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A jar filled with spicy sweet refrigerator pickles, cut lengthwise, immersed in a brine with visible spices like mustard seeds and peppercorns. Fresh cucumber slices lie next to the jar on a light-colored surface.

Spicy Sweet Refrigerator Pickles

Melissa Griffiths
Transform ordinary cucumbers into crave-worthy Spicy Sweet Refrigerator Pickles with this quick 30-minute recipe. The perfect balance of heat and sweetness makes these homemade pickles irresistible for snacking, sandwiches, and family gatherings.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 36 minutes
Servings 20 (Makes 2 cups of pickles)
Calories 27 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 medium or 5-6 small cucumbers (Kirby are great, about 2 cups.)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons black peppercorns
  • 2 teaspoons whole yellow mustard seed
  • 1-3 teaspoons red pepper flakes

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the cucumbers by slicing them how you like, spears or rounds. Place them in a glass mason jar or a bowl.
  • In a medium pan, add the water, vinegar, sugar, salt, peppercorns, whole mustard seed, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
  • Over medium-high heat, bring the mixture to a boil and boil for one minute. Remove from the heat and pour the mixture over the prepared cucumbers.
  • Let the cucumbers and vinegar mixture rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  • Keep pickles in the fridge, submerged in the brine, for up to a week for maximum crispiness.

Notes

  • For more spiciness, sub in fresh jalapeño slices for the red pepper flakes!
  • You can add a clove or two of fresh garlic cut in half to the brine if you like garlic pickles.
  • Add fresh or dried dill to taste for dill pickles.
  • A generous tablespoon of pickling spice can be substituted for the whole peppercorns and mustard seeds.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 of 20 picklesCalories: 27kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 0.3gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.02gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.04gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 352mgPotassium: 38mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 47IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 0.1mg
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