds instead. The flavor won't be as bright, but they'll still be delicious.
Sure thing! These pickles are pretty sweet, so you can start with ½ cup of sugar if you like a less sweet pickle. You can always add more later if you like.
They'll keep for about a month in the fridge. But honestly, in my house, they never last that long!
Yes, you can process these pickles in a water bath canner for 10 minutes to make them shelf-stable for up to one year.
Recipe
Crispy Refrigerator Sweet Dill Pickles
Ingredients
- 1 pound cucumbers with peel
- 2 large heads of dill
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup white vinegar 5% acidity
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white sugar
- ½ tablespoon pickling salt coarse salt
Instructions
- Wash a quart-sized glass jar and lid with hot, soapy water. Rinse well and set aside.
- Slice cucumbers to your preferred thickness (about ¼ inch is ideal).
- In a saucepan, combine vinegar, water, sugar, and pickling salt. Heat over medium-high, stirring, until the sugar and salt dissolve. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Place one dill head and two garlic cloves at the bottom of the jar. Add the cucumber slices until they are about 1 inch from the top, then add another dill head and one garlic clove.
- Pour the cooled brine over the cucumbers, covering them completely.
- Secure the lid and gently shake the jar to distribute flavors.
- Refrigerate for at least 24 hours before eating. Pickles will continue to develop flavor over the next few days. Store in the refrigerator and consume within 1 month. Note: These pickles are not shelf-stable and must be kept refrigerated.
Recipe Notes:
- These pickles are ready to eat in just 24 hours.
- You can also use apple cider vinegar.
- You can also cut the cucumbers into spears instead of slices.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to one month.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
About Jeri Walker
Jeri Walker is the founder and CEO of Winding Creek Ranch. She is a self-taught home cook who specializes in easy family-friendly recipes. Jeri is also a food writer who regularly writes articles for MSN. Read about Jeri's journey and connect with her on your favorite social media channels!
Criss
I made these Crispy Refrigerator Sweet Dill Pickles, and they turned out fantastic! Perfect crunch and flavor. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Jeri Walker
Awesome! I'm so glad you liked them! 🙂
Swathi
Sweet dill pickles is perfect and delicious, so crisp and crunchy taste.
Juyali
Made these for my daughter who is a pickles lover. They are going very quickly already! Super easy recipe! 🙂
Jeri Walker
That's awesome! I'm glad your daughter liked them! 🙂
DK
This is such an easy recipe to follow. Love the perfect balance of the flavors especially the sweetness! Can't wait to do more of these!
Jeri Walker
Thanks so much! I'm glad you found them so easy to make! 🙂
Nicole Kendrick
These pickles are the best! The combo of sweet and dill has always been a favorite of mine, and I love how crispy they stay!
Jeri Walker
Thanks Nicole! I'm so glad you liked them!